Philadelphia Eagles Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

2024 Offseason In Review Series

September 4th, 2024 at 9:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are PFR’s examinations of the 32 NFL teams’ 2024 offseasons:

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Offseason In Review: Philadelphia Eagles

September 3rd, 2024 at 9:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Reaching their second Super Bowl in five seasons, the Eagles were a much-debated defensive holding call from having a shot to topple the Chiefs. Nick Sirianni‘s team then beat the defending champions in Kansas City last season. Philadelphia then saw its momentum stall, leading to one of the stranger collapses in recent NFL history. The Eagles went from an NFL-best 10-1 to ending the season in a wild-card blowout against a 9-8 team, leading to changes at many areas — including the offensive and defensive coordinator posts.

Sirianni was spared, as it would have been an interesting look for the Eagles to fire another Super Bowl coach not long after that appearance. But the fourth-year leader has moved to a hot seat. Sirianni’s relationship with Jalen Hurts is under the microscope, and Bill Belichick may be lurking. The Eagles, however, still boast a strong roster that could help their coach rebound from a disastrous finish. Despite the unraveling, the team got to work on fortifying both sides of the ball early.

Extensions and restructures:

Reached three-year, $96MM extension ($51MM guaranteed) with WR A.J. Brown
Handed LT Jordan Mailata three-year, $66MM extension ($41MM guaranteed)
Agreed to three-year, $75MM extension ($33.99MM guaranteed) with WR DeVonta Smith
Reached four-year, $84MM extension ($28.89MM guaranteed) with LG Landon Dickerson
Reworked DE Josh Sweat‘s contract, locking in $9.5MM guaranteed
Re-upped K Jake Elliott on three-year, $24MM deal ($9.7MM guaranteed)
Gave S Reed Blankenship one-year, $3.58MM extension

Playing 17-game seasons and coming along in a pass-friendly era, Brown now holds the top two spots on the franchise’s single-season receiving yardage list. Brown broke Mike Quick‘s 39-year-old record in 2022 and eclipsed it again last season. The Eagles did well to pry Brown from a Titans team that erred in assessing the changing WR market two years ago, and Philly’s latest agreement contributed to another positional boom this year.

Shortly before the draft’s first night, the Eagles gave Brown a new deal that topped Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s record-setting AAV. After back-to-back 1,400-yard seasons, Brown landed a $32MM-per-year extension that moved guaranteed money up and gave the Eagles three more years of control. Given the changing market, that might be an issue down the road. The deal includes $84MM guaranteed in total. Brown, 27, also put to rest any rumored concerns he had with the Eagles by recommitting.

Brown’s contract, which runs through 2029, includes void years through 2034. Prorated option bonuses run through 2034, as the Eagles showed consistently this offseason — in rather innovative fashion — they will prioritize short-term cap position over down-the-road concerns.

Just before the Brown extension, the Eagles made a bit of transaction history by locking down Smith. Since the 2011 CBA introduced the fifth-year option, teams have made those decisions annually since the first draft class eligible brought those decisions in 2014. No team in that span had paid a first-round receiver with two years of rookie-deal control remaining. The Eagles became the first, locking down Smith on an extension that became rather team-friendly as the offseason progressed. Smith’s deal both gives the Eagles five years of control and sets up the former Heisman winner as the NFL’s 11th-highest-paid receiver going into the season.

Bailing out the Eagles for their JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Jalen Reagor missteps, Smith has delivered as Brown’s wingman. He has joined the trade acquisition in elevating Hurts, who was tied to a run-heavy offense in Smith’s rookie year. Smith has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, scoring seven TDs in each campaign.

The Eagles having their 25-year-old WR2 as the NFL’s 11th-highest-paid wideout now should age very well, as the market figures to keep spiking or at least gradually increasing while the Alabama alum is tied to this pact. Smith still secured the chance, via a three-year deal, to cash in again in his 20s as well.

Known for taking early action along their offensive front, the Eagles made two steps in that direction this year as well. The first of the Eagles’ would-be Jason Kelce heir apparents — before staying at guard and becoming one of the NFL’s best — Dickerson enters this season as the NFL’s highest-paid guard. The Eagles gave Dickerson $21MM per year, topping Chris Lindstrom‘s previous position record. The former second-round pick became a quick study at left guard, quickly taking over for Brandon Brooks and later helping the Eagles feel comfortable letting Isaac Seumalo walk in free agency.

Developing under acclaimed O-line coach Jeff Stoutland, Dickerson ranked second in pass block win rate and first in run block win rate in 2022. Dickerson also led all interior O-linemen in run block win rate last season, while also ranking as a top-10 player in pass protection. Going into his age-26 season, Dickerson will be counted on as the Eagles aim to replace future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce.

