Richard Rodgers is back with the Eagles. Again. The team announced on Friday afternoon that they had agreed to terms with Rodgers and wide receiver Michael Walker. Rodgers has been on and off the Eagles roster multiple times over the last few years, while the Michael Walker move was reported by NFL insiders a few days ago.
From the team’s official website:
Richard Rodgers
Richard Rodgers returns for a fourth season in Philadelphia after registering 24 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games (four starts) last season. Those were all his highest numbers since originally joining the Eagles in the 2018 campaign.
Michael Walker
Michael Walker originally entered the NFL as a rookie free agent with Jacksonville in 2019 out of Boston College. He opened the season on the practice squad, but was promoted to the active roster in November of that season. He was utilized as a return specialist in seven games and also contributed a pair of receptions on offense. Walker was placed on Injured Reserve at the end of 2020 Training Camp and later waived with an injury settlement.
What these moves mean
Michael Walker faces an uphill battle to make the team, and he’ll probably need to combine a strong training camp and preseason with an injury or two to have a realistic shot. The more interesting move, at least for now, is Richard Rodgers. Rodgers is a perfectly cromulent tight end and a nice veteran backup to have at the position. You don’t want him starting, but he’s a fan favorite in Philadelphia because he has made a number of big plays in the passing game when called upon over the last couple of seasons.
That Rodgers was still available in the first week of June is a good indicator of how the rest of the NFL values him. But everyone’s question about this move is: why now? Does it mean a Zach Ertz trade is coming soon? There haven’t been any reports that a move is close on that front, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Howie Roseman has been talking to other teams about Ertz for several months, and, barring some kind of injury, he knows what the offers are. This may be a move just to add another veteran to the depth chart.
Other than Ertz, Goedert, and now Rodgers, this is the current situation at tight end for the Eagles:
- Jack Stoll (2021 undrafted free agent)
- Jason Croom (spent time on Eagles practice squad and active roster in 2020)
- Hakeem Butler (former 4th round WR who was cut by Cardinals and claimed by Eagles in 2020)
- Caleb Wilson (cut by Washington and claimed by Eagles in 2020)
- Tyree Jackson (former QB the Eagles are attempting to convert to TE)
There isn’t a ton of experience there, and two of the players are new to the position. A veteran like Rodgers gives the Eagles a playable option while they continue to develop one or more of the above players either on the active roster or the practice squad.
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Mike Maher is the editor and publisher of The Birds Blitz. Follow him on Twitter @mikeMaher and @TheBirdsBlitz and check out his archive for all of his latest stories about the Eagles and the NFL.
Image Credit: Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
