The Eagles’ offseason has been busy. As Philadelphia attempts to rebuild their team, they are also working against salary cap issues which ultimately prevents them from signing certain players.
Now, one month into the new league year (which began on March 17), a number of free agents across the NFL still remain unemployed. For Philadelphia, seven former players are team-less.
Below is a list of those hoping to be picked up by 2021’s kickoff.
OFFENSE
Corey Clement
Corey Clement, a South Jersey native, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Despite playing in only four games in 2019 due to a shoulder injury, Clement was signed to a one-year deal in 2020.
Over his last four seasons with the Eagles, he has completed 655 rushing yards, 340 receiving yards, and nine total touchdowns.
Marquise Goodwin
A former Olympian, turned wide receiver, Marquise Goodwin started his career with the Buffalo Bills. He later played for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. In 2020, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a sixth-round draft pick trade.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Goodwin opt out of the 2020 season to focus on his family. On March 16, he was reverted back to San Fran based on stipulations from their previous trade with the Eagles. The trade also allowed Philadelphia to acquire a seventh-round draft pick for the upcoming NFL Draft [beginning on Thursday, April 29].
The 49ers released Goodwin the following day.
He totals 2,323 career receiving yards, 140 receptions, and 13 touchdowns.
Josh Perkins
Ending his collegiate career at Washington, Perkins went undrafted in 2016. He later signed with the Atlanta Falcons and was signed to a reserve/future contract by the Eagles in 2018.
Perkins was able to play for half of the season before being placed on the injured reserve list. The following year, he caught his first touchdown for the Eagles — a 24-yard pass from former quarterback Carson Wentz.
In 2020, he was placed on the injured reserve list again.
Jason Peters
Jason Peters signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2004 as an undrafted free agent, making his mark on the team before he was traded to the Eagles in 2009.
Peters, also known as “The Bodyguard,” was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2010 and 2011. In the years to follow, he would succumb to injuries — a ruptured Achilles tendon (2012), re-ruptured Achilles tendon (2012), and right ACL and MCL tears (2017).
Although unable to play in Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots, he earned his first ring with the team. In 2020, he was set to start as right guard after playing left tackle for Philadelphia but was moved back to his original position after injuries pummeled his teammates. Peters himself then suffered a foot injury.
Last season, Peters didn’t play as well as most fans would have hoped, contributing to a lack of protection for Carson Wentz, who recorded a career high 50 sacks. The now 39-year-old hopes to play for “one more” season.
Richard Rodgers
Tight end Richard Rodgers signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after playing for the Green Bay Packers for four years. In his first years with The Birds, he played one game due to injuries, recording seven yards.
2019 brought on another injury and Rodgers signed with the Washington Football Team in 2020 before being signed back to Philadelphia four months later. Rodgers became the starting tight end after both Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert were out with injuries.
Last season, he played 14 games (the most games while with the Eagles), recording 345 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Rodgers also ranked second among tight ends with 2.65 yards per pass route.
DEFENSE
Cre’Von LeBlanc
Cornerback, Cre’Von LeBlanc joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018 after playing for the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and the Detroit Lions.
Fans didn’t see much of him in 2020 as he was a member on the long Eagles’ injured reserve list.
LeBlanc totals 118 career tackles, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one defensive touchdown.
Nickell Robey-Coleman
Also, a cornerback, Nickell Robey-Coleman began his career playing four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. In 2017, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams becoming known for two helmet-to-helmet collisions during the NFC Championship and Super Bowl LIII.
The Rams declined the option to extend his contract, beginning his career in Philadelphia in 2020. He finished the season with 44 total tackles.
TO RE-SIGN OR MOVE ON?
In the next several months, the Eagles will now be faced with whether to bring some of these players back or move on as they seek employment elsewhere.
Out of the seven, it’s possible two, maybe three players will wear midnight green for another season.
