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Eagles news: Birds add pass-rush help, agree with Lane Johnson on contract extension; latest rumors and updates

As NFL free agency enters its second week, the Eagles have focused on smaller signings.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman (seen here with head coach Nick Sirianni) is focusing on smaller additions to the Birds' roster.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman (seen here with head coach Nick Sirianni) is focusing on smaller additions to the Birds' roster. Read more
Heather Khalifa / Staff Photographer
What you should know
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  1. After a quiet weekend the Eagles continued the trend of making smaller signings, adding former Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari. Here's our full Eagles free agency tracker.

  2. The Eagles announced that they agreed on terms with right tackle Lane Johnson for a one-year contract extension (through 2027).

  3. Here's what The Inquirer's Eagles writers think of the Birds signing former Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. More reactions: AJ Dillon | Dorian Thompson-Robinson | Kenyon Green

  4. Mekhi Becton is departing the Eagles and signing with the Chargers, setting up competition at starting right guard.

  5. Despite losing several starters last week, the Eagles will still be the best team in the NFL in 2025, writes columnist Marcus Hayes.

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Eagles add former Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari

Former New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) is signing a one-year deal with the Eagles.
Former New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) is signing a one-year deal with the Eagles. Read moreSue Ogrocki / AP

Another Georgia Bulldog is joining the Eagles defense.

The team is signing Azeez Ojulari, an edge rusher who has accumulated 22 sacks over his first NFL seasons with the Giants, a league source confirmed an ESPN report which says the deal is for one year and $4 million.

Ojulari, 24, was a second-round pick by New York in 2021. He played all 17 games that season and tallied eight sacks, but he hasn’t played a full season since. His 22 total sack number is even more impressive considering it has come in just 46 games while he has dealt with a series of lower-body injuries.

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Eagles, Lane Johnson agree to contract extension

Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson isn't going anywhere.
Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson isn't going anywhere. Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer

The Eagles have ensured that their franchise right tackle has the opportunity to be a part of their future for the next few years.

Lane Johnson agreed to terms on a one-year extension through 2027, the Eagles announced on Monday evening. Johnson, who turns 35 in May, will be going into his 15th season in Philadelphia when the new deal begins.

According to Johnson’s agent, Ken Sarnoff, the reworked contract adds $8 million over the next two years. He is also slated to earn $30 million in guaranteed money. Over the next two seasons, Johnson will earn $48 million, including $40 million guaranteed.

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What Azeez Ojulari brings to the Eagles

Prior to the Eagles agreeing to a one-year deal with former Giants pass rusher Azeez Ojulari, both Olivia Reiner and EJ Smith identified Ojulari as a potential fit for the Birds. Here's what they wrote at the time:

Olivia Reiner

If the Eagles are out on Myles Garrett and Josh Sweat walks, Roseman could take a chance on Azeez Ojulari, the New York Giants’ 2021 second-round pick out of Georgia. The 24-year-old Ojulari has suffered from numerous injuries over the last three years, never playing more than 500 snaps in each of those seasons, but his pass-rushing ability is evident when he is healthy. No player had more sacks than Ojulari (six) on 196 pass-rush snaps or fewer in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. | MORE

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After Browns and Raiders, Harrison Bryant excited to be joining Super Bowl champs

After spending his first four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns and his fifth with the Las Vegas Raiders, Harrison Bryant's reasoning for signing with the Eagles was pretty simple. He wanted to come to a winning organization, he said.

"What’s better than signing with the defending Super Bowl champs?" he said Monday.

Bryant, a tight end the Eagles signed last week to a one-year deal, was a depth signing for the Eagles, who have also added Kylen Granson to the tight end room this free agency period. The former John Mackey award winner as college football’s top tight end hasn't found himself at the top of any depth charts so far in five seasons after being a fourth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic.

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'Here I am': New long snapper Charley Hughlett on joining the Eagles

How does one get into long snapping? For Charley Hughlett, it was an open tryout at Central Florida.

