HEADLINES

Philadelphia Eagles News & Rumors

Draft Notes: Barton, ’30’ Visits, Wilson

April 1st, 2024 at 12:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2024 tackle class has drawn rave reviews in the lead-in to this month’s draft, but Graham Barton is among those expected to play on the inside upon entering the NFL. The Duke product has nevertheless helped his draft stock recently.

Barton was already gaining steam as a rising prospect before his Pro Day, as noted by ESPN’s Jordan Reid. He battled injuries during the 2023 season and was forced to miss the Senior Bowl as a result, but the two-time All-American managed to take part in the Blue Devils’ Pro Day last week. Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports Barton’s performance was highly impressive, and it secured his status as a Day 1 prospect.

Following up on the strong workout, Reid notes Barton could now work his way into the top 15 come draft night. Many NFL teams view the first-team All-ACC selection as a center, but he could also see time at guard at the pro level. Wherever he lines up as a rookie, Barton will face high expectations and no doubt draw the attention of many teams near the top of the order in need of reinforcements up front.

Here are some other draft-related notes from around the NFL:

  • Missouri’s Darius Robinson has also seen his stock rise in the wake of the Senior Bowl, and NFL teams are keeping an eye on him. The Steelers recently hosted him on a ’30’ visit, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He adds Robinson has 20 meetings with teams on the books, making him one of several potential first-rounders who will remain busy as the draft approaches. O-lineman Taliese Fuaga is among the prospects who also met with the Steelers, as noted by Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  • Staying in Pennsylvania, the Eagles hosted Laiatu Latu on a ’30’ visit, Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds reports. The UCLA product is one of the best edge rushers in the 2024 class, having earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. His college resume includes a medical retirement, however, so there will be risk involved in selecting him. Philadelphia and all other prospective suitors will no doubt have a vested interest in Latu’s medical examinations. The Eagles traded Haason Reddick to the Jets, creating the need for a new investment along the edge.
  • The inside linebacker class is not believed to have a Day 1 prospect, but Edgerrin Cooper is among the top options teams will have to choose from. The Texas A&M product had a strong Pro Day showing, and he has a number of ’30’ visits lined up. Per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the list of interested teams includes the Texans, Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, Chargers and Buccaneers. Cooper was a consensus All-American in 2023 after racking up 84 tackles (including 17 for loss), eight sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
  • Pittsburgh, Dallas, Carolina and Tampa Bay are among the teams also set to host Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes. Garafolo adds the Browns, Ravens, Seahawks and 49ers have also booked a visit with the small school standout. Corley is a member of a very deep receiver class, but his 180 catches, 2,279 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons along with a strong pre-draft process has put him firmly on the draft radar.
  • Marshawn Kneeland has also drawn considerable pre-draft attention. The Western Michigan defensive end has either already met with (or plans to visit) the Eagles along with the Chiefs, Saints, Jaguars, Jets, Vikings, Colts and Commanders, per Pauline. Kneeland spent four years with the MAC program, totaling 12.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss while establishing himself as a power rusher and strong run defender.
  • While a number of prospects have helped their stock recently, the opposite is of course true of others. Michigan receiver Roman Wilson appears to have fallen into the latter category, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. He notes Wilson is in danger of falling to the late second round or early in the third, something which could become increasingly possible if a run on the draft’s other pass-catchers takes place. Wilson averaged 16.4 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns on a run-heavy Wolverines offense last season, but his size (6-0, 180) and mediocre statistics from his three other campaigns could make him less appealing than other WR options.

Eagles Trade Haason Reddick To Jets

March 29th, 2024 at 11:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

The uncertainty surrounding Haason Reddick‘s future has come to an end. The Pro Bowl edge rusher is being traded from the Eagles to the Jets, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal is now official.

