Eagles news: Core four intact, another Bird flies south, C.J. ponders future
The band’s staying together for at least one more season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, six-time Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal that will pay him $10 million. Still, there are cap casualties whenever moves like these are made by a franchise that already had minimal spending money heading into the offseason. Miles Sanders is officially an Eagle no more.
NFL Network analysts Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported the 53rd-overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft is headed to Carolina to rejoin his old running backs coach Duce Staley with the Panthers. Miles had his best year as a professional this past season as he notched career highs in carries (259), rushing yards (1,269), and rushing TDs (11), but as strange as this may sound, a change of scenery may do him some good. Duce has always had a positive effect on him.
With that said, let’s talk about matters that are a little closer to home. There’s also that C.J. Gardner-Johnson angle that we can discuss. His future in Philly is still in limbo.
With Fletcher Cox’s signing, the Eagles’ core four remains intact, but what does that mean for C.J. Gardner-Johnson?
If you’re like many Eagles fans, you probably thought, after news broke that Darius Slay is expected to be released, that the next signing you’d hear about would be C.J. Gardner-Johnson. It wasn’t a foregone conclusion by any means, but you have to admit that it had to cross your mind once or twice.
It appears that it crossed C.J.’s mind as well.
Here’s a translation… “Where the heck is my extension”? There’s one thing to consider here. The Eagles still haven’t officially announced Darius Slay’s release yet.
Experience has often been life’s best teaching tool and experience has taught us, especially recently, that we can trust Howie Roseman. However, that same experience has also taught us that Howie can get attached and emotionally overpay for aging players.
Fletch, Brandon Graham, and Jason Kelce have all played for Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson, and Nick Sirianni. Lane Johnson was added to what would become the core four during Chip’s era. All will return in 2023.
Fletch isn’t what he once was, but Lane, B.G., and Jason are all still competing at elite levels. Most importantly, they all provide veteran leadership. We’re still curious about what’s going on with that Gardner-Johnson extension though.
