While it wasn’t as eventful as Monday, the second day of the legal tampering period had it’s fireworks.
For the Eagles, Howie Roseman was active yet again.
Let’s get to the breakdown.
Eagles agree to terms with IOL Matt Hennessy
The Eagles first move of to the day was to add depth along the interior of their offensive line.
The team agreed to terms with 26-year-old, Matt Hennessy. The former third-round pick has started 22 games (41 games played) for the Atlanta Falcons in three years both at guard and center.
With Jason Kelce retired and both Sua Opeta and Jack Driscoll both free agents, the team has almost no experience along the interior and there isn’t an entrenched starter at right guard.
Hennessy provides depth behind Cam Jurgens (who hasn’t taken snaps at center in his NFL career) and experience throughout the offensive line room.
Hennessy also has ties to the Philadelphia area, as a former Temple Owl. He should compete with Tyler Steen for the starting right guard position.
Eagles add depth at receiver
The Eagles agreed to terms with former Dolphins and Patriots receiver DeVante Parker on a one-year deal.
The contract was described as $4.69 million ‘fully guaranteed’, but due to offset language in his contract with the Patriots, the Eagles are paying just $1.2 million of that.
Simply put, Parker’s last few seasons with the Patriots have not yielded positive results. The 31-year-old struggled to separate and never truly caught on in New England after they traded a 2023 third-round draft pick to the Dolphins for him.
With the Eagles, the veteran receiver hopes to catch on in what will likely be a limited role. There was some initial thought that he could potentially be used as a slot option, but only 16.3% of his snaps were taken from the slot last season. For comparison, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown were at 31.1% and 23.9% respectively.
The signing signals to me that it’s a low risk-high reward type of signing. If Parker shows up to training camp, competes, and catches on, he’ll make the 53 man roster as an outside receiver who can slot in when Smith or Brown slide inside. But if it doesn’t work out, Parker is only owed $1.2 million.
A familiar face returns to Philadelphia
According to reports from NFL network’s Tom Pelissero, the Eagles have agreed to terms with former Lions (and Eagles) safety/nickel corner, C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
The contract is a three-year deal with a $27 million base and $10 million guaranteed. He reportedly could earn more with incentives.
Gardner-Johnson gives the Eagles a versatile, ball-hawking weapon in their secondary.
In his lone season with the Eagles in 2022, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL in interceptions despite missing five games.
After what was a rocky exit following the 2022 season, Gardner-Johnson returns to a Philadelphia secondary that desperately missed his attitude and swagger.
In the Vic Fangio system, which values versatility, safeties are sort of used like chess pieces. They’re asked to run fit from deep depths, cover large portions of the field, rotate into different looks from pre to post snap, and act as hole players defending crossing routes.
Gardner-Johnson has the range to play the deep half and fluidity in his hips to turn and run.
Gardner-Johnson brings that in bulk as he can play single high, split field, in the slot, or in the box. He also possesses the requisite instincts and IQ to excel in this defensive system.
With defensive minds like Vic Fanigo, Christian Parker, and Joe Kasper now coaching him, the sky is the limit for Gardner-Johnson.
What’s Next?
Reportedly, the Eagles are still in the market for another safety and linebacker.
Some guys who make sense are former Rams safety, Jordan Fuller and former Dolphins linebacker, Jerome Baker.
Fuller has experience in a quarters heavy system from his time with Vic Fangio disciples Brandon Staley and Joe Barry. Fuller would also be huge from a culture perspective, as his leadership has been lauded by teammates and coaches alike.
Baker was with Fangio in Miami last season and he possesses the high end range and speed that Fangio requires of his off ball line backers.
Cover Image Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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