Report: Eagles hiring former Temple DC as secondary coach
According to a report from Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports, the Eagles have found a replacement for secondary coach Dennard Wilson.
Wilson, who was first reported to have mutually parted ways with the Eagles, was actually fired by Nick Sirianni a few weeks back, sources told Marcus Hayes. Now, after Wilson found a new home in Baltimore, it seems the Birds have locked down his replacement.
» READ MORE: Nick Sirianni courts mutiny by firing DB coach Dennard Wilson after snubbing him as Eagles DC
— Matt Mullin
New Eagles cornerback Greedy Williams explains his first name
New Eagles cornerback Greedy Williams was introduced to Eagles reporters Tuesday afternoon, where the 25-year-old explained the origin of his unusual first name, which he attributed to his aunt.
“She passed way in 2022. She gave me the name Greedy at a young age, six months,” Williams explained. “She said I was drinking a lot of milk. She just came up with ‘Greedy Deedy,’ but my mom left the Deedy out, and I’ve been Greedy since.”
Williams’ birth name is Andraez, but he said everyone called him Greedy and thinks it fits well for a cornerback in the NFL.
“Got to get them picks, man,” Williams said. “That’s what we’re pushing for. Keep that name alive, make plays, and make the fans happy. Make everyone happy.”
Williams considered the Eagles to be a great fit for his skillset, and credited the team as a place where players go to win.
“This is a winning culture, they compete, and that’s what I wanted to be a part of,” Williams said.
» READ MORE: Eagles agree to terms with free-agent CB Greedy Williams
— Rob Tornoe
Three free agent safeties who could make sense for the Eagles
The Eagles have lost both of their starting safeties in free agency, but the team has come to an agreement with Justin Evans, who played 15 games for the New Orleans Saints last season.
The current market bodes well for the Eagles, who could identify a cheaper-than-expected option at safety.
Some of the top remaining free agents include:
Taylor Rapp: Over the past two seasons, Rapp has recorded 122 tackles, 12 passes defensed, six interceptions, and four quarterback hits. He also was a starter for the Los Angles Rams team that won Super Bowl LVI.
John Johnson: The 28-year-old signed a three-year contract worth $33.75 million in 2021, but was recently released by the Cleveland Browns with a post-June 1 designation. Johnson is still considered to be in his prime, and he might be looking to reset his market. He’s recorded 100-plus tackles in three of six seasons, and he has 41 career passes defensed with 12 interceptions.
Adrian Amos: The former Green Bay Packers defender could be the most intriguing choice, considering his four years of experience playing under new defensive coordinator Sean Desai with the Chicago Bears. Over eight NFL seasons, Amos, 30, has 636 tackles with 48 passes defensed and 10 interceptions across 126 games (122 starts) with the Packers and Bears.
» READ MORE: Assessing the Eagles’ options at the safety position
— Josh Tolentino
The Eagles saw risk to re-signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson
The Eagles offered safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson a multi-year deal early in free agency. He sought more than they were offering. The team eventually moved on and directed their attention to re-signing James Bradberry (3 years, $38 million, $20 million guaranteed) and restructuring Darius Slay’s existing deal.
Gardner-Johnson’s market value was nowhere near what he and many outside observers predicted. Jessie Bates got top dollar at $16 million a year — $13 million if you only count the guaranteed figure — but the next group of free agent safeties got significantly less.
On paper, Gardner-Johnson has obvious appeal. Despite moving to safety after the Eagles traded for the former Saints slot cornerback, he tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with six despite missing five games and brought a physicality to the middle of Jonathan Gannon’s defense.
He was occasionally prone to mental errors or missed tackles, but his instincts and athleticism offset some of the on-field negatives. Off the field, Gardner-Johnson created some initial friction, but Eagles leaders and internal support got him to buy into the program in a contract year.
But the team viewed him as a risk if he signed a multi-year deal — the risk being that Gardner-Johnson could be affected by the millions of dollars he was now being paid.