With respect to compensation, Schefter notes New York will send Philadelphia a conditional 2026 third-round pick. The selection will become a second-rounder if Reddick plays at least 67.5% of defensive snaps this season and records at least 10 sacks.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes New York will take on $14.5MM of Reddick’s compensation. The Eagles, meanwhile, could also be off the hook for a $1MM roster bonus which was due to be paid out earlier this month but was delayed to April 1. 2024 marks the final year of the 29-year-old’s deal, but Garafolo’s colleague Ian Rapoport reports he is expected to land a new contract in the wake of this trade.

Reddick has drawn attention this offseason with it being known the Eagles were willing to move on from him. While he made it clear he did not request a trade, signs pointed to another lucrative Philadelphia agreement not being in the cards. That seemed to be confirmed when the Eagles landed ex-Jet Bryce Huff early in free agency, a move which added a noted sack artist to the mix. The team has also has Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham on the books for 2024, while New York was left in need of an edge addition prior to today.

Huff seemed destined to depart the latter team after a strong contract season. The Jets were one of the interested suitors in Jadeveon Clowney, but no deal materialized. Not long after seeing Clowney sign a deal with the Panthers, New York has pivoted to Reddick. Expectations will be high for the team’s edge contingent heading into the 2024 campaign as a result.

Reddick has posted at least 11 sacks in each of the past four seasons, a stretch split between his time in Carolina and Philadelphia. The former Cardinals first-rounder was a Pro Bowler in each of his two Eagles seasons, proving to be a valuable free agent addition. He is attached to a deal worth $15MM per year, but a new agreement will no doubt check in at a figure closer to the top of the market. Reddick’s 27 sacks and 76 pressures during the past two years will help his bargaining position with his new team.

New York’s two most frequently used edge rushers from last year – Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers – are each on the books for another two years on their respective contracts. The latter enjoyed a breakout season last year with 7.5 sacks, while the latter remained a consistent secondary producer in that regard. Adding Reddick to the fold will help offset the loss of Huff and give the team another sack artist to work with.

It will be interesting to see how urgently the Jets pursue a Reddick extension to keep him in the fold for the intermediate term and avoid a potential free agent departure next offseason. 12 edge rushers currently average over $20MM per year, and Reddick could aim to join that group in New York. At a minimum, the Jets’ front seven will still have a strong rotation next season even with Huff no longer in the picture.

Saquon Barkley Addresses Texans Interest, Free Agent Offers

March 28th, 2024 at 11:40am CST by Adam La Rose

Saquon Barkley recently appeared on the New Heights podcast with now-retired Eagles center Jason Kelce and his brother Travis. He spoke about his free agent period, which ultimately led to a Philadelphia agreement including $26MM fully guaranteed.

Barkley confirmed, via Matt Ehaly of the New York Post, the Texans were the first team he was drawn to with the new league year approaching. That matches a report from the same time, and Barkley noted he and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud communicated about a potential partnership. After interest from the Eagles picked up, though, the two-time Pro Bowler’s attention began to shift.

“As it got closer, and you start hearing word and Philly, I probably never imagined myself playing for Philly six years ago, but I get to come back to Pennsylvania,” Barkley said. “My family is from Pennsylvania, my lady, our kids, grandmas all that is from Pennsylvania and we’re already close and we can even get to get closer and get a chance to compete. I got to admire [the Eagles] from afar, admire what he was able to build over there and get to be part of that culture. It was a no-brainer for me.”

Philadelphia had interest in retaining 2023 starter D’Andre Swift, but his market became more lucrative than expected. That led the Eagles to prioritize Barkley, and the sides were able to agree to a three-year, $37.75MM pact on the second day of the negotiating window. The NFL has launched a tampering investigation into the matter, but no developments on that front have emerged.

Barkley also noted that four teams (the Giants not being among them) made a formal offer. The Texans – a team which ultimately traded for Joe Mixon to take the place of Devin Singletary – were a “serious suitor,” as Ehaly notes. In the end, though, Barkley preferred to return to the state of his decorated college career amidst solid interest from a shortlist of suitors.

