2 Important decisions that helped save the Philadelphia Eagles season

2. Solidifying T.J. Edwards as the Philadelphia Eagles starting MIKE linebacker.

During the offseason, the Eagles signed Eric Wilson who played in Mike Zimmer’s defense for four years. There was expected to be some familiarity with the Eagles defensive scheme with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, a former assistant coach under Zimmer.

Prior to the season, I talked about Wilson’s struggles in the run game that go beyond the numbers. Teams often ran the ball in his direction with pulling guards. I still thought his connection to Gannon would benefit him in this defense and that he would be able to make some plays in pass coverage.

Once it was evident that T.J. Edwards was ready for a full-time role, the Eagles did not hesitate and waived Wilson. Like Jordan Howard, Edwards’ first game in his new role came versus the Detroit Lions. One of the reasons that I believed Edwards could be a starter prior to the 2020 season was because of his ability to read keys from the offense. His 40-time doesn’t reflect his play speed. Speed also doesn’t matter if you can’t recognize play fakes.

His film study has been evident with his quick trigger to the ball each play. Rarely is there a moment where Edwards isn’t in the right spot.

His first step is always in the right direction. He has also missed just nine tackles this year which is pretty low considering that he has made 129 combined tackles – just four short of Reggie White’s franchise record 133 tackles in 1988. Alex Singleton actually just broke that record this weekend with eight combined tackles to put him at 137. That puts Edwards’ missed tackle percentage at just 6.5 percent.

Coming into this season, there were no doubts about his ability to fit his gap and be physical in the run game but he has also made several plays in pass coverage including some near interceptions. According to PFF, he is the 11th highest graded linebacker in pass coverage as well as the 7th-highest-graded run defender at the position.

He has been around the ball nearly every snap and has related well to routes in the middle of the field even when he has to carry the third receiver closest to the formation. For now, the Eagles have found their general in the middle of the field.