Following the Chiefs’ 25-22 victory over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII from Las Vegas, the 2024 NFL offseason has officially begun.
The league will pause the next month to gather its thoughts, but this slowness won’t endure long because all 32 clubs will travel to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February, and potential free agents will have to contend with the franchise tag.
Taking into consideration the Bears’ current playing time, 10 Philadelphia Eagles are projected to play a bigger part in 2024.August 12, 2023, Baltimore, Maryland, USA: In the second half of play at M&T Bank Stadium, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Mekhi Garner (43), a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens (10), steals the ball. All rights reserved by Tommy Gilligan of USA TODAY Sports
Garner, an undrafted free agent out of LSU, is a valuable hybrid defender for the Eagles secondary that can play numerous positions due to his size and versatility.Dec. 25, 2023, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: In the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) mishandles the ball while being tackled by New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27). Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Eric Hartline
Gainwell’s outlook going into his third NFL season will be comparable.
In 16 regular-season games, Gainwell ran 84 times for 364 yards and two touchdowns, adding 30 receptions for 183 yards.
Gainwell exceeded his career-high 68 carries for 291 yards as a rookie in 2021 in both carries and yards. After his first two games, he likewise witnessed a dramatic decrease in his workload; for the remainder of the season, he averaged four carries per game after running 14 times in his first two games.Gainwell will head into the summer once more looking for a bigger role, since Philadelphia has three running backs who are unrestricted free agentsAfter 17 regular-season games, Ringo ended his first campaign with 21 tackles, 1.0 sacks, and one interception.
Before Week 14, the fourth-round pick had only played one defensive snap and was mostly used on special teams during the season.
For the final six games, Ringo won a defensive role and started four of them. In 2024, he’ll probably take James Bradberry’s job on defense..According to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Covey had surgery on his left knee this summer.
Nevertheless, the former Utah wide receiver averaged 14.4 yards per punt return, which was the second-highest in the league.
Covey had four catches for 42 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games with the Eagles in 2022, but that could change in 2024 with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.August 17, 2023, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA: At Lincoln Financial Field, guard Tyler Steen (56), of the Philadelphia Eagles, watches a game versus the Cleveland Browns. Unavoidable Credit: USA TODAY Sports’ Bill Streicher
In 2022, Cam Jurgens was selected in the second round as Jason Kelce’s replacement at center. When that position flip occurs, Tyler Steen, who was selected in the third round of the previous draft, will take Jurgens’ place at guard.
The former Alabama left tackle has his chance now that Sua Opeta is poised to enter free agency and Kelce is leaning toward retirement.PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 17: Philadelphia Eagles #3 Nolan Smith looks on before the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field against the Cleveland Browns on August 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Image courtesy of Mitchell Leff/Getty Images))
In his debut season, Smith played in 17 regular-season games and finished with 18 tackles and 1.0 sacks.
Only in Week 12 did the former Georgia standout linebacker, who played Haason Reddick and Brandon Graham, log more than eight defensive snaps in a game.
Smith played 21 snaps throughout the season, but with Haason Reddick and the Eagles at odds over a contract, Smith might get an immediate boost in playing time.Williams played 16 games during the Eagles’ regular season in his third NFL season, setting a career-high of 42 tackles but a career-low of 0.5 sacks.
Despite only starting two games in his first two years in the league, the 2021 third-pick started ten in 2023, an increase in snap share (46 percent) over his prior two years.
If Fletcher Cox is unable to return, Williams will go into the last year of his contract as the defensive lineman with the highest salary.Before VanSumeren was cut with final cuts in the preseason finale, the former Michigan State linebacker had an incredible training camp and recorded 17 tackles. Zach Cunningham started for the Eagles, with Christian Ellis serving as a depth player, and Nakobe Dean.
With 131 special teams snaps in the final six games of the season, VanSumeren made a mark after the Eagles eventually added him to the 53-man roster on Nov. 30.
On defense, Philadelphia will have a choice to make. VanSumeren might earn a starting spot if Howie Roseman fails to address the linebacker situation once more.The Philadelphia Eagles inked cornerback and return specialist Isaiah Rodgers to a contract as part of their ongoing effort to bolster their roster.
Rodgers was dismissed by the Colts after the NFL punished him for breaking the gambling policy of the organization.
At UMass in 2020, Rodgers, a 5-10, 176-pound cornerback, was selected in the sixth round by the NFL.
Rodgers made 45 appearances (10 starts), recording ten passes defensed, three interceptions, and 88 tackles.
Being a fantastic special teams player, Rodgers was named PFWA All-Rookie last season. He became only the sixth rookie in Colts history to return a kickoff for a score.
With a career average of 27.0 yards per kickoff return, Rodgers is sure to be a factor for the Eagles.Prior to signing as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans, McCollum played football for Sam Houston State, where he was a starter in the secondary.
He recorded six tackles in the regular-season finale against the New York Giants, recording his first meaningful defensive snaps of the season.
McCollum played 37 total special team snaps last season after being promoted three times from the practice squad.
Sydney Brown’s ACL tear is being treated, thus McCollum might see an increase in snaps.
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