Stoutland completed a more impressive accomplishment with Mailata, leading the effort in the Eagles turning him from a rugby performer to long-term project to standout left tackle. Philly had drafted Andre Dillard to eventually succeed Jason Peters, but a seventh-round pick became the better option. Philly now has three $20MM-per-year O-linemen on an offense with a $50MM-per-year quarterback, an eight-figure running back and two highly compensated receivers.

Two seasons remained on Mailata’s initial Eagles extension (four years, $64MM), but the team operated proactively once again — with cap savings at the root of the move. Mailata’s $22MM-per-year deal tops Lane Johnson‘s AAV while ranking fifth among left tackles. The Australian has yet to draw a Pro Bowl invite, but Pro Football Focus has viewed him as a top-10 tackle in each of the past three years. Run block win rate slotted Johnson and Mailata at Nos. 1 and 2 last season. The Eagles now have their ascending LT signed through 2028, with the team’s usual batch of option bonuses and void years included to defray the cap hits.

As the Eagles rearranged their edge-rushing setup, they prioritized Sweat over Haason Reddick. Though, they took trade calls on both players during an uncertain period ahead of free agency. A 2018 fourth-round pick, Sweat is nearly three years younger (at 27). Sweat was tied to a three-year, $40MM extension that expired after the 2024 season. He agreed to a compromise, accepting a one-year, $10MM redo that came nearly fully guaranteed. With Reddick gone, Sweat is positioned to remain a key piece.

By agreeing to a reworking rather than an extension, Sweat has a platform year ahead and could become one of the 2025 free agent class’ top players with a standout season under the new DC. Sweat slowed late last season along with Reddick, as Philly’s defense crumbled, but he has been a three-year starter and notched 11 sacks as the team pushed for the 1984 Bears’ single-season record in 2022.

The Eagles have Nolan Smith waiting in the wings, and while they will need to see more from the pass-rushing specialist, their 2025 starting OLBs may well be Smith and Bryce Huff.

Free agency additions:

Bryce Huff, DE. Three years, $51MM ($34MM guaranteed)
Saquon Barkley, RB. Three years, $37.75MM ($26MM guaranteed)
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S. Three years, $27MM ($10MM guaranteed)
Devin White, LB. One year, $4MM ($3.5MM guaranteed)
Zack Baun, LB. One year, $3.5MM ($3.5MM guaranteed)
Mekhi Becton, G. One year, $2.75MM ($2.75MM guaranteed)

Since trading LeSean McCoy in 2015 (on Chip Kelly‘s watch), the Eagles have kept costs low at running back. They did not re-sign Jay Ajayi, Jordan Howard or Miles Sanders and let D’Andre Swift walk this offseason. Swift’s price point became an issue for the Eagles, but Barkley’s subsequent contract revealed how wide of a gap Philly placed between Swift and its new starter. Plenty came out about Barkley’s free agency this offseason, thanks to Hard Knocks’ inaugural offseason effort, but Howie Roseman zagged after the RB market reached a crisis point in 2023.

Barkley joined Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard in being tagged and not extended. This came after the Vikings and Cowboys cut stalwart RBs Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott, and the offseason ended with Joe Mixon following Aaron Jones in taking pay cuts. Entering last season, no RB had been given an eight-figure-per-year contract since July 2021. After the cap’s record-setting $30.6MM spike, the RB market — following Jonathan Taylor‘s October extension — course corrected a bit. A host of starters landed decent deals in 2024, but the Eagles came in with an outlier pact that rewarded the top talent on the market. Barkley’s $26MM guarantee at signing leads the RB pack, and the Eagles pounced after the Giants passed on a second franchise tag.

The Eagles won a bidding war that featured a lucrative Texans offer, along with Bears and Chargers interest, for a player who has dealt with a number of injuries but one that has shown difference-making ability when healthy. Barkley spent much of his prime trapped behind poor Giants O-lines. The Eagles are betting the two-time Pro Bowler has some of his prime remaining, and they will place him behind a top-tier offensive front. Barkley still finished in the top 10 in rushing yards over expected last season, and he powered the Giants to the 2022 divisional round despite that team being largely bereft of talent at the skill spots.

GM Joe Schoen citing the RB’s age (27) as a key factor behind the Giants moving on. Though, FA replacement Devin Singletary turns 27 today. The Giants will see the former Offensive Rookie of the Year again soon. Unlike the Falcons and Kirk Cousins, no tampering penalty ultimately emerged for the Eagles.

As the Jets’ standoff with Haason Reddick persists, the Eagles poached a player New York had deemed ill-equipped for full-time duty. The Eagles appear prepared to unleash Huff, who led the NFL in pressure rate (21.8%) during his 10-sack breakout season. The Jets passed on franchise-tagging Huff, and as they aim for Reddick to be an every-down player, the Eagles clearly viewed Robert Saleh‘s designated pass rusher as an underused asset.

