Tag: Eagles

Mekhi Becton of the Jets coming off the field in the second half during a Dec. 3, 2023 game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Eagles signed Becton to a free agent contract.

Eagles add to OT depth with signing of Mekhi Becton

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles signed free agent offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, a former first-round pick of the New York Jets, to a one-year contract, the team announced Monday.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but it is valued at up to $5.5 million, according to multiple media reports.

The Jets made Becton the 11th overall selection of the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Louisville product started 13 of his 14 games as a rookie. However, a knee injury in Week 1 ended the left tackle’s second season, and Becton moved to right tackle, only to miss all of the 2022 season because of another knee injury.

The 6-foot-7, 363-pound lineman started all 16 games he played in 2023, playing 95 percent of the offensive snaps. The Jets did not pick up the fifth-year option on Becton, who turned 25 on April 18.

The Eagles, who did not select an offensive tackle in last weekend’s draft, add depth to the roster at the position behind starting left tackle Jordan Mailata and right tackle Lane Johnson. Backup Jack Driscoll signed as a free agent with the Miami Dolphins.

–Field Level Media

Nov 22, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) runs with the ball asTampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackles during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles giving former 1st-round WR John Ross tryout

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former first-round pick John Ross reportedly is attempting a comeback to his NFL career.

Arguably best known for being selected one pick ahead of Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft, Ross will participate in rookie minicamp with the Philadelphia Eagles on a tryout basis, NFL Network reported Sunday.

The speedy wide receiver initially retired prior to training camp last season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The ninth overall pick in 2017 by the Cincinnati Bengals, Ross’ high selection was partly due to running the then-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.22 seconds) in NFL Combine history.

Production didn’t follow as Ross caught just 51 passes for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns in 27 games (20 starts) over four seasons with the Bengals.

Ross requested a trade during the 2020 season that didn’t come to fruition and later sustained a season-ending foot injury. He played in just three games that season.

In 2021, Ross played 10 games (one start) for the New York Giants and caught 11 passes for 224 yards and one score.

Ross played college football at Washington and was a standout in his final season when he caught 81 passes for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter (LB24) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles go trade wild, make nine deals during draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles played an aggressive version of “Let’s Make A Deal” during the final two days of the NFL draft.

The Eagles made nine trades during the seven-round draft, reportedly the most since draft deals began being tracked in 1990.

One of the deals came to move up to the second round Friday to draft cornerback Cooper DeJean of Iowa.

Philadelphia made two trades in Friday’s third round and three more in Saturday’s fourth. They netted Clemson running back Will Shipley with one of the fourth-round trades.

One of the two fifth-round trades led to the choice of linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. from Clemson. The elder Trotter was a four-time Pro Bowler for the Eagles, playing for the team in 1998-2001, 2004-06 and 2009.

“It means a lot,” the younger Trotter told reporters about being drafted by Philadelphia. “I know the type of legacy that he left with this organization, and the fans, how they treated him, and the coaches that he played for, and players he’s played for with the Eagles.

“It definitely means a lot to come in and continue that legacy and help out the team any way that I can. I’m a hometown kid, and the Eagles were always my favorite team growing up.”

Philadelphia made its final trade in the sixth round and was quiet in the seventh.

Before the Eagles began their trade frenzy, they used their first-round pick on Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 overall.

“Obviously, he’s got a lot to prove as a small-school player,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman told reporters. “The MAC is not the National Football League. We understand that. We’ve had tremendous success with big schools. To take a player like this from the MAC, he has to be special.”

–Field Level Media

Toledo Rockets cornerback Quinyon Mitchell poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the No. 22 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles’ inside intel aided selection of Toledo CB in first round

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni made a call no other NFL coach or general manager could before the final decision was made to select Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round Thursday night.

Sirianni called his old college roommate Jason Candle and soon knew his pairing with Mitchell was a perfect match.

“Their personality match is perfect,” Candle, the head coach at Toledo who maintains a close bond with Sirianni years after they roomed together at Mount Union, said Friday of the Eagles drafting Mitchell.

