Eagles Sign Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers for 2024 Roster
PHILADELPHIA – Howie Roseman, General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, has wasted no time in preparing the team’s roster for the future. In a strategic move, the Eagles signed cornerback Isaiah Rodgers for the 2024 season, potentially setting the stage for a promising lineup in the years to come.
Rodgers, who was recently suspended for the entirety of the 2023 season due to a violation of the NFL’s gambling policy, was swiftly released by the Indianapolis Colts. The Eagles wasted no time in adding him to their roster, placing him on the Reserve Suspended list. As a result, Rodgers will not be eligible to join the team or receive payment for the upcoming year. However, this move also means that he will not count against the Eagles’ salary cap or their 53-man roster.
The 25-year-old Rodgers had previously signed a four-year, $3.44 million contract with the Colts after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Prior to his suspension, he was expected to earn $2.7 million for this season. In his three seasons with the Colts, Rodgers showcased his skills on the field, playing in 45 games and starting 10. He recorded three interceptions in 2021, along with four fumble recoveries the previous year. Notably, Rodgers also made a significant impact during his rookie season in 2020, scoring a 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rodgers boasted impressive grades among cornerbacks who played at least 250 snaps last season. His overall grade of 82.1 ranked him fifth-highest, and he achieved the sixth-highest coverage grade at 81.5. Additionally, Rodgers showcased his abilities in run defense, earning a grade of 75.5, which placed him in the top 20.
Before entering the NFL, Rodgers played college football at UMass. Interestingly, he was a teammate of current Eagles offensive lineman Jack Driscoll during the 2016 and 2017 seasons before Driscoll transferred to Auburn.
In light of the allegations against him, Rodgers promptly issued an apology via Twitter. He expressed remorse for his actions and took full responsibility, vowing to rectify the situation and not be a distraction to his teammates, coaches, and the Colts organization. Rodgers emphasized his commitment to learning from his mistakes and making amends.
As primarily an outside corner, Rodgers has accumulated 948 defensive snaps over three seasons in Indianapolis, with a mere 31 of them occurring in the slot, according to Pro Football Focus.
The addition of Rodgers to the Eagles’ roster for 2024 comes at a time when the team already boasts a talented group of cornerbacks. Darius Slay and James Bradberry, who recently signed three-year deals, will anchor the starting positions. Both players are signed through 2025. Furthermore, the Eagles have other cornerbacks signed for the upcoming seasons, including Josh Jobe through 2024 (with rights until 2025), Kelee Ringo through 2026, Eli Ricks through 2025 (with rights until 2026 if he makes the roster), Avonte Maddix through 2024, and Zech McPhearson, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending Achilles injury but remains signed through 2024.
As the Eagles lay the foundation for their future rosters, the addition of Isaiah Rodgers for the 2024 season is proving to be a strategic move by the team. With his proven ability on the field and a willingness to learn from his past mistakes, Rodgers has the opportunity to make a significant impact on the Eagles’ defense in the coming years.