Eagles Sign Isaiah Rodgers: Why Philadelphia Added Suspended Free Agent CB

May 20, 2024

The Eagles signed ex-Colts CB Isaiah Rodgers, who will serve a gambling suspension in 2023. Why did Philadelphia add a free agent who can't play this year?

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman always finds creative ways to add talent to his roster. On Monday, the Eagles signed a player who won’t even be eligible to play during the 2023 NFL season.

Philadelphia announced it agreed to terms with free agent cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who is suspended for at least one year after making NFL bets during the 2022 campaign.

The NFL issued Rodgers an indefinite suspension in June after the league determined he’d placed at least 100 bets on NFL games. Rodgers was reportedly using a sportsbook account created in the name of someone close to him.

While most of his wagers were in the $25-50 range, Rodgers placed at least one four-digit bet. He won a $1,000 prop bet related to a Colts running back’s over/under rushing total.

Indianapolis waived Rodgers minutes after his ban was announced. A former undrafted free agent, Rodgers had been scheduled to earn nearly $3 million in 2023.

Eagles have signed CB Isaiah Rodgers, who was subsequently placed on the Reserve/Suspended list and Waived DT Noah Elliss with an injury settlement. pic.twitter.com/ArE3Iew44W

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 28, 2023

He hasn’t generated any known interest since being released by the Colts. Some NFL organizations might have shied away from Rodgers due to his association with sports betting, but the Eagles are willing to look for value anywhere they can find it.

Rodgers had been on track to become a full-time starter for Indy before his release. He took over at cornerback midway through last season, starting every game from Week 7 through 16 before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out for the rest of the year.

Among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps in 2022, Rodgers ranked second in yards per reception allowed (7.4), per PFF. Most of the top 10 corners in YPR played in the slot, where they primarily drew targets with a lower depth, but Rodgers spent almost all his time at outside corner.

The terms of Rodgers’ contract with the Eagles haven’t yet been released, but Philadelphia probably signed him for something close to the league minimum.

That’s a bargain for a 25-year-old who’s already proven himself a starting-caliber level cornerback at the NFL level.

The Eagles managed to retain Darius Slay and James Bradberry this offseason, but both veteran corners are on the wrong side of 30. While their contracts are meant to keep them on Philadelphia’s roster for at least two years, that’s not guaranteed.

Slay and Bradberry could both be designated as post-June 1 cuts next offseason. If one of those aged players starts to decline in 2023, it wouldn’t be out of the question for the Eagles to cut ties, even if neither release would net the club any salary cap savings.

AIR RODGERS. ✈️

📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/OdWdANZS7a

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 17, 2021

Of course, that’s a worst-case scenario for Philadelphia. If Slay and Bradberry continue to perform next season, Rodgers could become overqualified depth.

But that’s not the worst thing for a team at cornerback, where a squad typically needs at least four or five options throughout a season.

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Rodgers hasn’t spent much time in the slot, but if the Eagles believe he can play nickel, he could become insurance on Avonte Maddox, who will enter the final season of his three-year extension in 2024.

Optionality is the name of the game for NFL front offices, and Rodgers will give Philadelphia another competent alternative in the secondary. Even if Rodgers never becomes anything more than a backup — or never even makes the Eagles’ roster in 2024 — he represents a worthwhile bite at the apple.

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