“I had a good bit of teams that really was like all about me coming there and with the price point being up there,” the Penn State alum added. “I wanted to get what I deserved that I thought was fair for me to take care of me and my family. That’s the goal you want to get to, that second contract. “When I had my offers in place, I was like, ‘Alright, what best fits me? Where can I go and have the best opportunity to win?’… When you put all the pieces together, it made sense to be in Philly.”

Eagles Sign DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson

March 25th, 2024 at 4:00pm CST by Ben Levine

MARCH 25: The Eagles will guarantee Gardner-Johnson $10MM on this deal, 94WIP.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks tweets. The team used void years through 2029 to spread out the cap hits.

MARCH 12: C.J. Gardner-Johnson is heading back to Philly. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the veteran defensive back is signing with the Eagles.

The veteran is inking a three-year deal worth up to $33MM, according to Pelissero. Following a one-year stop in Detroit, Gardner-Johnson is now back with his former squad.

After getting traded by the Saints to the Eagles prior to the 2022 campaign, Gardner-Johnson proceeded to start 12 games for Philadelphia, missing a chunk of midseason games thanks to a lacerated kidney. Despite the absence, he finished the season with 67 tackles and a league-leading six interceptions. He also started each of the Eagles’ three playoff games, including a Super Bowl loss where he compiled four tackles.

That performance earned him a one-year, $8MM contract from the Lions last offseason. However, his lone season in Detroit was highlighted by injuries. He suffered a non-contact injury during training camp that was expected to wipe out his season, but the MRI provided a brighter outlook. Gardner-Johnson was able to return in time for the start of the regular season, but he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 that wiped out most of the campaign.

He got back to the field for the regular season finale, and he subsequently played in at least 50 percent of Detroit’s defensive snaps in each of their three playoff games. The 26-year-old still showed he had something left in the tank during the postseason, collecting 12 tackles and an interception.

The Eagles still have Darius Slay and James Bradberry atop their depth chart, but the team did lose some depth when they cut Avonte Maddox last week. Gardner-Johnson’s experience will likely provide him with a path to plenty of playing time as a backup or nickelback.

Eagles To Sign QB Will Grier

March 23rd, 2024 at 10:49am CST by Ben Levine

Will Grier is back in the NFC. After spending the 2023 campaign touring the AFC, the former Panthers draft pick is signing with the Eagles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The quarterback is signing a one-year deal.

[RELATED: Steelers To Trade Kenny Pickett To Eagles]

Grier was a third-round pick by the Panthers back in 2019, and he garnered his only two career appearances as a rookie. Grier got two starts that season, going 0-2 while completing 53.8 percent of his passes for 228 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions.

He spent the 2020 campaign as the QB3 behind Teddy Bridgewater and P.J. Walker, and following Carolina’s 2021 acquisition of Sam Darnold, Grier was let go. He caught on with the Cowboys, where he’d spend a pair of seasons as the third quarterback.

Grier was waived by Dallas after the 2023 preseason, and following a brief stint on the Bengals practice squad, Grier joined New England as part of the team’s QB3 carousel. The 28-year-old spent most of the 2023 campaign with the Patriots, alternating between the practice squad and active roster. After not getting into a game with New England, he ended this past season on the Chargers active roster.

Grier will once again be competing for a QB3 spot in 2024, this time in Philly. The Eagles already brought in Kenny Pickett as the backup to Jalen Hurts, meaning Grier will likely be competing with 2023 sixth-round pick Tanner McKee for the third spot on the depth chart. Fortunately for Grier, it shouldn’t take him long to learn Philadelphia’s offense. Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore previously coached Grier when the two were in Dallas.

Eagles Made Offer To QB Joe Flacco

March 21st, 2024 at 6:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

An intra-Pennsylvania trade generated considerable attention, but prior to the Eagles acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Steelers, they had what would have been an interesting reunion in mind.

