During an offseason that centered around Jalen Hurts‘ extension, the Eagles cut costs at safety and linebacker. Both positions suffered due to the exits of Super Bowl LVII starters, and injuries played a major role at each spot. The team is planning to adjust its approach this year.
The Eagles, who released 2023 trade pickup Kevin Byard last week, are expected to make a significant addition at safety, according to the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora. The market is becoming crowded, with the Seahawks (Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs), Broncos (Justin Simmons) and Bills (Jordan Poyer) sending longtime DB pillars to street free agency.
One player who should be monitored here: C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Reports indicated the Eagles made an offer to the NFL’s 2022 co-INT leader last year, but Gardner-Johnson denied that happened. Regardless of how CJGJ exited last year, the Eagles pivoted to paying corners. Dominoes did not fall in Gardner-Johnson’s direction, as he accepted a one-year, $6.5MM Lions deal days later. The Eagles, however, realized they missed the versatile defender’s presence, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.
Philly ended up going with Byard and Reed Blankenship as its primary safeties down the stretch, and the team cratered following a 10-1 start. Rookie contributor Sydney Brown may well begin next season on the reserve/PUP list due to the ACL tear he suffered in the team’s regular-season finale. One year remains on Blankenship’s contract, though he was a backup in 2022 behind Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps. The latter signed a two-year, $12MM Raiders deal in 2023.
Gardner-Johnson may need to accept another “prove it” deal after he missed nearly all of last season due to a pectoral tear. Though, CJGJ was among the players who made it back from an early-season pec tear to suit up before year’s end. Gardner-Johnson came off IR in Week 18 but did not return to a starting role with Detroit. The Titans should also be a team to watch for Gardner-Johnson, Fowler adds, with new Tennessee DC Dennard Wilson a fan from his time coaching Philadelphia’s DBs. Vic Fangio also coached Simmons for three seasons in Denver, being the team’s HC when it authorized a then-record extension in 2021.
Elsewhere in the Eagles’ secondary, Howie Roseman said they are keeping James Bradberry for the 2024 season. Considering Bradberry has an $8.85MM salary guarantee for the 2024 season (as part of a $20MM guarantee package from his second Eagles agreement), this is hardly surprising. But it does make age an issue in the Eagles’ secondary. Bradberry will be 31 next season, while Darius Slay turned 33 earlier this year. It could make the Eagles cautious about adding a 30-something at safety on this year’s market.
Get it done howie he’s a good player when healthy
I wouldn’t be surprise if they reach out to Simmons too considering he’s played in Fangio’s system (very well, too).