After much speculation, the Philadelphia Eagles have signed linebacker Stephen Tulloch
After losing rookie linebacker Joe Walker to an ACL injury, the Philadelphia Eagles need for linebacking depth got even more dire.
While the current crop of starters (Mychal Kendricks, Jordan Hicks, Nigel Bradham) is already strong, the depth was not.
Najee Goode is the only back-up with playing time under his belt. Brandon Graham is transitioning back into a 4-3 defensive end, as is Connor Barwin.
This ment new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz needed to find a veteran who could step in and know the system.
After weeks of speculation and rumors, the Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran linebacker Stephen Tulloch to a one-year deal. The deal is reportedly worth up to $3 million, and will reunite Tulloch with his former head coach Schwartz.
Former Lions LB Stephen Tulloch is expected to sign with Eagles, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2016
Two weeks ago Tulloch and the Eagles were reportedly close on a deal, but the rumors slowly began to sizzle out. He will most likely play behind second-year middle linebacker Jordan Hicks, who is coming off a pectoral injury.
Hicks was the Eagles third round pick last season, and was on his way to being a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist prior to his injury.
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Stephen Tulloch will check off all the boxes for the Philadelphia Eagles. He knows Jim Schwartz’s system, and he can be a veteran voice to help the former Longhorn Hicks develop.
Pro Football Focus ranked Stephen Tulloch as the 54th best linebacker last season, although his run defense was in the top 20.
Detroit cut Tulloch late in the offseason as he entered the last year of a five-year contract with the Lions. Detroit saved $5.5 million by cutting Tulloch prior to training camp, but did pay his roster bonus at the start of the new league year.