The Jets gave Huff, a 2020 UDFA, just 480 defensive snaps last season. He flashed brightly for another imposing defense, albeit in a part-time capacity. Vic Fangio has a history of coaxing high-end production from edge players, with DPR-type Aldon Smith‘s early-career 49ers work coming to mind. The Eagles could come out of this Reddick-for-Huff switch looking good, though they will bet on a player PFF deemed a poor run defender being able to handle an increased workload.

Re-signings:

Brandon Graham, DE. One year, $4MM ($4MM guaranteed)
Braden Mann, P. Two years, $4.2MM ($2.78MM guaranteed)
Avonte Maddox, CB. One year, $2MM ($875K guaranteed)
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE. One year, $1.4MM ($725K guaranteed)
Rick Lovato, LS. One year, $1.26MM ($550K guaranteed)

Graham edged Kelce for the Eagles’ games-played crown, with both surpassing David Akers‘ mark last season. Graham (195 career games), however, had wanted to become the first Eagle to play 15 years with the team. He is about to eclipse Chuck Bednarik‘s franchise longevity standard. Graham, 36, is back in place as a supplementary pass rusher. Fangio will be Graham’s ninth defensive coordinator (counting the Matt Patricia period) in a career that dates back to Sean McDermott‘s tenure in the post, making it interesting the Eagles have continued to value the 2010 first-rounder as they have.

After a career-high 11 sacks during Fangio’s consulting season in 2022, Graham totaled three under Patricia and Sean Desai‘s guidance. The former Super Bowl hero is prepared to retire after this season. Of the Core Four, Lane Johnson has a ways to go in order to catch the Michigan product for Eagles service time.

The Eagles both cut and signed Maddox this offseason. The team moved on from Maddox’s 2021 extension, as he ran into persistent injury trouble on the deal. Similar to the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott, the Eagles are taking on dead money for a player they have since re-signed.

Maddox’s previous contract still counts $7.72MM on Philly’s payroll. Maddox, 28, is shifting from slot corner to backup safety this year. Given the Eagles’ injury trouble on the back end, Maddox may be valuable. Though, he has missed 21 games over the past two seasons. The Eagles have two DBs — Maddox and Gardner-Johnson — who made it back from September pec tears by season’s end.

Notable losses:

Kevin Byard, S (released)
Fletcher Cox, DT (retired)
Zach Cunningham, LB
Justin Evans, S
Julio Jones, WR
Jason Kelce, C (retired)
Shaquille Leonard, LB
Marcus Mariota, QB
Nicholas Morrow, LB
DeVante Parker, WR (retired)
Bradley Roby, CB
Boston Scott, RB
D’Andre Swift, RB
Quez Watkins, WR
Olamide Zaccheaus, WR

Kelce’s ESPN and Amazon deals will keep him in football fans’ lives for the foreseeable future, but the Eagles will miss a player who turned in one of the greatest after-30 stretches in NFL history. A zero-time All-Pro in his 20s, Kelce retired after collecting six of the past seven first-team honors at center. The Eagles counted on the gregarious presence for leadership purposes, a component that will also be missed for a team that imploded down the stretch last season.

The Tush Push anchor — to the point it is worth wondering how well the Eagles will execute that play henceforth — became one of the greatest centers in NFL history, once boosted McCoy to a rushing title and later helped keep the 2017 squad afloat under Nick Foles. Playing lead roles for two Super Bowl-bound squads, Kelce played lead roles in both Hurts and Carson Wentz securing monster extensions. The Eagles continued to retain Kelce, 37, on a year-to-year basis; how their O-line looks without him will be fascinating to observe.

The Eagles are taking on $8.7MM this year for Kelce’s retirement, processed as a post-June 1 transaction that will see $16.4MM hit Philly’s books in 2025. Cox will count $4.2MM against the Eagles’ 2024 cap and $10.1MM on their ’25 payroll. The interior pillars proved worth this damage during their careers, with Cox spending a period as the NFL’s second-best D-tackle behind Aaron Donald.

A six-time Pro Bowler, Cox contributed seven sacks to the Eagles’ record-setting push in 2022 and added five in his NFL finale. The Patriots double-teaming Cox on that seminal Super Bowl LII snap gave Graham a one-on-one matchup, leading to the latter’s strip of Tom Brady en route to the team’s conquest. The Eagles have Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter ready for more work, and while Cox (no Pro Bowls since 2020) may not be as difficult to replace as Kelce, this will still be a transition for a team that continued to keep its long-running OL/DL quartet around.

