Eagles linebacker Nigel Bradham at press conference announcing his 5-year deal. Photo by Al Thompson

When the Eagles finally won their first Super Bowl, the vibe across Birds Nation could not have been better.

But time marches on. There is a new season to gear up for and that means the Eagles brass must deal with contracts, roster moves and the salary cap.

While the Carson Wentz-Nick Foles story is important, both player are under contract and are as salary cap friendly as it gets.

All the key players on the offensive line are under contract and All Pro tackle Lane Johnson restructured his contract to give Howie Roseman some room to work, as did Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz.

The defense lost tackle Beau Allen to free agency as well as post season hero DB Patrick Robinson. The Eagles offense lost tight end and “Philly Special” hero Trey Burton to free agency.

The Birds were forced to release defensive end Vinny Curry, a former second round pick and you could say was a salary cap casualty.

You can say the same for tight end Brent Celek, the longest tenured Eagles player who is 32 years old and simply was under contract for too much money.

The Birds let kicker Caleb Sturgis walk and long time punter Donnie Jones called it a career.
These are just a few of the roster story lines. Here is a rundown of the rest of the cast.

Reliable outside linebacker Nigel Bradham’s contract was up. The 28-year old was a big part of bringing a Super Bowl to Philadelphia, especially after fellow LB Jordan Hicks went down for the season with an injury.

With the Birds thin at the position and with the uncertain future of Hicks with injuries and Mychal Kendricks to being happy here, it was imperative the Eagles get Bradham signed to a long-term deal and they did….the day before free agency opened.

“It came down to the last day,” Bradham said after signing a five-year contract. “I was nervous about it, but I’m fortunate that I was able to stay here, come back here. I’ve built so much here with chemistry, what we have and what we share in the locker room between us and the coaches and the whole organization. We all enjoy each other, so it’s rare that guys can get that close and come back to their team. I’m very fortunate and thankful that I am able to do that.”

Bradham’s resume speaks for itself.

Bradham, who came to the Eagles from Buffalo, has produced 428 tackles, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and 25 passes defensed in 88 career regular-season games (69 starts). He was first signed by Philadelphia during the 2016 offseason and leads all Eagles linebackers in tackles (184), sacks (three), forced fumbles (three), passes defensed (13) and defensive snaps played (1,913) over the last two seasons.

In 2017, Bradham finished third on Philadelphia’s defense with 85 tackles and added one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown and eight passes defensed in 15 regular-season games (all starts). During the team’s Super Bowl LII-winning postseason run, Bradham recorded 12 tackles, one sack and one pass defensed in three contests.

Bradham was asked how much having defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz stay on board factored into his decision to stay.

“It factored into it obviously,” Bradham said during his NovaCare press conference. “It was a tough decision once you get down to it and you get close to that market (free agency). Things get a little tougher as far as decision-making…it was definitely a big impact for me having him here. He brought me here in the first place. I’ve got some time to stay with him now, it’s going to be amazing.”
Bradham was asked to elaborate about his relationship with Schwartz.

“It’s continued to grow each and every year from the time I met him,” Bradham said. “I want to say our relationship like father-son, but not so much, I kind fell like we’re best friends at the same time. It’s something that’s special and unique. You obviously don’t get that from each and every defensive coordinator I’ve been with. I’ve connected with him the most.”

Bradham said Roseman made a commitment to him at the end of the season that he would do everything to bring him back.

“I trusted him, he’s a man of his word,” Bradham said. “When he tells you something, he means it. He told me he wanted me back, that it was a top priority and he was going to do everything in his power to bring me back. He told me that face-to-face, I just kept my confidence in him and it worked out perfect.”

Bradham said his teammates weren’t shy about wanting him to stay.

“I think I heard from everybody throughout the whole process,” Bradham said. “Everybody was texting me saying ‘man you better sign back.’ I said ‘yeah I know, I wanna be back.’ Some guys said they wanted me back and didn’t care if I ‘signed for free.’”

Bradham said he never really thought he would be wearing anything but an Eagles uniform next year.

“I wanted to be back first and foremost,” he said. “I didn’t want to put that in my mind that I would be somewhere else. So I just stayed confident and kept my composure throughout the whole process.”

Bradham talked about the teammates who are gone through trade or free agency including Allen and Robinson.

Bradham was asked about the sobering side of the offseason and that the NFL is at its core, a business.

“It’s unfortunate we lost those guys,” Bradham said. “We lost some great players. We saw what those players can do on the field. You saw P-Rob get interceptions and taking them to the house at critical times. You saw Beau get sacks and strip sacks and stopping every screen play [opponents] would run. When you lose guys like that, it definitely takes its toll on your defense. But we’ll regroup.”

Then Bradham’s smile returned when he was asked about the acquisitions of Pro Bowl defensive linemen Michael Bennett and Haloti Ngata.

“We had like 10 superstars, now we’ve got even more,” Bradham said. “It’s great that I’ll be able to play behind these guys and make plays. That defense is going to be nice.”

