There is a cornerback problem with the Philadelphia Eagles. Nobody who is paying attention ought to be debating that. The position was a worry going into the summer, and it’s still an issue following the first couple weeks of free agency.
One of the most obvious needs on the Eagles roster, if you quickly scan the NFL media, is cornerback. However, since this is one of the deeper teams in the league, this need isn’t the same as, say, a “glaring need” for the Carolina Panthers. Nevertheless, there are ‘Help Wanted’ signs appearing all over the place, sirens blasting, bells ringing, and corner positions.
The worries that a lot of people have are justified. The best of the group, though solidly into his mid-thirties (34), is Darius Slay. A comeback effort is required by James Bradberry, who is also older than thirty, in order to defend his large cap hit. Avonte Maddox was never able to stay well. One of the reasons he was released was that he was too costly.
Second-year corner Kelee Ringo is on the roster and might provide some assistance. As young rotational corners who can contend for greater playing time, Eli Ricks and Josh Jobe also have some experience.
However, the Eagles still want assistance for the present and the future, even if Slay manages to put off any age issues for one more season and Bradberry fulfills his contract in 2024.
A wise addition from last summer may help close the short-term gap, even while it doesn’t address the long-term problems (which can be resolved through the draft). If Isaiah Rodgers signs with the Eagles and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell takes him off the suspension list, Howie Roseman’s attempt to add a body to the secondary and special teams may be a pleasant surprise.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Rodgers in the sixth round. Played collegiate ball at UMass, made great progress up the Indy depth chart in his first few seasons, and after taking Brandon Facyson’s job in ’22, became a third-year starter. But instead of having a breakout year in his contract season as a full-time starter, Rodgers’s entire season collapsed—a lot of which was his own fault.
After suffering a knee injury in a Week 16 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers towards the end of the 2022 season, Rodgers was placed on injured reserve. After that, he foolishly decided to use a fictitious identity to wager on NFL games, including some of the Colts’ games.
His suspension for the whole 2023 campaign resulted from that. The Eagles made the decision to sign and stash the gifted cornerback/return man in August of last year after the Colts let him go.
With a keen sense of ball placement, Rodgers recorded three interceptions in his NFL second campaign, after his 11 INTs in college, three of which he returned for a touchdown. He also recovered four fumbles last year, and he usually stays close to the ball due to his instincts.
In addition to his defensive contributions, Rodgers gives the Eagles a return prospect with a strong portfolio of 61 NFL kick returns, including a 101-yard score in his first season.
Although the Eagles’ secondary problems cannot be resolved by a single player, the fact that a young player like Aaron Rodgers is back from suspension should provide them with an additional starting option. Thanks to a wise low-risk gamble from last summer, the Eagles will probably have someone who can step in for the interim if Ringo isn’t ready to make the jump or anything goes wrong with a veteran.
