Spadaro: Five recurring themes in the Eagles’ free agent acquisition.

As we move into the second week of this 2024 offseason’s roster-building phase, it’s evident that the Eagles have adopted a direct approach to bringing to the football club what they desire. When you go past the names, the characteristics are what Philadelphia demands most of all, and they are obviously desirable.

Naturally, a lot of quality has been added to an already formidable squad, and the veterans the Eagles have signed have a ton of NFL experience, have started games, and have stellar credentials. Those are facts that cannot be disputed. But beyond that, there’s the shared characteristic of guys who can benefit the Eagles in many ways, so let’s take a brief look. Of course, Pro Bowl caliber running back Saquon Barkley is a menace to defenses in the passing game, possesses strength and durability in the pass-protection game, and runs with explosiveness. DeVante Parker, an outside wide receiver by trade, has also had some success playing inside, so he adds that skill to the Eagles’ lineup alongside DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown.want to set up advantageous situations for Jalen Hurts, the quarterback.

Bryce Huff is a strong defensive edge player who can win standing up or with his hand in the dirt. He plays the run fast and hard. He goes after the quarterback. Zack Baun will have the opportunity to affect special teams in addition to his potential to play several linebacker spots. An offensive lineman with versatility who can play all three positions is Matt Hennessy. We all know that C.J. Gardner-Johnson is one of the most versatile players in the defensive secondary.

Everyone is in favor of it. Upon observing the new Eagles from their prior NFL locations, it is evident that the players are passionate about the game and fully committed to it, as evidenced by their preparation and gameday excitement. It’s impressive stuff, and the Eagles undoubtedly gave this attribute great consideration as they researched the available free agents and pursued the guys they want. This is one of the most significant aspects of being an Eagle.

This is a requirement for becoming an Eagles member. The newest Eagles visited the NovaCare Complex recently and were delighted with what they heard, who they met, and how they felt. You’re either in or you’re out. Barkley expounded on “the culture” frequently. Huff and Baun dug in. Gardner-Johnson is no stranger to this place; he has experienced what it’s like to play in this intense football atmosphere and to sacrifice himself for the team. For players in free agency, money isn’t the only consideration because many of them leave money on the table. Undoubtedly, having a winning team and belonging to a company that upholds moral principles both on and off the field are more important than financial gain.

The players who came in and signed contracts were greatly influenced by hearing Saquon Barkley, a player who has done as much as he has in his six NFL seasons, sit at the platform and discuss proving himself as an Eagle. One of the recurring themes was that players like Huff and Baun will have opportunities to advance in their careers, and they are rising to the occasion. Due to a knee injury, Hennessy missed the entire previous season. Gardner-Johnson, who has a chip on his shoulder, is returning to Philadelphia following a stellar 2022 campaign and an injury-plagued 2023 season in Detroit. Pittsburgh selected quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round of the draft.

started and won games with the Steelers two springs ago, and is currently Hurts’ backup. Not one of these players is here to save the day, and none of them are perfect. That’s how free agency works. The “prove-it” mentality is possessed by all of them, which is advantageous for the Eagles.

With Vic Fangio leading the defense and Kellen Moore leading the offense, each player is beginning to understand the “new” system from the same starting point. The Eagles also investigated in-depth how these players handled coaching changes during their careers. Barkley, of course, had several in New York; Huff, an undrafted player who made the Jets; Baun, who has worked hard and dedicatedly to climb the ladder of playing time; Parker, who has been in multiple systems; Gardner-Johnson, who we saw in 2022 join the team and within ten days make an immediate impact by picking up the system quickly and playing excellent football; and Pickett, a game scholar who will gel well with Hurts and Tanner.The quarterback’s room with McKee.

While there is still a long way to go until the roster is finalized, these five themes run through everything the Eagles have done so far this offseason and will continue to be very important to a football team that is happy with where it is so far in free agency.