Ronald Darby is returning to Philly. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the 25-year-old cornerback is re-signing with the Eagles. It will be a one-year deal for Darby worth $8.5MM (via Rapoport on Twitter).
The cornerback had additional suitors, including the Chiefs, with whom he met this week. Other teams were interested in Darby as well, with Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweeting he discussed one-year and multiyear deals as well.
However, Darby decided to opt for a one-year deal with a familiar franchise as he works his way back from an ACL tear. The former second-rounder underwent surgery in November, so there’s a chance that he won’t be ready for the start of the regular season.
Darby started all nine of his appearances in 2018, compiling 43 tackles, 12 passes defended, and one interception. However, an ACL tear ended his season prematurely, forcing him to sit out the second half of the campaign. Despite his injury, Darby still earned high marks from Pro Football Focus; the site ultimately ranked him 39th among 112 eligible cornerbacks.
If Darby is forced to miss any time, the Eagles have enough depth to get by. Rasul Douglas and Jalen Mills are currently projected as the team’s starters, while the team is also rostering Sidney Jones, Cre’Von LeBlanc, and Chandon Sullivan.
A one-year prove-it deal looks good for the Eagles. Darby can ease in if he’s not 100% to start the season given the depth that is there.
+1
All those injuries in the secondary last season led to a lot of those guys at the bottom of the depth chart getting some experience. Bodes well for the future
While I like the signing, I hope this doesnt send LeBlanc to the back of the CB line. Dude showed breakout potential to be a stud corner last season.
Where did Philly suddenly get all of this cap space? I know they dumped Foles and restructured Long’s deal, but for a team that started out very close to the cap, they have made a significant amount of FA signings at fairly high average annual values too. Hats off to Philly’s salary cap guy. He’s squeezing every ounce of juice out of the payroll.
In Howie we trust!
They restructured several contracts Bradham, Long, Lane Johnson and Foles walked opening up a ton of space.
Lot of money for a guy that’s rarely available and gets beat a lot even with all that speed.
Still enough cap to make a move, restructure Brooks. Think they trade for Shady, Bill’s would probably deal him given his age and it’s a walk yr. The Bills could go RB in the draft, young QB young RB grow together. Wouldn’t rule out Fournette. Not seeing a Duke Johnson or David Johnson trade. If not one of those 2nds has RB written on it.