2 reasons to be excited about the Eagles decision to add Myles Jack and Zach Cuningham

Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham both join the Eagles as owners of very impressive statistical resumes.

Myles Jack, after spending six years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, spent his most recent NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite stacking 80 solo tackles and 31 assisted stops according to Pro Football Focus' database, he was given a 76.7 tackling grade. Jack also provides value as a tackler in the open field. He has amassed 55 total pressures and 227 'defensive stops' in his career.

After beginning his career with the Houston Texans, Zach Cunningham landed with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and played four games there before suiting up for six games last season. Injuries have been a concern. He stacked 24 total tackles with the Titans. 15 were solo tackles, yet he had an 87.4 PFF run defense grade. Cunningham has tallied 483 career solo tackles.

By adding these two players, the Eagles have upgraded the second level of their defense and are raising the floor of their linebacker production. Not only do Jack and Cunningham provide depth, but they provide sure-handedness as tacklers and skill in defending the run. The tackling ability may give the veterans a leg up on the inexperienced players and allow them to steal reps from Morrow.

When asked about the signings, head coach Nick Sirianni said last week that "We just wanted to bring in some extra competition to let things shake out."

"At the end of the day, the best guys will play... But we just wanted to add competition to the room, and that's one of our core values, is competition. So, when you bring in good players, as these two guys have been in this league, that's only going to raise the level of everybody else in the room and on the defense."

Regardless if Jack or Cunningham start or if they simply provide depth, the Eagles' linebacker corps is much better after their additions. Both players will help limit the Eagles' weaknesses at the second level of the defense and allow the more talented areas of the team to thrive.

If Jack and Cunningham play to even half of their career production when called upon or help push the other linebacker to play better, the Eagles' defense should be able to maintain its status as one of the best defenses in the NFL.

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