Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is known for finding talent anywhere and can find a suitable replacement for any player when needed.
Well, his late-night signing is one that Eagles fans hope he gets correct, as the Eagles signed former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Arnold Ebiketie to a one-year, $7.3 million contract with $4.3 million of it guaranteed, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. Atlanta drafted Ebiketie in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft and has played there over the last four years.
During his four-year career, Ebiketie has racked up 129 tackles, 41 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, six pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 67 games. Last season, he had just two sacks after going back-to-back seasons with six sacks each year.
Eagles are taking a risk signing Arnold Ebiketie
Ebiketie has been reportedly on the Eagles' radar this offseason as a potential replacement for Jaelan Phillips if he leaves the team. Phillips would end up signing a four-year, $120 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, falling completely outside the range Philly initially wanted to pay for him.
Roseman's strategy appears to be the same as last offseason: putting players on one-year deals and hoping they work out. Signing Ebiketie seems like a great signing on paper, as he has been good at putting pressure on the quarterback, but it is a risky move to make as the replacement for Phillips.
Last year, Pro Football Focus graded Ebiketie with a 74.9 overall, ranking him 28th out of 115 edge rushers in the NFL. He had 25 pressures and 19 hurries, but he only had three starts in 17 games.
Ebiketie has not had to be an every-down edge rusher with 12 career starts, but is explosive and a perfect fit for what defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is looking for in his edge rushers. The potential is there to use his 6-foot-2, 250-pound size to make some plays and work well with Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt.
Read more: Eagles turn to former NFC East CB to compete for a starting job in 2026
It should be clear that even though the Eagles signed Ebiketie with the intention of him replacing Phillips at the moment, that does not mean Philly is going to be done at edge rusher. Roseman will continue to go out in free agency, the trade market, or the draft to get another one to add more depth to an important position.