The Eagles had a productive Day 2 of the legal negotiating period in free agency, confirming a $14.25 million deal with star center Jason Kelce while bringing back All-Pro cornerback James Bradberry and backup running back/kick returner Boston Scott.
The team also went outside the organization and agreed to terms with explosive but oft-injured running back Rashaad Penny.
The Kelce deal was confirmed after the five-time All-Pro confirmed he would be returning for his 13th NFL season and included a $250K raise and another $500K in potential incentives. The deal keeps Kelce as the highest-paid center in the NFL and likely shifts 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens over to right guard if Isaac Seumalo leaves in free agency as expected.
Seumalo, however, remains on the open market late Tuesday afternoon.
The splashes came with Penny agreeing to come over from Seattle, and Bradberry re-signing with the Eagles at a discount.
A first-round pick of the Seahawks in 2018, Penny has missed 40 games over his five NFL seasons and has never played in more than 10 games but when he’s out there the powerful 220-pound back has been effective, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. His most significant injuries are a torn ACL and a broken tibia that cost Penny all but five games in the 2022 season in which he ran for 346 yards on 57 carries, a college-like 6.1 yards per clip.
His running ability behind the Eagles’ offensive line is intoxicating but it’s hard to imagine Penny staying healthy for 17 games because it’s never happened in the past.
To that end, the Eagles brought back Boston Scott on a one-year deal for $2 million setting up a potential backfield of Penny, Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott with 2022 waiver-wire pickup Trey Sermon trying to break through.
The signing of Penny also likely means the end of Miles Sanders in Philadelphia although Sanders remains on the market.
Bradberry came back on a three-year, $38 million deal that could reach as high as $44M with incentives. A Second-team All-Pro last season, Bradnerry had three interceptions and 17 pass breakups for the Eagles in 2022. It was the third consecutive season Bradberry had at least 17 PBUs.
“There were other teams that offered me more, but I feel like Philly fit me the best,” Bradberry told CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson.
