Eagles acquisition of Isaiah Rodgers gives Philly options, possible kick returner for 2024 NFL season

At this point, we probably should have known that something like this may happen. Recent history has taught us that there's a tendency for Philadelphia Eagles vice president/general manager Howie Roseman to add a defensive back late in the roster-building process.

Once upon a time, he traded for Ronald Darby. In 2021, he added Steven Nelson in July of the calendar year. Last offseason James Bradberry was acquired on May 18th before C.J. Gardner-Johnson was brought to Philly's nest on August 30th. Don't look now, but Howie is up to his old shenanigans again, albeit, this time, adding a defensive back that won't yield immediate benefits.

Isaiah Rodgers is the beneficiary of Howie's ingenuity. He's a five-foot-ten, 170-pound cornerback who potentially gives Philly its backup slot corner and the kickoff returner that they have been seeking. There's just one issue. He won't play immediately. In fact, he won't play again until 2024.

Here's some background on the Eagles' new acquisition, defensive back Isaiah Rodgers.

A former sixth-round selection (2020), Isaiah Rodgers hails from Tampa, Florida and was officially added to the Eagles nest on the eve of the deadline for trimming the preseason roster down to the allowable 53 men. The Birds also waived Noah Elliss with an injury settlement, but Rodgers won't be on the field for game one of the regular season as he was placed on Philadelphia's Reserve/Suspended list.

The NFL suspended him for violating the league's gambling policy which led to his subsequent release from the Indianapolis Colts' roster. He isn't able to play again until the 2024 season.

During 45 games in Indy, he started ten times. The stat line reads as follows: 90 tackles, three interceptions, ten pass breakups, and a forced fumble on 1006 defensive snaps. He potentially gives the Eagles a backup slot cornerback option when he's eligible to play again. He's also a tremendous kick returner, one that has a career average of 27 yards per return after collecting 1,645 yards on 61 career attempts.