Hughlett, the Eagles' new long snapper, was at UCF as a tight end. But just before his freshman season started, the regular snapper decided to quit. Hughlett had some snapping history from his time at Hillsborough High in Tampa, Fla., so when the team conducted an open tryout, Hughlett had an advantage.

The job was his. Seventeen years later ... "Here I am. It worked out," Hughlett said.

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Joshua Uche had interest from a 'couple other' teams, but Eagles were best fit

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Mekhi Becton thanks Jeff Stoutland after signing with Chargers

Former Eagles guard Mekhi Becton is heading to the Los Angeles Chargers, the third Birds starter to depart the team as a free agent.

On Monday, Becton posted a lengthy goodbye to the Eagles and Philadelphia, but devoted a huge chunk of the letter to Birds offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

"From day one, you believed in me, even before I fully believed in myself," Becton wrote. "You saw something in me, challenged me, and pushed me to reach a level I never knew I had. You made me a better player, but more importantly, a better man."

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Thumbs up, thumbs down: What to make of the new Eagles players

The Eagles haven’t made a ton of additions in free agency, opting for smaller moves involving inexpensive players with potential upsides. 

The most recent addition is former New York Giants cornerback Adoree Jackson, who brings experience to a young Eagles’ secondary without Darius Slay. 

Other notable additions include former Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillion, backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and guard Kenyon Green. Here’s what The Inquirer’s Eagles beat writers think of the Eagles’ moves so far. 

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Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. lands massive new deal

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Oren Burks says goodbye to Philly

Former Eagles linebacker Oren Burks, who signed a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, said goodbye to Philadelphia in a message on Instagram shared Sunday evening.

“While it was a short chapter in my career, it’s been a chapter well worth remembering,” Burks wrote. “It’s been an honor to go to battle for this organization, my teammates who have become brothers, and this city who embraced me with open arms.”

The former San Francisco 49ers backup was on a one-year deal with the Eagles, and for two straight seasons he found himself taking the field during the Super Bowl. Not bad for a player who has never been a full-time starter and barely made the Eagles’ 53-man roster. 

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Free agency updates: Former Eagles WR lands in Dallas

  1. Former Eagles WR lands in Dallas: After one-year stints with the Eagles and New York Giants, Parris Campbell is taking his tour of the NFC East to the Cowboys on a one-year deal. The sixth-year receiver will join former Birds running back Miles Sanders in Dallas.

  2. Cooper Rush jumping to the Ravens: The former Cowboys quarterback will back up Lamar Jackson on a new two-year deal, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The move means the Cowboys will need a new backup behind Dak Prescott, who started just eight games last year after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. 

  3. Bengals re-sign two star receivers: Cincinnati is giving new, four-year deals to Ja’Marr Chase ($161 million) and Tee Higgins ($115 million), according to the NFL Network. 

Rob Tornoe

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Eagles options to replace Mekhi Becton

Mekhi Becton became the latest on the Eagles’ growing list of departures from the Super Bowl team.

The right guard signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night, closing the door on a potential return to the Eagles. The 25-year-old spent one year with the Eagles and turned his career around by switching from offensive tackle to the interior line and emerging as a dependable starter. The Chargers listed Becton as a guard in the team’s official release following the signing.

Even before next month’s NFL draft, the team has some options to replace Becton in the starting offensive line.

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8 former Eagles players who have yet to sign elsewhere

A week into free agency and several former Eagles players have yet to sign elsewhere.

The list includes cornerback James Bradberry, whom the Eagles released last week after missing all of 2024 with a torn Achilles tendon and soleus muscle.

There's also Britain Covey, who became an unrestricted agent after the Eagles declined to tender the return specialist an offer. The Eagles did add Covey's potential replacement last week, signing former Atlanta Falcons return specialist Avery Williams to a one-year deal.

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2025 NFL calendar: Upcoming offseason dates

  1. March 30 to April 2: Annual league meeting at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

  2. April 18: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets

  3. April 24 to 26: NFL draft, Green Bay, Wisc.

  4. Sept. 4: NFL 2025 season kickoff, hosted by the Eagles against an unnamed opponent.

Rob Tornoe