Safety Marcus Epps became the fourth free agent to leave the Eagles on Monday, reportedly agreeing to a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
NFL Network reported Epps’ deal is worth $12 million, with $8 million guaranteed. The reported agreement was late free-agent news on a day that rocked the Eagles’ defense. Earlier in the day, linebacker T.J. Edwards (Bears) and tackle Javon Hargrave (49ers) reportedly agreed to terms elsewhere.
Epps, 27, joined the Eagles in 2019, when they claimed him off waivers from the Vikings. Epps started all 17 regular season games this season. He played 1,096 defensive snaps, 99.1 percent, the most on the Eagles’ defense.
He had 94 tackles and one forced fumble. He had 20 tackles in the playoffs.
Losing Epps puts the Eagles in a bind at safety, a position where they are not strong to begin with.
Free agent C.J. Gardner-Johnson is expected to get a large offer elsewhere, something the Eagles might not be able to match. The other safeties on the roster are surprising rookie Reed Blankenship, K’Von Wallace and Andre Chachere.
Three other Eagles reportedly will leave the team when free agency begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
- Andre Dillard: Offensive tackle, three-year deal, $29 million, to Titans
- Edwards: Linebacker, three-year deal, $19.5 million, to Bears
- Hargrave: Defensive tackle, four-year deal, $84 million, to 49ers
In enormous good news for the Eagles on Tuesday, All-Pro center Jason Kelce announced he will return for his 13th season. Last Friday, defensive end Brandon Graham re-signed for a 14th season in Philadelphia.
