Tag: Eagles

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) reacts against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Lions signing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Detroit Lions are signing free-agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a one-year, $8 million deal, multiple media outlets reported Sunday night.

NFL Network reported that the deal includes $6.5 million fully guaranteed.

Gardner-Johnson, 25, recorded an NFL-best six interceptions and 67 tackles — both career highs — in 12 games (all starts) with the Eagles last season. ESPN reported that Philadelphia offered Gardner-Johnson a multi-year contract at the beginning of free agency, but he turned it down believing he had higher value.

Prior to his lone season with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson was with the Saints from 2019-21 after being selected by New Orleans in the fourth round of the 2019 draft.

In 55 career games (43 starts), Gardner-Johnson had recorded 11 interceptions, 228 tackles, 36 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles reach deal with QB Marcus Mariota

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Marcus Mariota reportedly is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles, this time as a backup instead of as an expected franchise savior.

The 29-year-old veteran agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal that could rise to a maximum value of $8 million with incentives, ESPN reported Thursday night.

Mariota would serve as a backup to Jalen Hurts, who went 14-1 as a starter last year.

When Mariota was coming out of Oregon in 2015, the Eagles’ head coach and de facto general manager at the time was Chip Kelly, who was in charge of the Ducks during Mariota’s freshman season. Kelly reportedly offered an enormous trade package to the Titans to move up to the No. 2 pick in the draft to select Mariota, but Tennessee rejected the offer and chose the QB.

Mariota spent five years with the Titans, going 29-32 as a starter while completing 62.9 percent of his passes for 13,207 yards with 76 touchdown throws and 44 interceptions.

He served as a backup quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 and 2021 before signing with Atlanta last spring. Mariota started the first 13 games for the Falcons in 2022, going 5-8 before he was benched in December.

Mariota posted a 61.3 percent completion rate while throwing for 2,219 yards, 15 TDs and nine interceptions last season. For his 87-game career, he has a 34-40 record as a starter with a 62.6 percent completion rate, 15,656 yards, 92 touchdowns and 54 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew (10) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: QB Gardner Minshew agrees to one-year deal with Colts

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The Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Gardner Minshew agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

The deal reportedly has incentives that could allow Minshew to make up to $5.5 million.

Minshew was a backup on the Philadelphia Eagles the past two seasons under offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who is the new head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

The reported deal comes one day after the Colts released veteran quarterback Matt Ryan, who didn’t live up to his past level of performance in his one season with the Colts.

Indianapolis is expected to select a quarterback in the first round of the 2023 draft. The Colts have the No. 4 overall pick.

Minshew’s familiarity with Steichen’s offense gives him a shot to open the season as the starter should a rookie need more time to develop.

Minshew went 1-3 as a starter in Philadelphia over the past two seasons while passing for 1,102 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions in nine appearances.

Overall, he has passed for 6,632 yards, 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over 32 appearances (24 starts) in four NFL seasons. He spent his first two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and went 7-13 as a starter.

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Eagles releasing CB Darius Slay

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The Philadelphia Eagles are releasing five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

The move is unsurprising and comes after failed attempts to find a trade partner for Slay, who earned Pro Bowl honors in two of his three seasons in Philadelphia. The Eagles gave Slay’s agent permission to seek a trade last week.

Further, the Eagles brought back All-Pro CB James Bradberry on a three-year deal worth $38 million on Tuesday, including $20 million guaranteed.

Slay, 32, was set to enter the final season of a three-year, $50 million deal signed in March 2020. He was due a base salary of $17 million with a cap hit of $26.1 million in 2023, according to Spotrac.

Slay started all 17 games in 2022 and registered 14 passes defensed and three interceptions for a unit that led the league in pass defense (179.8 yards per game).

He added 12 tackles in the postseason for the NFC champs, who lost 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

Slay has 26 interceptions and 513 tackles in 151 games (141 starts) with the Detroit Lions (2013-19) and Eagles.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (20) rushes against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Eagles agree to terms with RB Rashaad Penny

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The Philadelphia Eagles reached an agreement to sign free agent running back Rashaad Penny, NFL Network and The Athletic reported Tuesday.

The agreement is for one year, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia.

New contracts cannot officially be signed until the new league year begins Wednesday.

Penny, 27, spent his first five NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. A number of injuries held him to just 10 games in 2019, three in 2020, 10 in 2021 and five in 2022.

In 42 career games (11 starts), Penny has rushed for 1,918 yards on 5.7 yards per attempt with 13 touchdowns, plus one receiving touchdown.

He ended the 2021 regular season with performances of 137, 135, 170 and 190 rushing yards over the final five games. He scored six touchdowns in that span. But a broken fibula held him to five games in 2022; he averaged 6.1 yards per attempt for 346 yards and two scores.

The Eagles are likely to pair Penny with Kenneth Gainwell in their backfield and move on from Miles Sanders, their starting running back of the last four years.

