According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network, the Philadelphia Eagles have signed defensive end Vinny Curry to a five-year deal worth $47.25 million, with $23 million guaranteed. Curry had been in the last year of his contract and was set to hit free agency as a unrestricted free agent next month.
Curry was selected in the second-round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Eagles. At 6’3, 279 pounds, Curry is considered one of the Eagles better pass-rushers, recording 62 tackles and 16.5 sacks (nine of which came back in 2014) in his first four seasons with Philadelphia.
Curry struggled in the 3-4 defensive scheme that was implemented by the Eagles former head coach Chip Kelly. For the past three seasons, Curry served as a reserve on the defensive line and was used primarily as a pass-rush specialist. Many believe Curry could have a breakout season in 2016 with the arrival of new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who is expected to implement a 4-3 defensive scheme.
In just the past eight days alone, the Eagles have signed defensive end Vinny Curry ( five-year, $47.25 million), offensive tackle Lane Johnson ( five-year, $63 million) and tight ends Brent Celek ( three-year, $13 million) Zach Ertz ( five-year, $42.5 million) to contracts worth a grand total of $165.75 million. The Eagles are also expected to complete a new deal with Pro Bowl defensive lineman Fletcher Cox.
With Chip Kelly no longer the head coach of the Eagles, Howie Roseman was able to return to his job as general manager. And Roseman wasted no time in locking up the Eagles young talent. A practice that Roseman is known for.
The Eagles hope that new head coach Doug Pederson can bring some much needed changes that will have a positive effect not only on the players, but on the organization as well. Albert Breer of the NFL Network reported that Pederson was quick to make a change in the layout of the front office in an effort to improve the communication between the owner Jeffrey Lurie, himself and the rest of the coaching staff.
“I think he felt that was missing ( Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie ), the communication, an open-door policy — and its something I’m obviously willing to change and want to change, to try and make it the best working environment,” Pederson said between practices in Mobile last Wednesday. “If we’re all together as a staff, it does bleed down to the team and affect that locker room.”
“I want to hire guys that fit that mold; I want guys where it’s about the Philadelphia Eagles first, that chech their egos at the door,” Pederson said. “And for the most part, I think everyone of those guys is that kind of guys…. It’s having a tempo and setting a different standard. And then from there, the biggest thing is communication. Communicate with the front office, communicate with the staff, communicate with the secretaries, everybody. And make everybody feel a part of something. That’s important.”