Michael Bennett signs with Eagles then ends up in trouble with Houston police.
Photo by Jeffrey Beall

EAGLES ACQUIRE DE MICHAEL BENNETT FROM THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Eagles traded for Michael Bennett and a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a fifth-round selection in 2018 and WR Marcus Johnson.

Bennett originally entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks in 2009 and went on to become a three-time Pro Bowler and win a Super Bowl with Seattle in 2013.

During his nine-year career, Bennett has played in 125 regular-season games (90 starts) and has compiled 310 tackles, 54 sacks, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

After spending four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009-12), Bennett returned to the Seahawks in 2013 and helped Seattle win Super Bowl XLVIII. In his first season back with the Seahawks, Bennett led the team with 8.5 sacks, 14 TFL and 25 QB hits, while adding 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in the postseason.

In 2017, Bennett was voted to his third-consecutive Pro Bowl after ranking second on the Seahawks defense with 8.5 sacks and leading the team with 14 TFL and 24 QB hits.
At his NovaCare press conference, Bennett praised the Eagles defensive line.

“This is a great defensive line,” Bennett said. “You look at all the great players..Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Chris Long, Tim Jerningan, Derek Barnett…so many great players. It’s an opportunity to see those guys play and see what they do week in and week out. And to have a coach like they have and be able to focus in on our strengths…for me to come here…from being on the outside looking in. One day you’re watching the Super Bowl saying ‘man if I was right there I’d beat that guard right there’ ..then a month later it happens. Things always happen for a reason.”

Bennett was asked if he was comfortable with taking less plays. He said he was fine with that but added…“I came to be an all-star and continue to play at a Pro Bowl level.”

Bennett said it is better to have players fresh at the end of the season to get ready for a playoff run.

“It’s not about September, October or November,” Bennett said, “It’s about January and February. To have guys fresh to keep rushing the quarterback and be as savage as we can. You have to go out there and play savage every play. Having less snaps will give me the opportunity to do that.”

Bennett, at one point, issued a warning to the NFC East’s starting quarterbacks, including Alex Smith, a former NFC West rival.

“I know Eli Manning is probably watching this and thinking … yes, I’m coming. I know Dak [Prescott] is watching this like, ‘Yeah, he’s coming.’ Yeah, I am,” Bennett said getting a rise out of the assemble media corps. “And Alex Smith, he knows he can’t run from me. I told him in the Pro Bowl.”

Bennett said this year’s defensive line can be more than just special.

“I think it can be one of the greatest,” said Bennett, 32. “I think we can have one of the greatest defensive lines to ever play the game if we approach the game like every single way, just go out there and keep doing what they’re doing and just finding a way to just add and keep showing how many great players [we have]. And I think a great defensive line is about the rotation. It’s kind of like Golden State, you want to be able to have those guys that can come in and shoot and shoot and score every time.”

A 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee, Bennett pledged his endorsement money last season to help rebuild minority communities through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programs and initiatives that directly affect minority women. Additionally, Bennett and his wife, Pele, established The Bennett Foundation with their three daughters and adopted O.C.E.A.N.’s (fighting Obesity through Community, Education, Activity and Nutrition) programming to tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity. The Bennett Foundation educates under-served children and communities through free, accessible programming in Hawaii, Washington, and Texas.

All those great awards and accolades are in question when on Friday March 23, 2018 just a week after signing with the Eagles Bennett was indicted on a felony charge of causing injury to the elderly for an incident that took place at Super Bowl LI in February 2017.

At first, the Eagles issued a statement on Michael Bennett:

“We are aware of the situation involving Michael Bennett and are in the process of gathering more information. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”

Please see separate article for updates

EAGLES TRADE WR TORREY SMITH TO CAROLINA FOR PHILADELPHIA NATIVE DARYL WORLEY
The Eagles traded WR Torrey Smith to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for third-year CB Daryl Worley.

Originally a third-round draft pick (77th overall) of the Panthers in 2016, Worley appeared in 31 games and made 25 starts for Carolina during his first two NFL seasons, compiling 153 tackles (131 solo), two sacks, three interceptions and 17 passes defensed.

“I’m looking forward to coming in just play my role,” Worley said at his press conference. “No matter what it is.”

A native of Philadelphia, Worley attended William Penn Charter School and went on to play collegiately at West Virginia University from 2013-15. During his Mountaineers career, Worley became a two-time All-Big 12 selection and totaled 146 tackles, 10 interceptions and 21 passes defensed in his 34 career games.

In 2015, he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors after finishing seventh in the country with a team-high six interceptions and a conference-leading 12 passes defensed.
Worley said he was on vacation when the trade occurred.

“My reaction was different than everyone else’s – I was more in shock,” Worley said. “Everyone was calling me jumping for joy but I was so ecstatic, I didn’t talk for a while.”