Taking a backseat to Kenneth Gainwell in Week 1 of last season, Swift took the reins quickly and delivered by far his best season. While the Eagles are aiming to use Barkley more as a receiver — as Hurts has not turned to RBs for help much in that department — the Bears probably have the same intentions with Swift, who was more dynamic in Detroit. Behind Philly’s top-shelf O-line, however, Swift amassed 1,049 rushing yards. His odometer reads 788 career touches (to Barkley’s 1,489), but the team is clearly convinced a substantial upgrade is coming.

Trades:

Obtained conditional 2026 third-round pick from Jets for DE Haason Reddick
Acquired WR Jahan Dotson, 2025 fifth-round pick from Commanders for higher of Philly’s two 2025 third-rounders, lowest two 2025 sevenths
Added QB Kenny Pickett, No. 120 from Steelers for No. 98, Eagles’ two highest 2025 seventh-rounders

Reddick overdelivered on his three-year, $45MM Eagles deal, combining for 19.5 sacks between the 2022 regular season and playoffs and then adding 11 more last season. While Reddick ranks fourth among 2020s sackers with 50.5, he has never been paid like an elite rusher. That is now the Jets’ problem, after the Eagles landed Huff to team with Sweat. Though, Reddick’s holdout still impacts the Eagles, as the pick becomes a second-rounder if Reddick plays 67.5% of Gang Green’s 2024 snaps and records 10 sacks.

After granting Reddick permission to find a trade — one the Temple alum insisted he did not request — the Eagles tabled Reddick’s $1MM roster bonus to April 1. This all but ensured he would be dealt. The Jets made a low-ball offer before agreeing to trade for him, and he has held out for nearly six weeks.

Pickett faceplanted in Pittsburgh and did not exactly take his demotions for Mason Rudolph or Russell Wilson well. The Eagles will take a risk having him as Hurts’ backup, as the dual-threat starter missed time in 2021 and ’22 (when Gardner Minshew was QB2) and played through a leg injury last season.

The Eagles made an offer to see about a reunion with Joe Flacco, briefly a Hurts backup in 2021, but the reigning Comeback Player of the Year joined the Colts. Pickett has managed 13 TD passes in 24 starts; two years remain on the former No. 20 overall pick’s rookie contract.

As Brown and Smith have thrived, the team has been unable to find a reliable third wideout. Quez Watkins and Julio Jones were not up to the task, and while Parris Campbell remains in the mix after joining the practice squad, the role may still be up for grabs. Enter Dotson, who returns to Pennsylvania after inconsistency in Washington.

The Penn State alum did not fare as well in Eric Bieniemy‘s offense, clashing with the OC and ranking near the bottom in ESPN’s open score metric in 2023. Two years remain on the former No. 16 pick’s rookie deal, and after two 500-plus-yard seasons with below-average QB play, the Eagles replicated their Pickett trade package to see if a better environment can bring an uptick.

Draft:

Round 1, No. 22: Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo) (signed)
Round 2, No. 40 (from Bears through Commanders): Cooper DeJean (CB, Iowa) (signed)
Round 3, No. 94 (from 49ers): Jalyx Hunt (EDGE, Houston Christian) (signed)
Round 4, No. 127 (from Eagles): Will Shipley (RB, Clemson) (signed)
Round 5, No. 152 (from Seahawks through Commanders): Ainias Smith (WR, Texas A&M) (signed)
Round 5, No. 155 (from Steelers through Rams, Panthers and Colts): Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB, Clemson) (signed)
Round 5, No. 172: Trevor Keegan (G, Michigan) (signed)
Round 6, No. 185: Johnny Wilson (WR, Florida State) (signed)
Round 6, No. 190 (from Saints through Packers): Dylan McMahon (C, NC State) (signed)

The Eagles were the only team to primarily start two 30-somethings at outside cornerback last season. As the pass rush did not get home at the historic rate it did in 2022, the Darius Slay–James Bradberry pair did not play as well. Maddox also missed most of the year. Philly became connected to corners during the draft run-up, and buzz about a trade-up surfaced. The flood of QBs and tackles to come off the board early aided the Eagles, who did not need to climb up for Mitchell.

Mitchell led Division I-FBS with 25 passes defensed in 2022, returning two of his five interceptions for touchdowns that year. The mid-major cover man did nothing to drop his stock in 2023, attaining All-American acclaim. Set to team with Slay and the reinstated Isaiah Oliver as starters, Mitchell enters his rookie season with plenty on his plate. The team has the 6-foot CB set for a three-down role, which looks likely to involve base-set boundary work and sub-package slot functions. It will be interesting to see how Mitchell moves from the MAC to a full-time NFL role.

