Following Fletcher Cox’s retirement, the Philadelphia Eagles face a leadership and production gap in their front seven. To solve it, they may employ a crucial playbook concept from general manager Howie Roseman.
With Josh Sweat back in the fold, Bryce Huff joining the Eagles as a free agent, and Nolan Smith possibly developing in his second season after being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has an exciting group of edge rushers at his disposal.
But after Cox’s retirement, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks Philadelphia is a perfect fit for veteran edge rusher Calais Campbell, and the Eagles seem to be actively shopping veteran Haason Reddick.
According to Barnwell’s article for ESPN, “Campbell indicated he might want to see what happened with former Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.” “After the season, Nielsen made an impression on the Jaguars. However, Jacksonville had to pay a premium for former 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who at this stage of his career may be compared to a younger version of Campbell.
“Winning a title is the only accomplishment Campbell hasn’t made in his career. Joe Cullen, the Chiefs’ current defensive line coach, was his defensive line coach in Baltimore, but he doesn’t really fit in with what Kansas City wants to accomplish defensively or what it has to add now that Chris Jones has been re-signed. Conversely, the Eagles will utilize a 3-4 scheme quite a bit under Vic Fangio and will require Fletcher Cox’s retirement to add to their defensive line rotation. You are aware that Howie Roseman, the general manager, can sign a defensive lineman without an invitation.
Through his first 16 seasons, Campbell has amassed 616 total tackles and 105.5 career sacks. He has been selected for three All-Pro teams, including the First Team in 2017.
Ring chasing might be appealing to Campbell, and Roseman’s addition of an experienced edge player in Campbell would be consistent with some of the organization’s recent strategies.
Why Calais Campbell Meets the Profile of Howie Roseman
In recent seasons, Roseman hasn’t held back when it comes to adding seasoned free agents at a discount.
After the 2022 season, Ndamukong Suh was a key player in the Eagles’ journey to the Super Bowl. The Eagles also added Linval Joseph to their roster that year, moving him from the free-agent scrap heap to a starting position on the defensive line.
The organization’s assessment of Brandon Graham’s potential effectiveness in 2024, following the signing of the team’s longest-tenured player to an extension for the next season, may determine how many snaps Campbell might potentially take away from a young player like Smith.
What the Eagles’ Defense Would Gain From Calais Campbell
At the very least, Campbell would provide Fangio with a reliable and experienced senior presence who he could rely on to deliver productive snaps in clear-cut pass-rush situations while instituting a new system.
One of Atlanta’s more reliably excellent front-seven defenders, Campbell recorded 6.5 sacks and 56 total tackles during the previous season while playing for the Falcons.
Pro Football Focus notes that in addition to adding 42 total QB pressures, Campbell was also successful against the run, earning an 80.2 run-stopping grade from the publication.
With a modest amount of the team’s remaining $39 million in salary space, Roseman and the Eagles might seek Campbell, who is still playing at a high level, if the price is right.