A seven-year veteran, Smith signed with the Eagles as a free agent during the 2017 offseason and helped Philadelphia win a Super Bowl during his lone season with the club. In 2017, Smith appeared in 19 games (17 starts), including playoffs, and totaled 49 receptions for 587 yards and three touchdowns. His 13 postseason receptions ranked third on the team and he caught a 41-yard touchdown on a flea flicker from QB Nick Foles in the NFC Championship Game.

EAGLES SIGN LINEBACKER COREY NELSON
The Eagles and LB Corey Nelson Agree to Terms on One-Year Contract

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with LB Corey Nelson.
Nelson (6-1, 226) was a seventh-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos in 2014, and spent the last four seasons with the team.

During his time in Denver, Nelson was a key special teams contributor and appeared in 53 regular-season games (five starts) and four postseason contests, including the team’s victory in Super Bowl 50 vs. the Carolina Panthers in 2015. Over his four-year career with the Broncos,

Nelson recorded 88 defensive tackles (58 solo), six passes defensed and 18 special teams tackles. He also recorded four special teams tackles in the postseason, including three during Denver’s win in Super Bowl 50.

In addition to his contributions on the field, Nelson was named the Broncos’ inaugural Community Rookie of the Year in 2014 for his off-field contributions during his first NFL season.

Prior to being drafted by the Broncos, Nelson attended the University of Oklahoma, where he appeared in 45 games and recorded 154 tackles, (76 solo), and 7.5 sacks. Nelson also finished his collegiate career with one interception, 11 passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

Haloti Ngata – veteran DT signs with Birds.

EAGLES SIGN VETERAN DEFENSIVE TACKLE HALOTI NGATA
The Eagles signed DT Haloti Ngata to a one-year contract.

Ngata (pronounced ha-LOW-tee NAH-tah) is entering his 13th NFL season after spending time with the Baltimore Ravens (2006-14) and Detroit Lions (2015-17). A five-time Pro Bowler (2009-13) and five-time All-Pro selection (first team – 2010-11; second team – 2008-09, 2012), Ngata was originally selected by the Ravens in the first round (12th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft and was a key member of Baltimore’s Super Bowl XLVII-winning defense in 2012.

Ngata (6-4, 340) has produced 581 tackles (345 solo), 31.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, five interceptions and 38 passes defensed in 167 career regular-season games (165 starts). The 34-year-old veteran has also been a part of eight playoff teams (most recently with the 2016 Lions), recording 55 tackles (35 solo), 4.5 sacks, four passes defensed and one forced fumble in 17 career postseason games (all starts).

Ngata was voted as the Lions’ nominee for the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and was also named one of eight finalists for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. The Haloti Ngata Family Foundation, whose mission is to improve the lives of others through love and strength, raises awareness about the importance of education and provides free college entrance exam preparation courses to students through the Ofa Ngata College Preparation Fund, which honors Ngata’s mother’s memory.

A native of Salt Lake City, UT, Ngata played collegiately at the University of Oregon, where he compiled 151 tackles (83 solo), 10 sacks, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 36 career games (29 starts). As a junior, Ngata earned consensus first-team All-America honors and was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award (best college defensive player) and Outland Trophy (best collegiate interior lineman).

EAGLES SIGN VETERAN WR MIKE WALLACE
The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with WR Mike Wallace.

Originally selected by the Steelers in the third round (84th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft, Wallace has recorded 538 receptions for 8,072 yards (15.0 average) and 57 touchdowns in 142 regular-season games (122 starts) between Pittsburgh (2009-12), Miami (2013-14), Minnesota (2015) and Baltimore (2016-17).

Wallace (6-0, 200) is one of 10 active NFL players with 8,000 career receiving yards and 500 career receptions, joining Antonio Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Antonio Gates, A.J. Green, DeSean Jackson, Julio Jones, Brandon Marshall, Demaryius Thomas and Jason Witten. The 31-year-old wideout is the only active player to produce 500 receptions and 50 receiving touchdowns while averaging 15.0 yards per reception.

A native of New Orleans, Wallace was voted to the Pro Bowl following the 2011 season and has registered three 1,000-yard campaigns – 2010 (career-high 1,257), 2011 (1,193) and 2016 (1,017) – as well as 23 100-yard receiving games during his career. He also leads the NFL in 50-yard receptions since 2016 (eight) and ranks second in that category dating back to 2009 (26), trailing only DeSean Jackson (36).

In 2017, Wallace led the Ravens in receiving yards (748), receiving average (14.4) and receiving first downs (33) and tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (four).

Wallace started 28 games during his four-year career at Mississippi (2005-08) and posted 101 receptions for 1,910 yards. As a senior in 2008, Wallace earned All-SEC honors after leading the conference and ranking third in the NCAA with 20.1 yards reception while finishing sixth among SEC players with 60.3 receiving yards per game.

Player bios provided by Eagles Media Relations

Follow Al Thompson on Twitter @thompsoniii