3 Reasons Philadelphia Eagles can not sign Connor Barwin

Let’s get something straight. Quite a few Philadelphia Eagles and fans would love to see Connor Barwin back in the locker room; but at this point, it can’t happen.

You have to be very careful as an NFL fan sometimes. If you let it, nostalgia will get you every single time. It seems as though, every time we turn around, there’s a discussion about former Philadelphia Eagles possibly returning to the ‘City of Brotherly Love’. Recently, it’s been quiet around the Novacare Complex, but we were all privy to a few rumblings on Friday, courtesy of former ‘Bird’ Connor Barwin.

Apparently, he’d love to play for the Eagles again.

That was part of a statement he made to Mike Greger over at Heavy.com.

Here’s some of the commentary:

"I’m trying to come back and play for the Eagles. I’m training right now and I’ve talked to Howie (Roseman), and they’re going to see if they need any depth on the edge and so I’m going to wait until camp starts before I sign anywhere else, but obviously I’m not going to wait too long. The Eagles know that’s where I want to be."

Since Barwin left the team in March of 2017, one of the victims of that dreaded salary cap, he spent time with both the Los Angeles Rams and the hated New York Giants. Add his name to a list that includes the likes of Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and even DeSean Jackson, guys who were once Eagles, who left and the fans hoped would return.

Still, though the love in this organization for Barwin will never die, his re-addition may not be the best idea at this juncture. Let’s not waste a ton of time here. Here are three reasons why:

1. These things never work out.

Though there will always be nostalgia in all sports. Rarely do we see great players return to their roots and be effective. Much is expected of DeSean Jackson as he’s shown he has plenty left in the tank, but he’s the exception to the rule and not the rule itself.

Re-signing veteran players who are past their prime rarely works out. In the case of Barwin, he didn’t really light it up in L.A. or New York. Are we to believe he’ll, suddenly, turn it on in Philly?

2. He’s not getting any younger.

Barwin turns 33 years young in October. He’s still better than quite a few edge rushers in the game, but he’s clearly not the same guy who made the Pro Bowl in 2014 either.

3. There are simply less-expensive options with more tread on the tire.

The Eagles will walk into training camp with Paul Worrilow, Alex Singleton, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nathan Gerry, L.J. Fort, Zach Brown, T.J. Edwards, Joey Alfieri and Nigel Bradham as their linebackers. As it stands now, this will already be one of the most intense position battles of the Summer.

To be frank, again, this fan base and team will love Barwin forever; but at this point, there’s simply no room for him. He’s older. He’s expensive, and the Eagles are in a position where they have younger options who won’t command as high of a salary.

Don’t take this the wrong way. Of course every Eagles fan would love to see Barwin retire as an Eagle, but perhaps that will have to wait until his playing days are over.