Eight Years After Desperate Effort, Eagles Sign Ex-Falcons QB as Jalen Hurts Backup for Budget Deal

Following their heartbreaking loss in Super Bowl LVII, the Philadelphia Eagles are grappling with the defeat during the offseason like any other team would. While they have Jalen Hurts in the forefront, the franchise is making moves to address its backup quarterback shortage. This year, the franchise did something it could not do eight years before.

Philly’s quarterback crew had Jalen Hurts as a starter and Gardner Minshew II to back him up. However, the franchise suffered a blow when they lost their QB2. The Jockstrap King took off to Indy to join the Indianapolis Colts. Now that they are in depletion, the franchise scouted out the market and found someone they monitored for a long time.

Jalen Hurts obtains a teammate the Eagles desired eight years back

As per Adam Schefter, the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms with QB Marcus Mariota. They settled to a one-year $5 million deal worth up to $8 million. He would become the franchise’s QB2 and back up for Jalen Hurts. Mariota was the best option accessible in the market, and Philly just swooped in for him.

The Birds could finally see Marcus Mariota in the midnight green jersey. The moment was eight years in the making. They were set to have him as the quarterback under HC Chip Kelly. To make that happen, they traded up from their first-round pick at No. 20 overall in the 2015 Draft to select Mariota. However, the Tennessee Titans drafted him as a No. 2 overall pick.

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The Eagles were also circling rumors that they would be losing out on critical athletes. One of them was CB Darius Slay, who was surrounding release rumors.

What’s the deal with Darius Slay?

It seems like the Eagles were not ready to give up on their veteran cornerback. The Birds would be ecstatic to learn about Darius Slay, as he is not leaving by any means. The franchise struck a three-year extension deal with the athlete that keeps him in Philly for the foreseeable future, per Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.

Before striking the $42 million contract extension, Darius Slay was encircling release speculations and also acknowledged it via Twitter. The Eagles also allowed him to seek a trade, although the organization was ‘hopeful’ that he would stay.

Eventually, it all came down to the Eagles, retaining their top athlete and making an eight-year-old thing a reality.

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