Philadelphia jumped to No. 40 for DeJean, who starred at Iowa before suffering a fractured fibula last season. DeJean joined Mitchell in intercepting five passes in 2022; the Hawkeyes star returned three picks for TDs. Rumors about a move to safety naturally surfaced, as there has not been a white NFL starting corner since 2003. But Fangio confirmed the Eagles view DeJean as a corner. DeJean did not come off the Eagles’ NFI list until mid-August, pointing to a ramp-up period. Rodgers is in place as a potential bridge, giving the Eagles options on the boundary.

Hunt combined for 13.5 sacks in two seasons at Houston Christian, a Division I-FCS program. The Cornell transfer may not see too much time in 2024, with Graham and Sweat rostered. The Eagles will gauge the small-school product’s readiness, however, and Graham’s retirement and Sweat’s potential free agency exit would stand to open the door to a heavy rotational role behind Bryce Huff and Nolan Smith. Arriving in Philly just 15 years after his father’s Eagles career wrapped, Trotter could be a starter-in-waiting behind the likes of White and Baun.

Making a record-setting (in the seven-round era) eight draft-weekend trades, Roseman also targeted what is expected to be a deeper 2025 draft by adding third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks via trade-down moves. NIL and the COVID-19 fifth year thinned this class’ talent pool, and the Eagles will have extra ammo — even after already using one of the third-rounders to acquire Dotson — next year.

Other:

Fired offensive coordinator Brian Johnson; names Kellen Moore as replacement
Did not retain defensive coordinator Sean Desai, de facto DC Matt Patricia; Vic Fangio added as replacement
Extended special teams coordinator Michael Clay
Hired former Seahawks DC Clint Hurtt as D-line coach, Doug Nussmeier as QBs coach
Director of football administration Jake Rosenberg left organization
NFL reinstated CB Isaiah Rodgers from gambling ban
Claimed DT Byron Young off waivers from Raiders

The Eagles’ undoing naturally prompted ownership to seek staff changes. While Doug Pederson did not respond well to such requests after the 2020 season, Sirianni moved on from Johnson and made the expected move to ditch his co-DC setup. It did not appear Sirianni was too close to losing his job, having gone 3-for-3 in playoff berths and nearly pushing the 2022 squad to the mountaintop, but the team showed interest in Bill Belichick after he became a coaching free agent (that interest is mutual). Sirianni is on the hot seat.

Chief among Sirianni’s issues, his relationship with Jalen Hurts deteriorated last year. Hurts grew frustrated with the offense’s direction, and as he sought to expand the scheme Sirianni brought with him from Indianapolis, drew hero-ball accusations. Hurts was accused of tuning out his coach — as his INT count spiked to 15 — and Sirianni minimized Johnson’s power to the point confusion existed about the unit’s play-caller. This ended with Johnson booted after one OC season. Hurts’ two-year position coach, whom the QB has known since childhood, dropped off the OC tier this offseason and is now the Commanders’ pass-game coordinator.

Sirianni and Hurts have attempted to mend fences this year, and the coach has stepped back to give Moore more autonomy than Johnson received. Formerly an HC carousel rider, Moore has the keys to a third team’s offense in three years.

The former Cowboys play-caller drew a bad hand with the Chargers, as Mike Williams and Justin Herbert went down, but he has seen his stock dip since Dallas’ 2021 attack ranked first across the board. Moore has brought much-needed motion concepts, after the Eagles ranked last in 2023 motion usage. Hurts bouncing back would undoubtedly rocket the 35-year-old coordinator back into HC consideration.

Fangio ruffled feathers in Miami, alienating several players during his one-and-done Dolphins DC stay. The AFC East team let the veteran DC out of a contract that paid high-end coordinator money ($4MM-plus), and some Dolphins believed Fangio wanted to be back in Philly last season. The Pennsylvania native took the Miami job before Jonathan Gannon had made it clear he would leave for Arizona, complicating matters for the Eagles, whose defense regressed — dropping to 29th in DVOA — under Desai and Patricia.

Fangio, 66, is one of this era’s top defensive minds. Beginning his pro career as an assistant for the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars 40 years ago, Fangio is aiming to wrap his coaching run with the Eagles.

Top 10 cap charges for 2024:

Lane Johnson, RT: $15.87MM
Jalen Hurts, QB: $13.56MM
A.J. Brown, WR: $11.83MM
Jordan Mailata, LT: $11.62MM
Darius Slay, CB: $10.65MM
Dallas Goedert, TE: $9.13MM
Brandon Graham, DE: $8.19MM
DeVonta Smith, WR: $8.13MM
Josh Sweat, DE: $8.03MM
Landon Dickerson, LG: $5.99MM

Adding younger pieces in key defensive places and locking in cornerstone offensive talent to go along with last year’s Hurts extension, the Eagles laid out what looks like a better plan this offseason. Fangio and Moore bring far more experience than Philly’s initial post-Gannon/Shane Steichen coordinators carried. Superior parts being in place cranks up the heat on Sirianni.

