In a surprise move, the Philadelphia Eagles have secured two potentially exciting linebackers. The Eagles have inked both Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham to deals for the upcoming season. In a move reminiscent of the signings of Ndamukong Shu and Linval Joseph. The signings could prove to be game-changing for the defense. The Eagles front office has shown a commitment to fortifying their defense. These signings serve as a testament to the team’s unwavering quest for improvement. How will these additions impact the current group of linebackers, and how seamlessly will Jack and Cunningham integrate into the Eagles defensive lineup? In this article, we will discuss the impact of the Eagles linebacker acquisitions.
Impact of the Eagles Linebacker Acquisitions
Myles Jack an Impressive Athlete
Myles Jack is a proven force on the football field. Jack (age 27) arrives in Philadelphia after a tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars and a one-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Known for his exceptional speed and versatility, Jack’s addition to the Eagles roster immediately elevates the linebacking position. Jack has played in 103 games over seven seasons in the league. Jack has racked up the tackles, he has achieved over 100 tackles in four out of his seven seasons. Eagles fans have reason to be excited about the impact Jack can make on the team’s overall performance.
Zach Cunningham the Tackling Machine
Zach Cunningham (age 28), formerly of the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans, brings a formidable presence to the team’s linebacker corps. Cunningham has a reputation as a tackling machine and he is proficient in both run defense and pass coverage. His versatility could prove to be a valuable asset for the Eagles defensive scheme. He has a unique ability to read offenses and swiftly react to plays. In 2020, Cunningham led the entire NFL with an astounding 164 combined tackles, 106 of those being solo tackles. Unfortunately, last season was not as special for Cunningham. He has struggled with injuries only playing in 4 games before ending up on injured reserve with an elbow injury. If he can stay healthy, he should provide a major boost.
Impact on the Linebacker Position
Despite what some might think, these moves are not a reflection on current starting linebacker Nakobe Dean. The Eagles have talked highly of Dean all offseason and he is still projected to be the week one starter. Now, Dean did get an ankle injury in practice, (which he has since returned from) this was possibly a factor in the team’s decision to add depth to the linebacking corps.
The signings seem to be more of a reflection on the current room as a whole. While the Eagles like Dean, he is only a second-year player who saw very few snaps last season. Behind him on the depth chart you have former Chicago Bear Nicholas Marrow, Christian Elliss, and Shaun Bradley. Not exactly a star-studded group of linebackers.
Jack and Cunningham are both veteran players with a ton of football under their belts. At worst, both players can provide solid depth to a room that very much needed it. Both players have the potential to play and play a significant role in this Eagles defense. At best, both players can return to form and turn what seemed to be a weakness of the team into a strength.
Main Photo Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