Joe Flacco has gone from waiting until November to be signed to receiving multiple offers in free agency. Before Flacco committed to the Colts, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan notes the Eagles submitted an offer for him to come back to Philadelphia.

The Eagles will turn to Pickett behind Jalen Hurts, but they were interested in Flacco reprising the backup role he held briefly in 2021. The New Jersey native signed with the Eagles three years ago but never saw any game action. Philly had acquired Gardner Minshew via trade, as Urban Meyer ended the strange run of Minshew receiving first-team reps ahead of Trevor Lawrence‘s rookie year. Weeks later, the Eagles sent Flacco back to the Jets, who had seen Zach Wilson go down with a knee injury.

Flacco, 39, will now replace Minshew as Anthony Richardson‘s Colts backup. Indianapolis landed the 17th-year veteran on a one-year deal with $4.5MM guaranteed. Flacco had wanted to stay with the Browns, expressing his fondness for Cleveland on several occasions during a stunning run to Comeback Player of the Year honors. Despite Flacco piloting a depleted Browns offense to the playoffs, the team eyed Jameis Winston and Jacoby Brissett instead of authorizing a second contract. Winston is now Deshaun Watson‘s backup.

Philly had been on the lookout for a backup quarterback to replace Marcus Mariota, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson indicated, and Pickett will step into that role. The Eagles have the former No. 20 overall pick signed through 2025; he is due guarantees of $1.98MM (2024) and $2.62MM (2025). Reports out of Pittsburgh pointed to Pickett wanting out once he learned Russell Wilson would be given the starting job; the third-year passer will certainly not be a threat to Hurts. Mariota signed with the Commanders early in free agency.

Richardson is recovering from shoulder surgery, but last year’s No. 4 overall pick has resumed throwing. Still, Richardson needed to leave multiple games due to injury last year; he is a raw talent who possesses a dual-threat skillset. After Flacco did not sign with a team until Nov. 20 last year — and that came initially as a Browns practice squad deal — it seems likely he will be needed at some point for the 2024 Colts. If Flacco plays 60% of the Colts’ offensive snaps, he can pocket $1MM, Caplan adds.

NFC East Notes: Reddick, Eagles, Burns, Giants, Kendrick, Cowboys, Commanders

March 21st, 2024 at 6:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles signed Bryce Huff and reached a reworked agreement with Josh Sweat. Brandon Graham is coming back for what would be a record 15th season with the franchise, and Nolan Smith is going into his second season. This setup would stand to point Haason Reddick out of town, and the Eagles recently made a contract adjustment that could help facilitate a trade. The team moved Reddick’s $1MM bonus, which was scheduled for March 15, to April 1, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.

Reddick, 29, is due a $14.25MM base salary in 2024; that amount is almost entirely nonguaranteed. The Eagles gave Reddick permission to seek a trade ahead of free agency, and while the Philadelphia native said he did not request to be moved, the team’s other decisions at edge rusher may have made that decision already. Calls have come in, and it will be interesting to see what offers emerge. A team acquiring Reddick would likely be doing so with the intent of extending him, which will impact his value. He of back-to-back double-digit sack seasons and the driving force behind Philly nearly breaking the 1984 Bears’ single-season sack record in 2022, Reddick is tied to a $15MM AAV; that ranks 19th among edge defenders.