With the Commanders rebuilding and the Giants clinging to a blueprint most do not believe will work, the Eagles still should have a smoother runway toward an NFC East title. They have traded the crown with the Cowboys for most of the past decade. The NFC still appears shallower than the AFC, and the Eagles will need to capitalize in order to extend Sirianni’s tenure. Hurts moving back on track could well be enough for the team’s CEO head coach, but as Belichick circles the NFC East, the Eagles are set for a pivotal rebound effort as a whole.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/3/24

September 3rd, 2024 at 6:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:

Green Bay Packers

Signed: RB Chris Brooks

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: CB Eric Scott

Miami Dolphins

Signed: DE Derrick McClendon

New England Patriots

Signed: T Caleb Jones
Released: DE Brevin Allen

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: OL Jack Driscoll, WR Kyle Philips
Released: TE Kevin Foelsch, S Caden Sterns

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: LB DaShaun White
Released: WR Tay Martin

Seattle Seahawks

Released: DL Kyon Barrs, OL Max Pircher

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: T Raiqwon O’Neal
Released: C Avery Jones

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/1/24

September 1st, 2024 at 8:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

Sunday saw only one team make any practice squad moves:

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: WR Griffin Hebert, TE Kevin Foelsch

Hebert, 25, first joined the Eagles’ taxi squad last December. He did not see any game time but remained with the organization on a futures contract. Philadelphia waived him in April before bringing him back into the fold in time for training camp. Hebert was among the team’s final roster cuts, but he will stay in place by once again taking a practice squad deal.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/30/24

August 30th, 2024 at 9:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

Many teams used Friday to make further adjustments to their practice squads. Here is the full breakdown:

Baltimore Ravens

Signed: OLB Adedayo Odeleye

Carolina Panthers

Signed: QB John Wolford, WR Deon Cain, OL Brandon Walton
Released: S Alex Cook, DT Walter Palmore, OL Mason Brooks

Denver Broncos

Signed: LB Levelle Bailey

Green Bay Packers

Signed: FB Andrew Beck, CB Kamal Hadden, RB La’Mical Perine
Placed on IR: RB Nate McCrary

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: QB John Rhys Plumlee

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed: CB Nic Jones, DT Marlon Tuipulotu
Released: RB Emani Bailey

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: CB M.J. Devonshire

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: RB Jaret Patterson
Released: RB Isaiah Spiller

Los Angeles Rams

Signed: DT Cory Durden
Released: DT Tuli Letuligasenoa

Miami Dolphins

Signed: OLB William Bradley-King, T Anderson Hardy, RB Deneric Prince

New England Patriots

Signed: CB Isaiah Bolden, LB Ochaun Mathis

New York Giants

Signed: S Gervarrius Owens
Released: LB K.J. Cloyd

New York Jets

Signed: WR Jason Brownlee
Released: WR Lance McCutcheon

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: S JT Woods

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: OL John Leglue, OL Doug Nester, LB Devin Harper, LB Adetokunbo Ogundeji, WR Brandon Johnson

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: LB Tyreke Smith

Wolford’s seven regular season appearances to date have all come with the Rams. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Buccaneers, though, working with then-offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Canales is now the head coach in Carolina, and Wolford has followed him in a bid to earn a 53-man roster spot at some point during the season. The Panthers already had Jack Plummer on their taxi squad, but Wolford will offer Canales and Co. a more familiar option behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 8/29/24

August 29th, 2024 at 8:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

PFR’s practice squad rundown, signaling we are indeed close to games that count, begins Thursday. Here is how teams began to handle their 16-man P-squads.

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: TE Jordan Murray, DL PJ Mustipher, OL Luke Tenuta

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: LB Monty Rice, OL Elijah Wilkinson

Carolina Panthers

Signed: OL Ja’Tyre Carter, WR Jalen Coker, TE Feleipe Franks, LB Thomas Incoom, DE Tarron Jackson, DT Jayden Peevy, S Demani Richardson

Chicago Bears

Signed: OL Chris Glaser, DL Sam Roberts
Released: DB Quindell Johnson, DL Dashaun Mallory

Cincinnati Bengals

Signed: G Tashawn Manning, RB Kendall Milton, DT Justin Rogers, DE Isaiah Thomas

Cleveland Browns

Signed: RB Gary Brightwell, WR Tulu Griffin, TE Cameron Latu, TE Blake Whiteheart
Released: LS Rex Sunahara

Dallas Cowboys

Signed: DT Phil Hoskins, CB Amani Oruwariye

Detroit Lions

Released: S C.J. Moore

Houston Texans

Signed: T Braeden Daniels, TE Cole Fotheringham, WR Xavier Johnson, S Mark Perry, QB Kedon Slovis

