Brandon Brooks: A Philadelphia Eagles modern day version of Iron Man

Brandon Brooks is doing a really nice ‘Iron Man’ act for the Philadelphia Eagles.

When Brandon Brooks went down with an Achilles tear during the Philadelphia Eagles final game of the 2018-19 campaign, there were a few questions about whether or not he would play again. He’s proving those doubters wrong less than a year later. Not only is he playing. He’s playing at a high level.

The Eagles offensive line has been consistently praised by Pro Football Focus for being one of the NFL‘s elite units over the past three seasons. One of the biggest reasons for that praise has been the play of right guard Brandon Brooks.

When Philadelphia brought Brooks into the fold going into the 2016 season on a five-year, $40-million deal, they signed one of the leagues’ elite talents to one of the most team-friendly deals in the NFL. Everyone, including  Eagles vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, had to have been surprised by the return ‘the Birds’ got on that investment.

Before coming to Philadelphia, Brooks was struggling for playing time under Bill O’Brien with the Houston Texans. A former third-round pick, Brooks was utilized as a reserve and was driven to a point where he even considered retirement. He walked into Philly with a chip on his shoulder, and it showed as he reached the Pro Bowl in his first year wearing Eagles green.

Brooks’ meteoric rise up the ranks of offensive lineman was threatened by an Achilles injury last season, but Brooks, always the consummate professional, didn’t want sympathy from anyone. He tweeted out at the time that the setback had only lit a stronger fire within him to compete. Less than nine months later he’s once again ranked among the best at his position.

Through roster turmoil in Houston, to a torn Achilles tendon, Brandon Brooks’ hunger for success has outweighed the obstacles placed in front of him. He found that success when he became a Super Bowl champion with the Eagles at the end of the 2017-18 season, and he still wants more. Brooks is currently the highest-rated guard in the entire league according to Pro Football Focus. this one comes courtesy of The Athletic‘s Brandon Thorn.

The consistent motivation Brooks put toward his recovery is the same energy he brings every Sunday for the Eagles. He rose from an unwanted reserve in a bad system to become a Super Bowl champion, and a two-time, Pro Bowler.  He is the modern Philadelphia ‘Iron man’. Sure, the ITI staff has given that title to Malcolm Jenkins a time or two, but Brooks is close. Who knows? Maybe that makes Brooks ‘war machine’, but either way, the Eagles are lucky to have him.