#HowieSZN Continues

#HowieSZN Continues

With the NFL’s legal tampering period kicking off on Monday, the Eagles wasted no time getting to work. They swiftly found Timmy Jernigan’s replacement in former Jaguars and Broncos DT Malik Jackson. Jackson was a cap casualty for a team making space to sign former Eagles QB and Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles. The Eagles gave him $30 million over the next three seasons, which isn’t too bad for a high-level interior pass rusher. He isn’t the best run defender, but he and Fletcher Cox will make for a terrorizing pass rushing duo up the middle. Philadelphia loves to build in the trenches, and this move allows them to use their first-round pick elsewhere if they choose.

The biggest splash of the day for Howie was bringing back fan favorite deep threat DeSean Jackson. After his well-documented issues with Chip Kelly paved the way for his exit, he makes his return a half-decade later. Jackson is 32, but still possesses the high-end speed that made him a nightmare for opposing defenders. This past season he paced the NFL in yards per reception, averaging 18.9 yards per grab. The John Ross rumors can be laid to rest now that the Eagles acquired D-Jax and gave him a three-year extension. The Eagles flamed out on speedsters opposite of Alshon Jeffery two years in a row, and finally get the element they’ve sorely lacked since… DeSean Jackson. It only cost Philly a 6th rounder, and they received a seventh to go with Jackson as well. Carson Wentz and Jackson showed some love to each other on social media after the news broke which is great news for Eagles fans everywhere.

In an unexpected move, the Eagles declined OG/C Stefen Wisniewski contract option, making him a free agent. The Wiz lost his starting job to the steadily improving Isaac Seumalo but was still very valuable as a plug-and-play man on the offensive interior. Brandon Brooks also tore his Achilles just about two months ago, and Wisniewski was in line to be his replacement until he returned. The only other guard on the roster right now is second-year man Matt Pryor who has zero game experience. Hopefully, this means Brooks is progressing faster than we all expected, but look out for Philadelphia to add another OL.

Michael Bennett didn’t receive the pay raise he requested and ended up being shipped to the Patriots (along with a seventh-rounder) in exchange for a fifth rounder. Bennett was one of Philly’s best defensive linemen last year but proved to be too expensive to hold on to, especially after re-upping Brandon Graham. Derek Barnett will take his starting spot back when he returns from injury.

Jason Peters is coming back for at least one year on a contract worth up to $10 million. The left tackle position was a position without a clear outlook, but for at least one more year, the Bodyguard will be watching the blind side of Carson Wentz. Halapoulivaati Vaitai has shown flashes as a backup, but hasn’t convinced anyone he can be the long-term successor for JP. The Eagles can draft and develop a tackle now, or assess what they have in Big V and former rugby star Jordan Mailata. Mailata said himself that he was contrary to popular belief, he was very close to getting on to the field pre-injury.

In other news, it appears Nelson Agholor will suit up in midnight green this year without an adjusted contract.

-By: Micah Jimoh