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Tim McManus, ESPN Workers Author
PHILADELPHIA — Secure to say, the Eagles’ protection wants lots of work.
The unit completed thirty first in passing yards allowed per recreation (252.7) and complete touchdowns allowed (35), thirtieth in opponent third-down conversion charge (46%) and twenty ninth in pink zone effectivity (65%). Philadelphia went from 27 takeaways in 2022 to 18 final season and dropped from a league-leading 70 sacks throughout their Tremendous Bowl marketing campaign to 43.
It is also doable two of the most effective gamers on that facet of the ball will not be again: defensive deal with Fletcher Cox is pondering retirement, whereas edge rusher Haason Reddick has been granted permission to hunt a commerce. Reddick is coming into the final 12 months of a three-year, $45 million deal and “would like to get an extension done” however the Eagles may look to release cap area through a commerce.
Teaching instability performed a component within the Eagles’ downfall final season, as a swap from Sean Desai to Matt Patricia as defensive playcaller late within the 12 months solely made issues worse. The Eagles employed Vic Fangio as their new defensive coordinator in late January with the expectation he’d be a steadying pressure for the unit.
He’ll needn’t only a expertise bump however gamers which are matches for his scheme. That makes the upcoming free company interval vital for Philadelphia because it seems to rebound from a 1-6 end and get again on observe.
“We’ve got lots of good younger gamers on this staff. I believe now we have the flexibility to exit and proceed so as to add to that,” basic supervisor Howie Roseman mentioned.
Listed here are 5 free agent matches on the defensive facet of the ball:
Age: 30
Chicago launched Jackson final week in a cost-cutting transfer. A fourth-round choose in 2017, he performed seven seasons with the Bears, posting 15 interceptions and 44 passes defensed. Fangio was the defensive coordinator when Chicago drafted Jackson. He coached him for 2 seasons and helped him to his first of two Professional Bowl appearances in 2018.
The Eagles had little consistency at security final season and will use a stabilizing presence reverse Reed Blankenship. Given his age and up to date damage historical past — a foot damage shortened every of the security’s previous three seasons — signing Jackson possible will not break the financial institution.
Age: 28
Van Ginkel performed below Fangio in Miami final season. He made 11 begins and posted 69 tackles, six sacks and 19 quarterback hits. Outdoors linebackers will likely be requested to drop in protection some in Fangio’s scheme, and Van Ginkel proved succesful in that position with eight passes defensed and an interception return for a landing.
Total, Van Ginkel had the most efficient season of his profession with Fangio as his DC. Why not reunite in Philly?
Age: 29
Preserving with the Fangio theme, Jewell performed below him for 3 seasons (2019-2021) when Fangio was head coach in Denver. Thought of a well-rounded participant, Jewell had 453 tackles, 9 sacks and 7 fumble recoveries over six seasons in Denver. He has worn the inexperienced dot in current seasons, answerable for relaying communication from the coaches and getting the unit lined up.
The Eagles have been a multitude at linebacker final season. They paid the worth for under-investing on the place, particularly with rookie Nakobe Dean sidelined for a lot of the 12 months with foot accidents. Including a veteran that would assist hold the again seven in right place may go a great distance.
Age: 24
The previous No. 2 general choose was dealt from the Washington Commanders to the Niners on the commerce deadline final season. He had 7.5 sacks on the 12 months and added a sack and two QB hits throughout San Francisco’s Tremendous Bowl run. Considerably, he performed in 19 video games, together with playoffs, after accidents restricted him to only 12 complete over the earlier two seasons.
Whereas it could be powerful to interchange Reddick’s manufacturing if he strikes on — he is had 27 regular-season sacks throughout his two years in Philadelphia — the Eagles up to now have been hesitant to present Reddick his desired elevate. Younger nonetheless has loads of upside and will possible be had at a manageable quantity.
Age: 24
Curl would not have a ton of on-ball manufacturing — he has three interceptions and 14 passes defensed over 4 seasons — however has proven to be a constant, versatile presence for Washington. He began 16 video games for the Commanders in 2023 and posted 115 tackles (3 for loss) with three QB hits, a sack and 5 passes defensed.
Per ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen, Curl fits best in a split-safety scheme, which inserts how Fangio usually deploys his safeties.