Sanders, an unrestricted free agent, established career bests of 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) walks on the field after losing Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles C Jason Kelce agrees to one-year contract

Posted on | by Field Level Media

All-Pro center Jason Kelce and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a one-year contract on Tuesday.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the Eagles, however ESPN reported it was worth $14.25 million.

The move comes one day after the 35-year-old Kelce announced that he was returning for his 13th NFL season in 2023.

“I have put much thought into whether it makes sense to play another season,” Kelce posted Monday on Twitter. “After talking it over with my wife and many other friends and family, I have decided to return for another year. Thank you to all my supporters and detractors for fueling me, I ain’t (expletive) done yet!”

Kelce has spent his entire career with the Eagles, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2011.

The five-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection has started 176 games in the regular season and 11 games in the postseason, including a win in Super Bowl LII and a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and his brother, Travis Kelce, in Super Bowl LVII last month.

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) walks on the field after losing Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles C Jason Kelce returning for another season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

All-Pro center Jason Kelce announced Monday he is returning for his 13th NFL season in 2023.

The 35-year-old free agent is expected to re-sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I have put much thought into whether it makes sense to play another season,” Kelce posted on Twitter. “After talking it over with my wife and many other friends and family, I have decided to return for another year. Thank you to all my supporters and detractors for fueling me, I ain’t (expletive) done yet!”

Kelce has spent his entire career with the Eagles, who drafted him in the sixth round in 2011.

The five-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection has started 176 games in the regular season and 11 games in the postseason, including a win in Super Bowl LII and a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and his brother, Travis Kelce, in Super Bowl LVII last month.

–Field Level Media

Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) on the field after win against the New York Giants during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles to re-sign DE Brandon Graham to 1-year deal

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Defensive end Brandon Graham opted against entering free agency and agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, he told ESPN on Friday.

The network reported the deal is worth up to $6 million.

Graham, who turns 35 next month, recorded a career-high 11 sacks to go along with 35 tackles in 17 games (one start) last season. He played an integral part in guiding the Eagles in their sprint to Super Bowl LVII.

“I definitely don’t want to miss out on this championship that we’re about to make a run for,” Graham told ESPN. “I pretty much directed (my agent) Joel (Segal) just to get a deal done before free agency so I wouldn’t have to go through that part. I’m just so happy everything came to fruition.

“It wasn’t even about no money. It was more about wanting to be an Eagle as long as I could still play at a high level, and of course I still have a sour taste in my mouth on how things ended this last (season with a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl).”

Graham is fondly remembered by Eagles fans for his strip-sack of then-New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII. Philadelphia went on to record its lone Super Bowl win in franchise history.

The longest-tenured member of the Eagles, Graham has totaled 451 tackles, 70.0 sacks and 21 forced fumbles in 178 career games (105 starts) since being selected by Philadelphia with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles fire DB coach Dennard Wilson

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Less than two weeks ago, some Philadelphia Eagles players were lobbying for defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Dennard Wilson to take over as defensive coordinator.

He didn’t get the position, and now he reportedly is out of a job in the organization altogether. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday that Wilson was fired following an “acrimonious meeting” with head coach Nick Sirianni over the weekend.

Instead of picking Wilson, 40, as defensive coordinator, Sirianni went with Seattle Seahawks assistant coach Sean Desai to replace Jonathan Gannon.

Gannon is the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

The Inquirer said Wilson and Sirianni met because the head coach wanted to be convinced Wilson was willing to work with Desai. Wilson reportedly said he could move past his disappointment of not being promoted and cooperate with Desai, but Sirianni apparently had his doubts and decided to split with Wilson — and it wasn’t by mutual decision, per The Inquirer.

Cornerback Darius Slay and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson both pushed on social media for Wilson to land a defensive coordinator job. He interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, who hired veteran coach Jim Schwartz for the post in January.

The Eagles, who lost Super Bowl LVII 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs, will take the field in 2023 with a new defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach and linebackers coach on that side of the ball. Linebackers coach Nick Rallis joined Gannon in Arizona.

Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen also departed to become head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots offensive line coach Matt Patricia against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles may add Matt Patricia to coaching staff

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The Philadelphia Eagles might add Matt Patricia to their defensive coaching staff, the Boston Herald reported Sunday.

The longtime New England Patriots assistant and former Detroit Lions head coach “has a shot” to land with the Eagles “presumably as a linebackers coach,” the report said.

Patricia, 48, won three Super Bowls as a member of New England coach Bill Belichick’s staff from 2004-17, the last six of those seasons as defensive coordinator. He was the linebackers coach there from 2006-10.

After compiling a 13-29-1 record with the Lions from 2018-20, he returned to the Patriots in 2021 as a senior football adviser. He also coached New England’s offensive line last season.

The reigning NFC champion Eagles hired Sean Desai as defensive coordinator last week to replace Jonathan Gannon, now the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

–Field Level Media