What some in the NFL viewed as a risk because of his small-school production in the MAC (Mid-American Conference), the Eagles viewed as a decided edge. Sirianni knows the small-school, prove-it mentality when he sees it, and Mitchell starred in every phase of the pre-draft process. He was the best player on the field at the Senior Bowl by their estimation, then ran in the 4.3s at the NFL Scouting Combine and smashed position drills and private meetings.

Candle was able to ease some of those concerns for Philadelphia, telling Sirianni how Mitchell turned down Power 5 options — including Alabama, Georgia and Florida State — to stay with the Rockets four years and all about how he sees Sirianni’s personality and competitive mentality in Mitchell in everything from team meetings to pickup basketball games.

The game tape and production — 45 pass break-ups the past two seasons — spoke for itself.

“We think we have an extremely talented, hard-working outside corner,” Eagles president Howie Roseman said. “He’s got the right mentality, all the tools in his body. He had a great process. He had a chance to transfer out of Toledo; he stayed there and came back. He got better, he went to the Senior Bowl, and he checked all the offseason process boxes one by one, which is important.”

Mitchell walks into a loaded secondary with James Bradberry and Darius Slay at cornerback and 2023 draft pick Kelee Ringo, Josh Jobe and Eli Ricks are in the running for more time this season.

“He’s got a lot to prove as a small-school player. The MAC isn’t the National Football League. We understand that … so to take a player like this, he has to be special. We think he is a special person,” Roseman said.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. (34) signs a ball for a fan Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

NFL reinstates Eagles’ Isaiah Rodgers after gambling ban

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL reinstated Philadelphia Eagles cornerback and kick returner Isaiah Rodgers on Tuesday after a one-year gambling suspension.

Rodgers, 26, has been cleared to participate in all team activities, effective immediately.

The Indianapolis Colts cut Rodgers following his suspension last June and he signed with the Eagles in August.

A sixth-round pick in 2020, Rodgers averaged 27.0 yards on 61 kickoff returns in 45 games with the Colts from 2020-22. He returned a kick 101 yards for a touchdown at Cleveland in Week 5 of 2020.

Following his suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy, Rodgers issued a statement acknowledging his mistakes.

“Addressing the current reports, I want to take full responsibility for my actions. I know I have made mistakes, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation,” he posted on social media.

“The last thing I ever wanted to do was to be a distraction to the Colts organization, my coaches and my teammates. I’ve let people down that I care about. I made an error in judgment and I am going to work hard to make sure that those mistakes are rectified through this process. It’s an honor to play in the NFL and I have never taken that lightly. I am very sorry for all of this.”

–Field Level Media

Apr 21, 2024; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws out the first pitch prior to the game between the Atlanta Braves against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

NFL tampering probe won’t affect 2024 draft picks for Eagles, Falcons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL’s investigation into potential tampering by the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles is ongoing and will not be completed this week, the league said Tuesday.

With the 2024 NFL Draft scheduled to begin Thursday, the league will not be docking either team draft picks — should it find one or both guilty of tampering — this year.

The league confirmed in March that it was looking into the possibility of tampering by the teams prior to the start of free agency. The reviews focus on quarterback Kirk Cousins agreeing to a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons, and running back Saquon Barkley signing a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles.

The Falcons said in a statement at the time that “due to the NFL’s review, we are unable to provide information or have additional comment.”

The Eagles denied the claims.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts yearns for offensive continuity

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Preparing to work under a fourth offensive coordinator as he enters his fifth season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said he is excited but also expressed his desire for consistency in the coaching ranks.

“I find myself in a situation very similar to college in terms of having a constantly revolving door in terms of coordinators and coaches,” Hurts told reporters Wednesday. “But I’ve always managed to have success in it, so that’s always been a good thing, because you’ve been able to learn from people and apply it.”

Kellen Moore is the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator this season, replacing Brian Johnson, who was fired after the offense struggled down the stretch. Following a 10-1 start, Philadelphia dropped six of its last seven before losing in an NFC wild-card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In his four college seasons (three at Alabama, one at Oklahoma), Hurts had a different playcaller every year. It wasn’t until 2021-22 that Hurts had the same coordinator for consecutive seasons, when now-Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen held the role.

