Eagles add a couple of veteran linebackers ahead of preseason
The Philadelphia Eagles keep doing things Howie Roseman's way. Even in August, just mere days away from the team's first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens next Saturday, they're looking to add talent. On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles are signing two veteran linebackers to one-year deals: Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham. […]
The Philadelphia Eagles keep doing things Howie Roseman's way. Even in August, just mere days away from the team's first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens next Saturday, they're looking to add talent.
On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles are signing two veteran linebackers to one-year deals: Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham.
A first and second-rounder respectively, this is a savvy inexpensive bet that will boost the team's depth where they need it the most.
It's also a similar tactic to the one they employed last year when they added defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph on the same day last year. Joseph would go on to start eight games for the Eagles while Suh had a snap count higher than 30% in the last seven games of the season.
While many teams are done building their teams this late in the year, the Eagles know veteran additions for depth can make the difference late in the year. Going back to that mindset after it working for them last year is simply smart.
After losing T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White in free agency, the Eagles' linebackers are young and inexperienced. Of course, the plan is for Nakobe Dean to return from his ankle injury and thrive as a starter and Nick Morrow could also be in for a big role.
But Jack and Cunningham provide healthy competition as guys who have been around for a handful of years now. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, both linebackers will get matching deals worth up to $2.5 million.
It's another couple of deals that won't cost the Eagles all that much while being great insurance for one of the positions with the most question marks on the roster.
Most recently, Jack played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he started 13 games last season. Jack has started 95 career games since 2016. Cunningham has 76 career starts himself, with six coming last year with the Tennessee Titans.
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