The Philadelphia Eagles wrapped up OTAs and their first-ever mandatory minicamp under head coach Nick Sirianni earlier this month where there were many surprise standouts, but ESPN chose to name just one. 

ESPN's Eagles insider Tim McManus didn't call out a rookie or a second-year player, but rather a player who has not played football in over a year: cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. 

Rodgers spent last season away from football due to a year-long gambling suspension, but according to McManus and Eagles' wide receiver A.J. Brown, you wouldn't have known that while watching him practice:

"Rodgers was suspended for the entire 2023 season for violating the league's gambling policy but has not shown much rust this offseason. He got work at outside corner with the first team, splitting time with second-year CB Kelee Ringo, who has also impressed. Rodgers opened some eyes during an OTA practice in late May when he broke on a short pass from Jalen Hurts and swooped in for the interception. "For a guy that has not played football for a year, coming back, he looks like he has been playing nonstop," receiver A.J. Brown said. "He's flying around, and he's going to do special stuff for us this year." It will be a fascinating competition for the starting spot opposite Darius Slay Jr. this summer, with Rodgers, Ringo and rookie first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell all vying for the spot." — Tim McManus

While Rodgers has already put himself in a great position to make the team, he's going to need to stay consistent throughout the remainder of the offseason.

That's because the Eagles currently have 15 cornerbacks competing for a roster spot ahead of training camp, which kicks off on July 23.

Rodgers Explains What Kept Him Going During Year-Long Suspension 

Rodgers, 26, was originally a sixth-round pick out of UMass by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2020 NFL draft.

He played three seasons with the team before he was suspended for the 2023 season for violating the NFL's sports gambling policy.

A year away from the game is a long time, but Rodgers didn't waste it and instead, wisely chose to better himself on and off the field.

"I worked on my speed this offseason," Rodgers said during minicamp. "I worked on my hands. So I think that making plays on the ball is the one thing that definitely played a factor throughout this offseason. Just building up on my speed."

Rodgers explained how he kept his same NFL routine as if he was still prepping for gameday.

"I just kept my schedule as if I was still playing," Rodgers said. "Sundays I used like a game day, did cardio and things like that. I took Tuesdays off. I still stayed with the NFL schedule and just continued to work. I continued to prepare for these moments."

Rodgers also revealed that in order to keep himself going, he would imagine himself up against Eagles star wide receiver duo DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. 

"I think it's a mindset,” Rodgers said. “You know, I envisioned, every time I worked out, I envisioned the A.J. Browns and the DeVonta Smiths in front of me, so I think I just kind of locked in during my training and just knowing that when I actually do get back there’s going to be great receivers in front of me.”

Rodgers doesn't have to imagine Brown or Smith being in front of him anymore.

The Eagles had him working against the first-team offense through OTAs and minicamp.

Before his suspension, Rodgers was a key contributor on Indianapolis' special teams and widely considered a promising up-and-coming cornerback in the league.

In three seasons with the Colts, Rodgers saw action in 45 games and made 10 starts where he logged 88 tackles, 10 passes defended, and three interceptions.

Rodgers has yet to play a snap for the Birds, but he seems to be on the right track to changing that. 

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