“I think as a player, I definitely yearn for the sustainability and the consistency there,” Hurts said. “As a quarterback, I yearn for those things in a playcaller and a quarterback coach because you kind of see how consistency in those areas can breed excellence,”

Under Steichen’s tutelage, Hurts led the Eagles to an appearance in Super Bowl LVII and finished second in MVP voting in 2022.

When Steichen left for Indianapolis, Johnson was promoted from QB coach to offensive coordinator, but he, Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni reportedly didn’t see eye to eye.

“I think the best of him. He’s been a huge part of my development in my time here as an Eagle,” Hurts said of Johnson, a longtime family friend who is now the Washington Commanders’ assistant head coach/offensive pass game coordinator.

As for working with Moore, Hurts said he’ll soak it all in and be ready to adjust when it comes to the new coordinator’s game plan.

“I’m just all ears. I’m a sponge. I think there’s some beauty in that,” Hurts said. “I’m just in sponge mode. I’m letting them do what it is they’re going to do, and then we kind of adjust from there. I think the thing that we all have to understand is the importance of a foundation in something.

“So I want the coaches to declare their foundation in terms of what they want something to be, how they want it to look, and then obviously you’re going to adjust from there.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) in action against the New York Giants during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles WR DeVonta Smith next in line for payday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is a “strong candidate” for a massive contract extension, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The Eagles already have locked up offensive linemen Landon Dickerson (four years, $84 million) and Jordan Mailata (three years, $66 million) to long-term deals this offseason. Smith appears to be next in line, per the report.

Smith, 25, has tallied 240 catches for 3,178 yards and 19 touchdowns in 50 games (49 starts) since being drafted 10th overall in 2021 out of Alabama, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2020.

He set a career high with 95 catches in 2022 and posted his second straight 1,000-yard season with 1,066 in 2023.

“DeVonta is an incredible person, incredible player; obviously homegrown, young guy,” general manager Howie Roseman said at the scouting combine in February when asked about signing Smith to an extension this offseason. “Without getting into specifics, those are guys you don’t really want to leave.”

Smith is expected to command a new deal worth $25 million or more per season, per ESPN. Wideout Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins has a top average annual salary of $30 million, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams ($28 million), the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp ($26.7 million) and Eagles teammate A.J. Brown ($25 million).

Smith is due a base salary of $1.055 million in 2024 with a cap hit of $6.4 million. The Eagles have until May 2 to exercise the fifth-year option on Smith’s rookie contract, estimated to be worth $16 million for the 2025 season, per Spotrac.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts are scheduled to square off in Brazil on Sept. 6. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Packers, Eagles set for Friday night opener in Brazil

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Week 1 of the 2024 regular season will include an international affair between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, who were announced as the opponents for a Friday primetime matchup in Brazil.

The Eagles were selected for the first-ever game in South America — Sao Paulo at the Corinthians Arena on Sept. 6 — in February, but the Packers weren’t officially announced as their opponent until Wednesday.

It’s the first Friday night game on opening weekend in the NFL in more than 50 years.

Packers CEO Mark Murphy hinted Tuesday the decision could be coming.

“I think we’re either the first- or second-most popular team in Brazil,” Murphy said. “As we talked about, we’re kind of the peoples’ team. People really like the idea of a community-owned team, with our history and tradition.”

Five regular-season games are part of the NFL International Series in 2024. With the game in South America, the league will have held at least one preseason or regular-season game on five of seven continents.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) makes a catch during the warm-up period before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Report: CB Avonte Maddox agrees to terms with Eagles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent cornerback Avonte Maddox agreed to terms on a contract to return to the Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN reported on Thursday.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed for Maddox, who was cut by the Eagles at the start of the new league year.

Maddox, 28, missed 13 games last season due to a pectoral injury he sustained in Philadelphia’s 34-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 14. He finished with 12 tackles and a forced fumble in four games (two starts).

Maddox has recorded 250 tackles, eight forced fumbles and four interceptions in 64 games (38 starts) since being selected by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media