The Philadelphia Eagles are facing uncertainty at the safety position following the trade of C.J. Gardner-Johnson. This has opened the door for young players Sydney Brown, a former third-round pick, and rookie Andrew Mukuba to compete for the starting role alongside current starter Reed Blankenship. This battle for playing time is shaping up to be one of the most important position contests of the offseason.
If the Eagles find their young options lacking, they could explore the free-agent market for a more experienced solution. One top candidate is veteran safety Justin Simmons, who remains available and has been linked as a potential fit for Philadelphia. Simmons has publicly expressed interest in joining the Eagles, adding to speculation that the team might pursue him.
Simmons previously played some of his best football under Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, which makes the potential reunion appealing. His experience and skill set could provide a reliable option and help shore up a defense that lost a key ball hawk in Gardner-Johnson. Many believe this signing would be a natural fit given the circumstances.
However, Simmons is 31 years old and coming off a less-than-stellar season, which raises questions about whether he fits the Eagles’ desire to get younger on defense. This age factor, combined with his recent decline in production, makes the signing seem less likely despite the apparent benefits. Philadelphia may prefer to develop their young talent instead of investing in a veteran.
Ultimately, while the idea of adding Simmons sounds logical, it conflicts with the Eagles’ rebuilding strategy on the defensive side. As a result, this offseason could see the team relying on their younger safeties to step up and fill the void left by Gardner-Johnson, rather than bringing in the veteran free agent.
