Philadelphia Eagles 3/13/24 news and links.

What else can the Eagles do with their free agency? – Voice of Philadelphia
Linebacker: The safety position outperformed the free agency linebacker crop. A few linebackers were targeted early by the Eagles, but they signed with other clubs. Numerous elite linebackers, including Jordan Hicks, Eric Kendricks, Lavonte David, Willie Gay, Anthony Walker, Blake Cashman, Patrick Queen, and Josey Jewell, have already inked contracts with other teams in the league. There are still guys like Tyrel Dodson, Bobby Wagner, Devin White, and Jerome Baker. It would be fascinating to see whether the Eagles decide to go to the trade market or if they still like any of the available alternatives for linebackers. In addition, they might try to sign Zach Cunningham again, regardless of any other decisions taken at

There’s a good chance the Eagles would be interested in Fields if the Bears manage to make him a cheap backup option. Perfectly embodies The QB Factory motto. A more seasoned backup is perhaps required now that Marcus Mariota is joining the Washington Commanders. Tanner McKee, I would now contend, ought to have a fair chance to compete for the No. 2 spot. And I think less of Fields than virtually everybody else; ever since he was drafted, I’ve continuously questioned if he can pull it all together. He is far worse than far too many will acknowledge. It is possible for more than one thing to be true at once: he is genuinely awful, and this is reflected in the fact that the Bears have not assisted him to the best of their ability.

RJ Ochoa and Brandon Lee Gowton discuss the Cowboys’ (nearly none), Eagles’, Giants’, and Commanders’ free agency moves thus far.

In 2018, as a rookie, he became just the second running back in NFL history with 1,300 rushing yards, a 5.0 average, and 90 receptions, behind LaDainian Tomlinson. He was just the ninth athlete in history to record two seasons in 2022 with 1,300 running yards, 10 touchdowns, and 50 receptions. Here’s the problem, though. Barkley has only had those few outstanding seasons. He fell from second place in the league in rushing in 2019 to fifteenth place. His torn ACL caused him to miss the most of the 2020 season. His meager 3.7 yards per carry average in 2021 placed him 45th out of 50 running backs with at least 100 carries. Furthermore, in nine of the 14 games played last year, he averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per carry.

signed Barkley for $157.6 million per year. So here’s the conundrum: When Barkley is at his best, he’s clearly a more explosive, more productive player than Swift. But not only is Swift two years younger, he’s got about half as many career touches as Barkley (1,511 to 802), he’s never had a serious injury and he’s also never had a down year, although obviously last year was his first as a full-time starting back.

CJGJ could play nickel or safety. I’m projecting him at safety since that is what he played here in 2022. His versatility is another of his selling points. Vic Fangio can be creative with him. The other benefit with CJGJ is the edge he brings. He’s a fiery, emotional player. He loves to talk trash. That part of him was certainly missing last year as the defense was softer than Charmin. CJGJ’s attitude will be a welcome addition to the Eagles defense. Parker comes to Philly to compete for the #3 receiver job. He peaked in 2019, but now is a 30-catch guy with good size. Think of him as a younger, less talented version of Julio Jones. Parker will have to earn his roster spot. There is no guarantee of that, but this will be the best QB he’s played with in a while. This will be the best offense he’s been on in a while. That could spark him to play better. Still, he’s just a #3 type at this point. I think the Eagles will spend a draft pick on a receiver so there will be competition. Parker won’t be handed anything.

New York let Barkley’s contract lapse without a serious offer for him to stay. But he wasn’t single for long. The Eagles swooping in is soul-crushing to me as a Giants fan, but fascinating as an observer. Saquon essentially got a contract that’s similar to the one that Nick Chubb received from the Browns three years ago, but the salary cap is more than a third higher than when Chubb signed (from roughly $716 million to $882.6million). Chubb was also negotiating with one team, while Saquon was a free agent with options. That the Eagles’ offer was probably the highest he could get is yet more evidence that running back value has decreased (in proportion to the salary cap) over the past few years. Perhaps the Eagles feel Barkley can rediscover the explosiveness that he lost after a high ankle sprain in 2019 and torn ACL in 2020. They might be right to zig as everyone else zags. The Eagles are signing a top-five running back for less money than the Jaguars are going to give former Bills receiver Gabe Davis (three years for $156 million).

He will look very, very good. I can almost guarantee that. You can’t often say that about a free-agent signing. His ability to catch the ball and pass-protect are unlike any the Eagles have had in their backfield in a long time. Kellen Moore’s offenses have historically featured running backs with Barkley’s power and pass-catching profile. Not only will he give Jalen Hurts a reliable outlet to turn to, the attention he draws from a defense will help open up the middle of the field. Barkley is not Christian McCaffrey, whose body control and route-running ability are in a tier by itself. But Barkley has a skill set that sets him far apart from virtually every other NFL back. We saw the impact that can have with the Niners’ run to the Super Bowl this season. Barkley probably won’t make that kind of difference with the Eagles — Hurts and the defense will need to do that. But when you consider the nature of this team, he is a near perfect fit.

Grade: B. And they say you can’t go home again! Gardner-Johnson returns to Philadelphia after a one-year stint with the Lions. He played just three games for Detroit in 2023 after tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 2, which opened the door for rookie Brian Branch to slide into the starting lineup. Now Gardner-Johnson returns to Philly, where he helped form a dominant secondary during the 2022 season. A fourth-round draft choice in 2019 by the Saints, he has become one of the league’s best slot defenders. His 2022 season with the Eagles saw him grab six interceptions, tied for most in the NFL. The ball skills to flip the field will come in handy, as the Eagles tied for 25th in team interceptions last season with nine. A revamped secondary is a huge priority for the Eagles this offseason, and bringing back a familiar face should be a huge boost to the overall talent of the group. Doing so at a maximum average value of $11 million per season is also a win for Philly. While the deal is slightly north of the three-year, $5o million contract given to nickel defender Kenny Moore II by the Colts, it’s in line with the player Gardner-Johnson was before injury in 2023. Now the Eagles will bet on the 26-year-old to lead a defensive backfield that could

As usual, Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman did what fans hoped the Cowboys would do, and made what Philadelphia hopes will be ‘all-in’ caliber moves. They signed RB Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $57.5M deal, in a shocking move that instantly elevated their offense. They didn’t stop there, the team also added DE Bryce Huff, who is fresh off a 10-sack season with the New York Jets.

2024 free agency: Giants sign safety Jalen Mills – Big Blue View
Mills might not replace Xavier McKinney in the back end of the Giants’ defense, but he will continue to add to a versatile group. Similar to Nick McCloud, Mills started his career but has evolved into a versatile DB who can play corner or safety. He’s allowed 60 percent or (less) completion dating back to 2018, and has only allowed 3 touchdowns in coverage over the last two years.

There were questions as to whether Washington might try to re-sign safety Kamren Curl this offseason, and those seem to have been put to bed with the 1-year deal just struck with former Panther Jeremy Chinn. During his first two seasons in Carolina, Chinn was a monster, finishing second to Chase Young in the Defensive Rookie of the Year standings in 2020. Over the past two seasons, his production has dropped off, with some suggesting he was misused by Panthers’ DC Ejiro Evero as a safety, as opposed to more of a buffalo nickel role