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: DT McTelvin Agim, DE Titus Leo, TE Sean McKeon, G Atonio Mafi, K Spencer Shrader

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signed: OL Blake Hance, S Matthew Jackson, WR Louis Rees-Zammit

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed: TE Justin Shorter

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed: S Tony Jefferson, C Sam Mustipher, TE Eric Tomlinson
Released: CB Robert Kennedy

Los Angeles Rams

Released: RB Zach Evans

Miami Dolphins

Signed: QB Tim Boyle

Minnesota Vikings

Signed: T Ricky Lee, RB Zavier Scott
Released: WR Jeshaun Jones, RB DeWayne McBride

New England Patriots

Signed: DE Brevin Allen, G Jerome Carvin, DT Trysten Hill, C Bryan Hudson, G Michael Jordan, WR Jalen Reagor

New Orleans Saints

Signed: T Austin Deculus, TE Treyton Welch
Released: TE Mason Fairchild

New York Giants

Signed: CB Art Green, DT Elijah Garcia, CB Duke Shelley

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: OL Brett Toth

Pittsburgh Steelers

Signed: CB Anthony Averett, FB Jack Colletto, CB Zyon Gilbert, CB Thomas Graham Jr., LB Marcus Haynes, DL Jacob Slade, RB Jonathan Ward, TE Rodney Williams

San Francisco 49ers

Signed: WR Terrace Marshall, RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn

Seattle Seahawks

Signed: CB Josh Jobe, LB Tyreke Smith
Released: T Raiqwon O’Neal

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Signed: C Avery Jones, T Lorenz Metz, WR Ryan Miller, WR Cody Thompson

Tennessee Titans

Signed: DL James Lynch

Washington Commanders

Signed: LB Jalen Graham, CB Bobby Price

Slovis went to camp with the Colts, joining the team as a UDFA this year. Houston placed Case Keenum on IR and released Tim Boyle, who is now the Dolphins’ P-squad QB. Slovis, who played at USC, Pittsburgh and BYU in college, is now the Texans’ de facto third-stringer.

Shelley has 11 career starts — with the Bears and Vikings — on his resume. He joined the Raiders last year but ended up with the Rams, playing in 11 games as a backup. The Giants have spent time searching for a cornerback answer, having not been too satisfied with their Cor’Dale Flott–Nick McCloud CB2 competition. New York did not make any waiver claims at the position Wednesday.

Reagor, who played for the Patriots last season, is back after being released earlier this week. The former Minnesota first-rounder played in 11 New England games last season, returning a kick for a touchdown. Latu joins the Browns after being a 49ers cut. The 2023 third-round pick missed all of last season with an ACL tear. Jefferson is back with the Bolts hours after being released.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/29/24

August 29th, 2024 at 8:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed from practice squad: LB Krys Barnes
Placed on IR: CB Elijah Jones

Carolina Panthers

Signed from practice squad: TE Jordan Matthews
Placed on IR: DL Jaden Crumedy

Cincinnati Bengals

Re-signed: RB Trayveon Williams
Placed on IR: DT McKinnley Jackson

Dallas Cowboys

Placed on IR: T Chuma Edoga (story)

Denver Broncos

Signed: LB Kristian Welch
Waived: LB Levelle Bailey

Detroit Lions

Placed on IR: DL John Cominsky (story)

Green Bay Packers

Removed from IR via injury settlement: CB Brandon Facyson, RB Jarveon Howard

Las Vegas Raiders

Removed from IR via injury settlement: LB Elerson Smith

Los Angeles Chargers

Waived: RB Jaret Patterson

Los Angeles Rams

Placed on IR: OL Conor McDermott

Miami Dolphins

Signed: LS Blake Ferguson
Placed on IR: S Patrick McMorris

New York Giants

Signed: LB Curtis Bolton, FB Jakob Johnson
Placed on IR: OL Austin Schlottmann
Removed from IR via injury settlement: WR Dennis Houston, OL Jalen Mayfield

Philadelphia Eagles

Waived: DT Marlon Tuipulotu

Pittsburgh Steelers

Removed from IR via injury settlement: LB Julius Welschof

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Removed from IR via injury settlement: LB Kalen DeLoach

Tennessee Titans

Removed from IR via injury settlement: WR Kyle Philips

Washington Commanders

Removed from IR via injury settlement: LB Keandre Jones, S Ben Nikke

Schlottmann suffered what Brian Daboll called a long-term injury. Elaborating on the injury Schlottmann suffered in practice Wednesday, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan notes the veteran backup O-lineman will rehab a broken fibula. The injury is expected to shut down the free agency addition for at least two months. No surgery is on tap for Schlottmann. The Giants considering him for activation may depend on their injury situation, as teams only have eight regular-season IR activations. The Giants have seven presently, as they used a summer IR designation on linebacker Matthew Adams on Tuesday.

