Eagles extend Avonte Maddox, satisfy huge need by doing so

Say what you want about the Philadelphia Eagles vice president/general manager, Howie Roseman. Occasionally, even though his blunders are well-publicized (and rightfully so), he does have a tendency to do some decent things. Look at his 2017 and 2018 draft classes if you need examples. Only one of the eight players he drafted in 2017 is still on the team (Derek Barnett), but he struck gold a year later during the draft process. That includes the selection of Avonte Maddox.

Three of the members of Philly’s five-man class in 2018 had already been signed to extensions by the Eagles organization (Jordan Mailata, Josh Sweat, and Dallas Goedert). The latter name on that list (Goedert) inked his deal on November 19th. One day later his homie got his money.

The Philadelphia Eagles wisely extend Avonte Maddox.

On the eve of the Eagles’ Week 11 game versus the New Orleans Saints, Philly announced, via their website, that they’re inking Maddox to a three-year extension that keeps him in the nest through 2024.

That satisfies a huge need as there’s no guarantee that Steven Nelson will be around in 2022 or that any of these young guys will work out as slot cornerbacks, a position that every NFL team needs an answer for as most offenses are spending a ton of time in three-wide-receiver sets these days.

Maddox and Goedert, who are best friends and currently roommates, can both get their own places now unless of course they just want to remain roommates. Maddox has evolved into one of the better slot corners in the NFL, and even though some of us were concerned about whether or not the Birds were treating Maddox’s extension like a priority, they’ve made it clear that he’s someone they want to build this team’s future around.

Sure, Howie Roseman pays too much money for old guys, makes bad draft choices, and turns off potential (and current) head coaches. It’s also been frustrating that some of his recent snafus have kept the Eagles from being competitive in bringing in some of the top free agents recently, but if you need evidence of how good Howie can be, look no further than his 2018 draft class.

And, here’s more good news. The Eagles have three first-round draft choices in 2022 as well as a sixth-round choice that may wind up being a fifth. That one comes by way of simply pawning Joe Flacco off on someone else. Begrudgingly, we’ll give Roseman a pat on the back for this one.