He was liked by many within the Eagles, but Gardner-Johnson required extra care. His since-deleted tweets criticizing Gannon or claiming disrespect during the free agency process only hinted at the ways in which he tested his first two teams.
Gardner-Johnson’s representative tweeted that the Eagles offered a back-loaded three-year, $24 million contract with $17 million coming in the last year.
True or not, that is generally not how Eagles general manager Howie Roseman structures his deals and it seems unlikely that they would make an offer with a per-year guaranteed number far below what he ultimately got with a one-year, prove-it deal.
» READ MORE: A look inside Howie Roseman’s handling of Eagles free agency
— Jeff McLane
Eagles to sign linebacker Nicholas Morrow
After losing starting linebackers T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White in free agency, the Eagles have started to address the position.
On Tuesday, the team announced it agreed to terms with linebacker Nicholas Morrow.
After having missed the entire 2021 season with a foot injury, Morrow returned last season, appearing in all 17 games for the Chicago Bears. He recorded a career-best 116 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss with two passes defensed and one interception.
Morrow, who turns 28 in July, entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Division III Greenville in 2017, when he signed with the Raiders.
Over his first four seasons with the Raiders, Morrow compiled 254 tackles, including 31 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles with 22 passes defensed.
The Eagles will need to continue to address their losses on defense after multiple starters departed in free agency, including Edwards, White, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, and safeties Marcus Epps and C.J Gardner-Johnson.
Aside from Morrow, inside linebackers on the depth chart include second-year Nakobe Dean, Shaun Bradley, Christian Elliss, and Davion Taylor.
» READ MORE: Eagles sign free agent linebacker Nicholas Morrow, formerly of the Bears
— Josh Tolentino
NFL Network: Texas running back Bijan Robinson visiting the Eagles
Texas running back Bijan Robinson, one of the top-rated running backs in the upcoming NFL draft, is making a pre-draft visit with the Eagles today, according to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo.
Robinson posted a photo of Lincoln Financial Field on Instagram Monday night.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has never used a first-round draft pick to select a running back and the chances of Robinson making it to 30th overall seem slim, according to Inquirer beat reporter EJ Smith. But the Eagles do need to fill the role vacated by Pro Bowler Miles Sanders, who signed a four-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Eagles are also set to have a pre-draft visit from LSU defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
» READ MORE: Eagles draft tracker: Breaking down all the Birds’ top-30 visits with NFL draft prospects
— Rob Tornoe
C.J. Gardner-Johnson has a lot to say about the Eagles
On Monday, new Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson said there was “no bad blood” with the Eagles after failing to agree to a deal to remain in Philadelphia.
That didn’t last long.
During that same press conference, Gardner-Johnson told reporters he thought the talent on the Lions roster was better than the Eagles, who had the best record in the NFL last season and are coming up a Super Bowl appearance.
“To be honest with you, it’s a little better, but that’s just on me,” Gardner-Johnson said.
Gardner-Johnson also tweeted and quickly deleted a message aimed at Birds fans, writing, “Philly fans call me overrated lol ... y’all was just my friend.”
— Rob Tornoe
Eagles to sign safety Justin Evans
The Eagles announced they agreed to terms with former New Orleans Saints safety Justin Evans.
The news comes less than one day after safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson departed the Eagles for the Detroit Lions in free agency.
Originally selected in the second round (No. 50 overall) during the 2017 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of Texas A&M, Evans returned to the field in 2022 after he missed the previous three seasons with various injuries, including a torn Achilles.
Evans, who turns 28 in August, appeared in 15 games for the Saints this past season. He recorded 29 tackles, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble while appearing in 39% of defensive snaps (392).
The Eagles are still expected to pursue additional depth at safety after losing a pair of starters in Marcus Epps and Gardner-Johnson. Other safeties currently on the roster include Reed Blankenship, Andre Chachere, and K’Von Wallace.
» READ MORE: Eagles to sign safety Justin Evans after losing C.J. Gardner-Johnson
— Josh Tolentino