Ronald Darby is hoping that 2019 functions as a new lease on life with respect to his career.
The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing Darby back, signing him to a one-year deal according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is indicating that his new contract will pay him $8.5 million in 2019.
Eagles’ CB Ronald Darby is returning to Philadelphia on a one-year deal, per a source. Eagles keep another of their own players.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2019
Philadelphia Eagles Re-Sign Cornerback Ronald Darby
Darby was on the cusp of a borderline Pro Bowl campaign in 2018 before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in Week 10. Prior to his injury, he had tallied an interception and 12 pass break-ups. But his pass break-up numbers actually led the team for the entirety of the season despite him missing seven games.
2018 was the second straight year where Darby dealt with a major injury. In the previous season’s opening game, he suffered a gruesome dislocated ankle which actually wasn’t as bad as it looked. Darby missed just eight games and later made four tackles and broke up two passes in the Philadelphia Eagles‘ Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots.
Prior to his time in Philly, Darby spent his first two seasons in the league with the Buffalo Bills. He came to the Eagles in a trade that sent wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to Buffalo. Darby’s best season in Western New York was his rookie campaign of 2015. It was then that he intercepted two passes and broke up 21 passes, the latter being good enough for fifth-best in the league. It led to him making the PFWA All-Rookie team.
The Bills didn’t have a first-round pick in 2015 as they dealt it to the Cleveland Browns a year earlier to move up and pick Sammy Watkins. So Darby was their first selection of that year’s draft. Buffalo ended up taking him with the 50th overall pick. Prior to his NFL career, Darby starred for Florida State where he won three ACC titles, a national championship, and garnered conference defensive rookie of the year accolades in 2012.
