This probably won't be remembered six weeks from now. Heck, it probably won't be remembered six days or six hours from now, but every time we watch Britain Covey operate, we smile. Sure, he's never going to be a 1,000-yard receiver. Coaching him into being taller or stronger is an impossible ask. Debates will continue about whether he deserves a roster spot.
Why keep a spot open for a guy who's never going to make major contributions beyond special teams. That's the question we hear most often, but others have been asked.
Can he contribute as a wide receiver? What if Kellen Moore schemed up something to get him the ball in space? Truth be told, we'd all rather see A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley targeted in the passing game, but that doesn't mean Britain doesn't have value.
Britain Covey's value to the Eagles goes far beyond Xs and Os.
You've heard of locker room cancers, right? Here's the thing. If they exist, there must be guys on the other side of the spectrum who help influence a positive locker room culture. That may be Britain's best quality. No one has to question his effort, and we were reminded of that before games began counting against win-loss total.
One of the most memorable plays we saw from Britain came during the preseason. Yes... We mean that Britain Covey.
Week 1 in Baltimore versus the Ravens... Covey fields a punt at about the 11-yard line with just over four minutes remaining in the first half. He eludes three tacklers and bounces off two more en route to a 26-yard return that set Philly up at their 37-yard line.
Philly went backward on the ensuing drive, losing three yards before punting themselves, but that isn't the point. The point is it's these types of efforts that make us smile when thinking of Britain Covey.
We have come a long way from one of Covey's tough first days at work, one where security didn't recognize him and refused him access to the team parking lot. We've come a long way from that guy who was murdered on every punt return.
Britain has become one of the game's top punt returners. He led the NFL with 417 PR yards last season. These days, he's proving he can help out at wide receiver, both on the field and off.
Don't take our word for it. Just listen to DeVonta. The man formerly known as the 'Slim Reaper' spoke with the media about his teammate before the regular season. Normally a man of few words, he couldn't stop raving about how much he values Britain's friendship.
DeVonta Smith with some kind words for Eagles teammate Britain Covey... pic.twitter.com/SVYfNINIi9
— Inside The Iggles (@InsideIggles) August 29, 2024
Now, if you can get that type of response from DeVonta in a sit-down with the media, that's saying something. 6 is reserved as they come, and that's the point. Britain's value to this team goes far beyond a 14.4 yards per return average in 2023.
These are the things that cure the rumored 'locker room drama' that we heard about last season. The Birds, without question, are a team that's united. They aren't just fortunate to have Britain Covey on the roster. Frankly, they could use a few more guys with his heart and attitude.