WR Parris Campbell Addresses Decision To Remain With Eagles

Parris Campbell found himself out of the Giants’ lineup midway through the 2023 season. As a result, it came as no surprise the veteran wideout departed in free agency this spring, making an intra-divisional move to the Eagles.

Campbell was unable to carve out a depth spot in his new team’s receiving corps during training camp and the preseason, however. Philadelphia released him ahead of roster cutdowns, leaving the 27-year-old as a free agent once again. Campbell did not originally consider remaining with the Eagles on a practice squad deal, but he ultimately had a change of heart.

“My pride was in the way, for sure,” the former second-rounder recalled (via PHLY’s Zach Berman). “And once I did get let go, and they told me that they wanted to come back on practice squad, I immediately was like, ‘No, that’s not me. That’s not for me’… Like, I talked to my agent, and he was like, ‘Do you want to do practice squad?’ I kind of just shut the door. ‘I’m cool. You can tell them no.'”

Campbell was quickly contacted by Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressing the team’s desire to sign him on a taxi squad deal. The Ohio State product – whose market value was certainly rather low given his 20-catch showing last year – accepted, setting himself up to handle a role in the early portion of the current campaign. With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both missing time through injury, Campbell was a gameday elevation ahead of today’s contest. That was his third elevation, meaning Philadelphia will now need to sign him to the active roster to continue using him.

Campbell made only a pair of catches across his first two Eagles contests, but he added another four (including a touchdown) during today’s loss against the Buccaneers. Brown and Smith were sidelined, and if that remains the for Week 5 Campbell could continue to handle a role in the passing game. At a minimum, his decision to re-sign with Philadelphia has paid early dividends as he looks to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance.