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NFL free agency updates: Eagles to re-sign James Bradberry, add Rashaad Penny; Miles Sanders says goodbye

Philadelphia Inquirer 3/15/2023 Rob Tornoe, Matt Mullin, Jeff McLane, EJ Smith, Josh Tolentino, Robert Moran, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. © Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. With Jason Kelce's return, Cam Jurgens is expected to start at guard next season. © Heather Khalifa/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS With Jason Kelce's return, Cam Jurgens is expected to start at guard next season.

Eagles re-signing cornerback James Bradberry

// Timestamp 03/14/23 5:46pm

All-Pro cornerback James Bradberry is returning to the Eagles, according to league sources.

Former Georgia standout Nakobe Dean is expected to start for the Eagles next season. © YONG KIM / Staff Photographer/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Former Georgia standout Nakobe Dean is expected to start for the Eagles next season.

Bradberry’s deal, which was first reported by ESPN, spans three years and is worth $38 million with $20 million guaranteed.

The signing is a significant development for the Eagles secondary, which entered the offseason in flux with starting safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps as well as Bradberry all hitting the open market. The Eagles also gave veteran cornerback Darius Slay permission to seek a trade partner after contract restructuring talks went south.

Jason Kelce is returning to the Eagles on a one-year deal worth up to $14.75 million. © Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Jason Kelce is returning to the Eagles on a one-year deal worth up to $14.75 million.

Bradberry signed with the Eagles last offseason on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million after the Giants released him as a cap casualty late in the free-agency process. He viewed the short-term contract as an opportunity to prove his worth and cash in for a lucrative contract and had one of the best years of his career with the Eagles en route to Super Bowl LVII.

Javon Hargraves four-year, $84 million contract with the 49ers includes $40 million in total guarantees. © JOSÉ F. MORENO/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Javon Hargraves four-year, $84 million contract with the 49ers includes $40 million in total guarantees.

Bradberry had 12 pass breakups and three interceptions last season, playing opposite Slay and becoming a complimentary outside cornerback whose physicality paired well with Slay’s finesse coverage style.

Source: James Bradberry returning to the Eagles with $38 million deal

— EJ Smith

Eagles to re-sign Boston Scott

// Timestamp 03/14/23 5:08pm

Boston Scott agreed to terms with the Eagles Tuesday, according to a league source confirming an NFL Network report.

Scott will reportedly make around $2 million to stay with the Eagles on a one-year deal. The 27-year-old has spent five seasons with the Eagles as a reserve running back and return specialist at times. He had 54 carries for 217 yards and three touchdowns last season.

Former Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny is heading to the Eagles. © YONG KIM / Staff Photographer/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Former Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny is heading to the Eagles.

Scott was the second running back the Eagles agreed to contract terms with Tuesday afternoon. The team also agreed to sign free-agent running back Rashaad Penny when the league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m., according to league sources.

Linebacker Kyzir White is heading to the Arizona Cardinals. © Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Linebacker Kyzir White is heading to the Arizona Cardinals.

Scott and Penny will share a backfield with third-year running back Kenny Gainwell, who flashed potential during the Eagles’ playoff run earlier this year. Miles Sanders, last year’s starter, meanwhile thanked Eagles fans for their support on social media, potentially signaling his expectation to sign elsewhere.

Source: Boston Scott will be back with the Eagles on a one-year deal Eagles cornerback James Bradberry celebrates after the Eagles beat the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC Championship title at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia. © Yong Kim / Staff Photographer/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Eagles cornerback James Bradberry celebrates after the Eagles beat the San Francisco 49ers for the NFC Championship title at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia.

— EJ Smith

ESPN: Cowboys trading for Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore

// Timestamp 03/14/23 5:06pm

Eagles free agency tracker

// Timestamp 03/14/23 3:59pm

The Eagles entered the NFL’s free agency period with 18 players set to hit the open market, including seven defensive starters.

Here are the players the Eagles plan to sign or keep:

And here are the players leaving the Eagles:

— Rob Tornoe

Miles Sanders thanks Eagles fans

// Timestamp 03/14/23 3:59pm

Ex-Eagles linebacker Kyzir White to sign with Cardinals

// Timestamp 03/14/23 3:57pm

Former Eagles linebacker Kyzir White has agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals on a multi-year deal, a league source confirmed to The Inquirer on Tuesday afternoon.

White reunites with former defensive coordinator and new Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, in addition to former position coach and new Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.

White is the fourth defensive starter to depart in free agency, joining safety Marcus Epps (Las Vegas Raiders), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers), and fellow linebacker T.J. Edwards (Chicago Bears). The Eagles have three other starters who are free agents: defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, cornerback James Bradberry, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

White, a native of Allentown, joined the Eagles last offseason as a free agent on a one-year deal. This time around, he aspired to ink a multi-year deal after he recorded 110 tackles and seven passes defensed.

Nakobe Dean appears primed to take on a larger role, but the Eagles have multiple holes to fill, including both starting linebacker spots. The team possesses six picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, including four selections in the top 100 and two first-round picks.

— Josh Tolentino

Eagles to sign ex-Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny

// Timestamp 03/14/23 3:12pm

The Eagles have agreed to terms with free agent running back Rashaad Penny, according to league sources confirming an NFL Network report.

The terms to the deal, which can’t be made official until the new league year begins Wednesday afternoon, are unknown.

The Seattle Seahawks drafted Penny in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, but injuries and inconsistency kept him from realizing his potential.

For stretches of his career, Penny has flashed the potential that he originally showed at San Diego State. He finished the 2022 season with three straight games over 100 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns during that stretch.

Last year, he rushed for 346 yards in five games before going on injured reserve with a season-ending ankle injury.

Penny’s running style is best defined by his ability to run through arm tackles and break off explosive runs with home-run speed. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in 2018 and averaged 4.23 yards after contact last season according to Pro Football Focus.

Eagles agree to terms with free-agent running back Rashaad Penny

— EJ Smith

Reports: Giants trading for Raiders tight end Darren Waller

// Timestamp 03/14/23 2:25pm

The New York Giants are trading for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller, according to multiple reports.

The Giants are reportedly giving up a third round pick (No. 100) in the 2023 NFL Draft for Waller, who gives newly-signed quarterback Daniel Jones another weapon on offense.

Waller has struggled with injures the past two seasons, playing just eight games with the Raiders in 2022 after suffering a hamstring injury. He set a franchise-record with 107 receptions for the Raiders in 2020 for 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns.

— Rob Tornoe

ESPN: Aaron Rodgers gave the Jets a wish-list of free agents to acquire

// Timestamp 03/14/23 1:35pm

Things are still quiet on the Aaron Rodgers front one day after conflicting reports about the four-time MVP getting traded to the New York Jets.

On Tuesday, there have been multiple reports the Jets are interested in signing a number of potential offensive weapons that have a history with Rodgers, including tight end Marcedes Lewis and wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.

According to ESPN NFL reporter Dianna Russini, Rodgers gave the jets a wish list of players he wants the Jets to acquire ahead of a potential trade.

Former ESPNer Trey Wingo wrote on Twitter Monday he was hearing “Rodgers to the Jets is done.” NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport pushed back on that almost immediately, saying a deal is “not done” and “nothing has happened.”

It remains unclear if Rodgers will end up with the Jets, or what compensation they plan to hand over to the Green Bay Packers.

— Rob Tornoe

Contract details for Javon Hargrave, T.J. Edwards, and Marcus Epps

// Timestamp 03/14/23 12:27pm

The Eagles lost three of seven defensive starters who are pending free agents when they agreed to contracts on Monday. Here are the details on deals for defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, linebacker T.J. Edwards, and safety Marcus Epps, according to an NFL source.

Hargrave’s four-year, $84 million contract with the 49ers includes $40 million in total guarantees. The 30-year-old’s $23 million signing bonus and his base salaries for 2023 ($1.165 million) and 2024 ($8.885 million) are fully guaranteed, as is a $6 million option bonus and $1 million in per-game roster bonuses.

Hargrave’s base salaries for 2025 ($19.9 million) and 2026 ($21.65 million) are not guaranteed. There are two voidable years (2027-28).

Edwards, 26, inked a three-year, $19.5 million deal with the Bears. The total guarantee is $12.025 million, although only $7.9 million is fully guaranteed. Edwards’ $4.5 million signing bonus, a $1.9 million base salary, and a $1.5 million roster bonus are guaranteed in 2023.