Here is the latest from the NFC East:

  • On the edge rusher topic, the Giants‘ Brian Burns extension is not quite as lucrative as initially reported. While the extension can be worth up to $150MM, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes its base value checks in at $141MM with $76MM fully guaranteed. The deal will pay out $90MM over the first three years. In terms of total guarantees, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan places that number at $87.5MM. Burns’ 2024 base salary is fully guaranteed, but his 2025 and ’26 numbers are not. Burns has $10.75MM of his $22.25MM 2025 base guaranteed at signing; his $22.25MM 2026 base is guaranteed for injury. The deal features a surprisingly flat structure that does not involve void years, giving the Giants — who would have Kayvon Thibodeaux eligible for an extension in 2025 — some flexibility down the road. Burns’ $28.2MM AAV tops T.J. Watt for second among edge defenders, but his full guarantee trails the Steelers All-Pro’s $80MM figure.
  • The Giants created some additional cap space Thursday, moving $10MM of Dexter Lawrence‘s base salary into a signing bonus. This will free up $7.5MM in space for New York, ESPN’s Field Yates tweets. The Giants did not move all of Lawrence’s 2024 base into a bonus, potentially leaving some room in case more funds are needed. Lawrence’s $22.5MM-per-year deal runs through 2027.
  • Eric Kendricks agreed to a one-year, $3MM Cowboys deal, and ESPN’s Todd Archer notes he accepted a lesser offer in order to rejoin Mike Zimmer in Dallas. The longtime Vikings starter had agreed to terms with the 49ers, but a lower cost of living — albeit for a player who has made $52MM in his career — and a familiar scheme will await him in Dallas. The 49ers moved on to De’Vondre Campbell.
  • While Devin White‘s Eagles contract can max out at $7.5MM, the33rdTeam.com’s Ari Meirov indicates the deal’s base value comes in at $4MM ($3.5MM guaranteed). This is a staggering drop for White, who had requested the Buccaneers trade him — as he pursued a top-market ILB contract — last year. The former top-five pick will follow the likes of Kyzir White, Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow as low-cost solutions on Philly’s defensive second level.
  • Frankie Luvu‘s Commanders contract can max out at $36MM, but KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the base value is $31MM. Washington is giving the productive Carolina linebacker $14.6MM guaranteed at signing. Just $2MM of Luvu’s $8.5MM 2025 base salary is fully guaranteed. Another $4.5MM locks in on April 1, 2025. Clelin Ferrell‘s one-year Commanders pact is worth $3.75MM with $3.1MM guaranteed, per Wilson, who adds $1.5MM is also available via incentives. As for DB Jeremy Reaves, Wilson adds he re-signed on a two-year, $6MM contract. The Reaves deal includes $2.7MM guaranteed. Lastly, Jeremy Chinn‘s Washington deal includes a $4.12MM base salary ($3.5MM guaranteed), via Wilson.

Eagles Sign WR Parris Campbell

March 21st, 2024 at 10:42am CST by Adam La Rose

Parris Campbell came to the Giants amidst notable expectations last offseason, but his time in New York did not go according to plan. The veteran wideout will remain in the NFC East for 2024, though.

Campbell has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Eagles, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter; the deal is now official, per a team announcement. The 26-year-old endured multiple injuries during much of his four-year tenure with the Colts to begin his career. He remained healthy for the final season of his rookie contract, however, posting career-high totals (632 yards, three touchdowns on 63 catches) along the way.

That production earned him a one-year, $4.7MM deal with the Giants last spring. Campbell was in place to serve as a starter in New York’s receiver room as a result of the pact, but he failed to carve out a notable role. He was a healthy scratch in Week 14, something which was unprecedented in his NFL career. That remained the case for the remainder of the campaign, limiting the former second-rounder to just 104 scoreless yards on 20 receptions.

To no surprise, Campbell will head elsewhere in a bid to rebuild his free agent stock. The Eagles already have A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith firmly atop the WR depth chart, but adding secondary options has been a priority this offseason. Especially if Quez Watkins signs with a new team in free agency, Philadelphia will need added depth amongst its pass-catchers. The team signed DeVante Parker last week in a bid to fulfill that goal.

The latter represented a low-cost addition in part due to the offset language present in his Patriots contract. While that is not the case for Campbell (a free agent since the start of the new league year), he too will no doubt be joining the Eagles on an inexpensive investment. The Ohio State alum will spend the offseason looking to compete with Parker and others for a roster spot on Philadelphia’s re-vamped offense.