Eagles Claim DT Byron Young

August 29th, 2024 at 3:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of two Byron Youngs chosen in the 2023 third round, the defensive tackle is on the move. After the Raiders waived their Byron Young on Wednesday, the Eagles submitted a successful claim, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.

Chosen 70th overall out of Alabama, Young played in six games last season and saw only 99 defensive snaps for the Raiders. The Rams received more promising work from their Byron Young — an edge rusher out of Tennessee — and the Eagles will take a flier on the other defender. Three years remain on the DT’s rookie contract.

The Raiders nabbed Young with the first of their two third-round picks last year, later choosing slot receiver Tre Tucker. The latter is ticketed for a regular role in his second season, with the team cutting Hunter Renfrow. Las Vegas spent big for Christian Wilkins in free agency, further limiting Young’s upward mobility. The team also waived D-lineman Matthew Butler, a 2022 fifth-round pick, on Tuesday. Butler, however, landed on Las Vegas’ practice squad. Young became a more attractive commodity on waivers.

Young, 23, will join former first-round picks Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis among Philly’s DT corps, a group that includes former third-rounder Milton Williams as well. The Eagles lost Fletcher Cox to retirement. Marlon Tuipulotu also remains on the Eagles’ 53-man roster. Young will make for seven D-linemen on the team’s roster, being set to learn Vic Fangio‘s scheme.

Coming to Vegas after earning first-team All-SEC acclaim in 2022, Young totaled four sacks and five tackles for loss in his final Crimson Tide season. In 2021, he produced nine TFLs and two sacks. While it is surprising to see a player drafted so highly cut after one year, the Raiders changed regimes in that span, firing the Dave Ziegler–Josh McDaniels pair and then hiring Tom Telesco as GM. While Antonio Pierce was in place when Young was drafted, he stood as the Silver and Black’s linebackers coach at that point. The Eagles will now gauge Young’s form.

Eagles Place James Bradberry On IR

August 29th, 2024 at 1:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

1:55pm: The Eagles have indeed placed Bradberry on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the season. In a corresponding move, veteran special teamer Oren Burks has been signed to the active roster (h/t PHLY’s Zach Berman).

12:12 pm: James Bradberry made the Eagles’ 53-man roster after drawing trade interest. The veteran defensive back will not be available at the start of the season, however.

Bradberry suffered a lower leg injury during practice on Wednesday, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. The ailment involves a tendon, so while surgery will not be needed, a notable absence is expected. Bradberry is facing a six-to-eight week recovery timetable, per the report.

The 31-year-old was on the roster bubble throughout the offseason, one in which he transitioned from corner to safety. It would not have come as a surprise if Bradberry had been dealt, and the Titans inquired about a potential swap. In the end, though, the former Pro Bowler secured a roster spot during cutdowns on Tuesday, putting him in line for a role of some kind at safety. Philadelphia’s depth on the backend will now be tested.

Bradberry suggested the position change after spending his first eight seasons as a corner. He remained a full-time starter during his first two Eagles campaigns, but one of the team’s top priorities in the offseason was upgrading in the secondary. Philadelphia selected Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the first two rounds of the draft, and they are both in line for notable roles as rookies. Darius Slay remains in place as a veteran first-team option at cornerback.

The Eagles’ safety depth chart consists of C.J. Gardner-Johnson (with whom the team reunited in free agency), Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown and Avonte Maddox. The latter has seen time at slot corner, but he joined Bradberry in making the move to safety this year. Philadelphia will thus have a number of options to choose from while Bradberry is sidelined, but a decision will now need to be made in his case regarding injured reserve.

Moving players to IR guarantees at least a four-game absence, and teams have eight total activations available for the regular season. In the Eagles’ case, two of those will be used when veteran tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and rookie receiver Ainias Smith are brought back into the fold. One of Philadelphia’s moves during the cutdown deadline was also the decision to place Brown on the reserve/PUP list, meaning he will miss the opening four games at a minimum. With Bradberry now on the mend as well, it will be interesting to see if the team pursues a short-term depth addition at safety.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC East

August 28th, 2024 at 6:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Commanders, Cowboys, Eagles and Giants moves are noted below.

Dallas Cowboys

Signed:

Claimed:

Signed to practice squad:

T Josh Ball, CB Josh Butler, WR Jalen Cropper, RB Malik Davis, DT Denzel Daxon, TE Princeton Fant, CB Kemon Hall, WR Kelvin Harmon, LB Darius Harris, S Emany Johnson, DE Carl Lawson, LB Brock Mogensen, OL Dakoda Shepley, LB Nick Vigil