The rest of the $12.025 number ($4.125 million) comes from his $5.9 million base salary in 2024, but is guaranteed for injury only.

Epps’ two-year contract with the Raiders is worth $12 million with $10.34 million guaranteed. He gets $7.755 million — a $2.585 million signing bonus, $2.585 million base salary and $2.585 million in assorted per-game and workout bonuses — guaranteed at signing.

The 27-year-old’s $2.585 million base salary for 2024 is guaranteed on the third day of the league year.

The contracts can’t be signed until Wednesday 4 p.m., at which point they will become official.

— Jeff McLane

Three lower-cost free agents who make sense for the Eagles

// Timestamp 03/14/23 11:30am

Sooner or later, the Eagles will get on the board.

The unloading of free agents will continue for the Eagles, who can’t afford to retain all of their sought-after players on the market. According to overthecap.com, the Eagles went into free agency with roughly $6.5 million in cap space. After signing Jason Kelce to a new deal worth roughly $14.25 million, that number should be slightly smaller.

Restructuring Lane Johnson’s contract, converting his base salary to signing bonus specifically, would clear about $10 million in space. The Eagles could also eventually clear room by restructuring Darius Slay’s deal. The veteran cornerback, who was given permission to seek a trade last week, has a cap hit of $26 million for next year, meaning the team has to figure out a solution to lower his cost on next year’s bottom line.

With that potential space, the Eagles can afford some lower-cost free agents. Here are three who would make sense:

Jacoby Brissett

Jacoby Brissett is a logical Eagles target for various reasons.

Brissett is the best backup quarterback option on the market, although he could end up a short-term starter for a team planning on drafting a quarterback of the future. If not, the Eagles’ prioritization of a strong backup quarterback, along with Nick Sirianni’s history coaching Brissett in Indianapolis could make the Eagles a logical destination.

Brissett was with the Colts for Sirianni’s entire tenure as Indy’s offensive coordinator and started for the team in 2019. During joint practices between the Eagles and Brissett’s Cleveland Browns last summer, Sirianni said the two have maintained a close relationship. On the field, Brissett started 11 games for Cleveland before turning things over to Deshaun Watson after his suspension. In those 11 games, he threw 12 touchdowns, six interceptions and completed 64% of his passes.

Bobby Wagner

Wagner isn’t the dominant player he once was, but he was still productive for the Los Angeles Rams last season and figures to have something left in the tank for next year.

The Rams released Wagner last month, which is important for the Eagles’ potential compensatory pick formula coming out of this offseason. Players released by their former teams don’t net comp picks, which would preserve the Eagles’ hope of getting four extra picks in next year’s draft while also adding a veteran presence to a defense losing several key pieces.

Depending on Wagner’s market — Pro Football Focus projects him to sign a one-year deal worth $6.5 million — he may have to sign at a discount for the Eagles. Still, it’s feasible he’d want to sign a deal with a contending team like the Eagles even if it wasn’t for top dollar.

Matt Ioannidis

The Eagles added a former Temple standout to their defensive front last offseason with great success, why not go back to the well?

Ioannidis is a prototypical 3-4 defensive end who can occupy multiple gaps against the run. It’s a role Sean Desai has utilized in the past and something the Eagles currently lack, making Ioannidis an interesting option.

With Javon Hargrave headed to San Francisco and Fletcher Cox on the open market, the Eagles suddenly have a significant need on the interior line as they build around second-year nose tackle Jordan Davis. Especially with how much the front office values the trenches, an interior rusher figures to be in the Eagles’ offseason plans either in the draft or free agency.

— EJ Smith

Top Eagles free agents still on the market

// Timestamp 03/14/23 10:06am

Eagles top free agents still on the market:

  • James Bradberry, cornerback
  • C.J. Gardner-Johnson, safety
  • Fletcher Cox, defensive tackle
  • Kyzir White, linebacker
  • Miles Sanders, running back
  • Zach Pascal, wide receiver
  • Isaac Seumalo, guard

Other remaining Eagles free agents include quarterback Gardner Minshew, running back Boston Scott, defensive tackles Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh, defensive end Robert Quinn, and punter Brett Kern.

— Josh Tolentino

Jason Kelce remains highest-paid center in NFL

// Timestamp 03/14/23 9:46am

Jason Kelce’s one-year contract with the Eagles will have a base salary of $14.25 million with a maximum value of $14.75 million, an NFL source said on Tuesday.

The all pro, who announced his return on Monday, will remain the highest-paid center in the NFL and received a slight increase from his $14 million salary last season.

It’s unclear how much of the money owed to the 35-year-old Kelce will go against the salary cap for 2023. The Eagles have increasingly structured contracts with dummy years to spread costs over multiple years.

But re-signing the future Hall of Famer after he decided to hold off retirement for another season was a no-brainer for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.

— Jeff McLane

ESPN: Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke to sign with Falcons

// Timestamp 03/14/23 8:12am

ESPN: Cowboys special team standout to sign with Titans

// Timestamp 03/14/23 7:40am

Young Eagles players on deck following free agency losses

// Timestamp 03/14/23 7:00am

The Eagles lost three defensive starters in defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, linebacker T.J. Edwards, and safety Marcus Epps on Monday when the NFL’s legal tampering period opened.

While the Eagles have a couple of in-house options to replace some of their losses, they still need to address depth and talent at all three levels of the defense.

Defensive lineman Milton Williams, who is entering his third year, flashed toward the end of last season, and Jordan Davis appeared in a limited role as a rookie. Meanwhile, Nakobe Dean appears to be penciled in for one of the starting linebacker spots after the former Georgia standout sat behind Edwards and White.

At safety, former undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship proved to be a serviceable piece; he appeared as a midseason substitute for Gardner-Johnson, who missed five games with a lacerated kidney injury. The Eagles enjoyed Blankenship’s physicality and emergence, but it remains to be seen whether he can take on a full-time role under defensive coordinator Sean Desai’s new playbook. Blankenship had 34 tackles with two passes defensed and one interception across 10 games (four starts).

The Eagles also have Andre Chachere and K’Von Wallace on the depth chart, although neither player has regularly appeared in a starter role.

Eagles lose key defensive starters in free agency, but have young players expected to step forward

— Josh Tolentino

Cam Jurgens expected to move to guard with Jason Kelce’s return

// Timestamp 03/14/23 7:00am

Two days after the Super Bowl, with signs already pointing to Jason Kelce’s return, Cam Jurgens was asked how he would mentally handle another season of not starting at center.

“I’ll be fine no matter what happens,” Jurgens said last month during locker clean out day at NovaCare Complex. “If I got to learn under [Kelce] for another year, or play alongside him for another year, I’m going to be OK either way.”

Kelce made it official on Monday: He announced that he will be back for a 13th season. But his blocking of Jurgens at center doesn’t have to be an either/or scenario. The second-year offensive lineman can both mentor under Kelce and play next to him as Isaac Seumalo’s replacement at right guard.

Seumalo, slated to become a free agent on Wednesday, had yet to agree to terms with another team, but Kelce’s return along with the guard’s expected market value all but guarantee his departure.

He drifted under the radar for various reasons, but Seumalo had maybe his best season in 2022 and simply moving Jurgens into his spot doesn’t mean he’ll be as productive. The vacancy does, however, allow the Eagles to finally take the training wheels off their second-round draft pick.

Cam Jurgens is on guard with Jason Kelce returning as the Eagles’ center

— Jeff McLane

Hayes: Howie Roseman is the NFL’s best GM

// Timestamp 03/14/23 7:00am

In Howie We Trust.

Hell, he already got Jason Kelce and Brandon Graham back. Clearly, there’s a plan.

Maybe Roseman thinks defensive tackle Jordan Davis and end Josh Sweat can make the defensive line dominant. Maybe he thinks Nakobe Dean will be a star at middle linebacker. Maybe he thinks the defensive backfield, which anchored the No. 1 pass defense, wasn’t all that great, so losing Darius Slay and James Bradberry wouldn’t be the setback it seems to be. Maybe he’s got his eye on a corner in the draft and a safety in free agency and a defensive lineman via trade that isn’t on our radar.

Relax. It’s in Howie’s hands.

In Howie We Trust: Eagles enter free agency led by Roseman, the NFL’s best GM

— Marcus Hayes

©2023 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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