D’Andre Swift Price Led Eagles To Saquon Barkley Pivot

March 20th, 2024 at 10:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Prior to last week’s Saquon Barkley signing, it had been a while since the Eagles sprang for an upper-echelon running back contract. The team did pay up for DeMarco Murray in 2015, but that came during the year Howie Roseman found himself demoted in favor of Chip Kelly. The most recent Roseman-directed RB payment of note came in 2012, when the team gave LeSean McCoy a five-year, $45MM extension.

Illustrating where running back value has gone over the past 12 years, the Eagles now have Barkley tied to a three-year, $37.75MM contract. Barkley’s bet on himself at the franchise tag deadline paid off, with the Eagles giving him $26MM fully guaranteed. That tops the Giants’ 2023 offer and will now be tacked onto the $10.1MM he earned on the franchise tag.

[RELATED: NFL Investigating Eagles, Falcons For Tampering]

Barkley coming out of this grim RB market on top comes after D’Andre Swift became the first commit during the legal tampering period. The Bears gave the 2023 Eagles starter a three-year, $24MM deal that McLane notes features $15.28MM fully guaranteed. That represents a nice pickup for Swift, who slightly outperformed Miles Sanders‘ 2023 guarantee number ($13MM).

Although the Eagles were not interested in keeping Sanders, they monitored the Swift market. However, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane indicates the team pivoted as the Swift market moved outside of where it valued the 2023 Pro Bowler.

This meant giving more money to Barkley, but it is clear the Eagles viewed the gap between the two RB talents as wide. The Eagles ranked first in rushing yards before contact last season and 32nd post-contact, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, who notes that played into the team’s decision with Barkley. The two-time Giants Pro Bowler is one of six RBs with over 1,000 yards after contact over the past two seasons. Next Gen Stats ranked Swift in the bottom 10 in terms of rushing yards over expected (minus-65), with McLane adding issues in pass protection were also part of the Eagles’ valuation.

The Eagles also felt the Giants underutilized Barkley in the passing game. Barkley himself expressed this stance around the time of last year’s franchise tag deadline. In the years following Pat Shurmur‘s exit, Barkley did not make a major statistical impact as a receiver. He has not eclipsed 350 receiving yards in a season since 2019. During his 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, the former No. 2 overall pick totaled 721 yards through the air. That said, the Eagles have not used backs much in the passing game since committing to Jalen Hurts as their starter. A productive receiver at points in Detroit, Swift totaled just 214 receiving yards in 17 games last season.

Swift, 25, does feature far less wear and tear compared to Barkley, 27; that undoubtedly played into the Bears’ decision to bring in the ex-Lions second-rounder. Swift sits at 593 career carries; Barkley exited 2023 with 1,201. Considering the Eagle rushing attack’s success with talents like Sanders and Swift at the forefront, it will be interesting to see how Barkley fares behind a top-tier offensive line — a luxury he never enjoyed with the Giants.

The Eagles have gone so far as to guarantee a bit of Barkley’s 2026 salary. Although the bulk of Barkley’s final year ($12MM) is nonguaranteed, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes $1.5MM of that amount is locked in at signing. An additional $1MM will become guaranteed that March, giving the Eagles an out window two years down the road.

Their Barkley-based deviation at running back will still make their 2024 and ’25 approaches fascinating. Barkley’s showing on this contract will also be important through a macro lens at a position that has taken a slew of value hits — many coming in 2023 — over the past several years.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/20/24

March 20th, 2024 at 9:25pm CST by Ely Allen

Wednesday’s minor transactions:

Houston Texans

Miami Dolphins

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Sims was not tendered by the Texans as a restricted free agent, but Houston found a way to bring him back on a new deal regardless. Sims is now five years removed from his rookie year in Washington, in which he caught for 310 yards and four touchdowns.

Load More Posts