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Though NFL free agency isn’t slated to begin in earnest until 4 p.m. Wednesday, the Eagles lRaost a fourth starter from the defense that helped them reach the Super Bowl during the early negotiation period Tuesday.
Joining defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (49ers), linebacker T.J. Edwards (Bears) and safety Marcus Epps (Raiders) is Kyzir White, easily the best coverage linebacker the Eagles had.
White agreed to terms on a two-year, $11 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals, where he will be reunited with head coach Jonathan Gannon, formerly defensive coordinator of the Eagles.
The Eagles also agreed to terms Tuesday with a couple of running backs not named Miles Sanders.
Boston Scott reached terms on a one-year contract worth $2 million. Scott has been the ultimate role player for the Eagles. Last season he had 54 rushes for 217 yards and three touchdowns and averaged 27.1 yards on 15 kickoff returns, with a long of 66 yards. Scott has 17 touchdowns in five seasons with the Eagles. He has started a dozen games.
Earlier in the day the Eagles also agreed to a one-year deal with injury plagued running back Rashad Penny, according to reports. Penny (5-11, 220) started just 11 games in five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, who obviously were tired of listing him on the injury report. He rushed for 346 yards on 57 carries (6.1 average) and scored two TDs in five games last year and has 14 TDs in his career.
Sanders still is a free agent.
The Eagles retained 35-year-old center Jason Kelce, who reportedly is in line for a one-year, $14.25 million contract. That was a key offseason move for a club saving salary cap space to extend the contract of quarterback Jalen Hurts.
The other losses thus far appear negligible. The Eagles realized early in free agency they weren’t going to be able to accomodate the contracts of the bulk of 18 players scheduled to become free agents.
Hargrave’s four-year deal is reportedly worth $84 million with $40 million guaranteed.
Edwards’ pact is for three years and is worth up to $19.5 million. Epps got a two-year deal worth $12 million.
Former BIrds offensive tackle Andre Dillard agreed previously to a three-year deal worth up to $29 million with the Tennessee Titans.
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