According to the team’s official announcement, the Philadelphia Eagles have re-signed free agent Derek Barnett to a two-year contract.
That’s right, a very disappointing player that almost everyone wanted to see in the past is back for at least one more season, maybe longer!
In light of Barnett being on the market longer than expected without a contract, it is possible that he returned to Philadelphia. But most believed that Barnett was the sure end before that. Here’s what we wrote about him in our position review series:
CONSIDERATION: “It’s always him. Few will be able to forget the words that Nick Sirianni caught behind the eyebrow on the touchline after Barnett’s stupid penalty early in the season. Sure enough, the 2017 first round pick ended the year with a third-place finish among all wingers. And that’s not to say that focusing on these mistakes undermines elite manufacturing. Barnett clearly failed to prove himself as a high level pass rusher; last season he had 2.5 sacks in 17 games. Like Nelson Agolor in 2019, the Eagles fell short of their money by buying Barnett’s fifth-year option. Which, by the way, Howie Roseman restructured last summer to put the Eagles on the hook for $7.25 million in dead money at the 2022 limit if Barnett doesn’t return to the team.
FORECAST: Barnett may draw more attention to free will than one might expect. Edge rusher is a premium position, turns 26 in June and has first round pedigree. To be clear, the Eagles shouldn’t be a team that pays a guy with just 4.5 sacks in his last 25 games. Not to mention concerns about the penalty and its longevity. The idea that Barnett is a total bum is too harsh; he can be a starter. But the sample is enough to seriously doubt his ability as a true decisive player on the edge.
In a vacuum, re-signing Barnett (depending on price) is not a bad move. This gives the Eagles more defensive depth.
In a broader context, this is another example of a team relying too much on established internal options (see “No New Ideas”). They couldn’t take a chance with someone else with more potential? Is this another free agent, or someone in the draft, or allowing someone like Tarron Jackson to come up? The same goes for bringing back the likes of Anthony Harris, Boston Scott and Greg Ward. What’s the beauty of bringing him back with a lineup that wasn’t all that great even last year? If you liked the 2021 Eagles, you will really like the 2022 team.
Yes, we all know that the team has three first round picks this year. Perhaps these assets will ultimately be of great value to the Eagles. But that’s hardly guaranteed, especially given Howie Roseman’s track record in the draft outside of the top 13 picks.
With today’s re-signing, the Eagles have four top defensive options: Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweet and Barnett. Of course, Reddick is listed as a linebacker and can play a few snaps as a SAM. The Eagles can still look to have an advantage at the start of the 2022 NFL Draft, although Barnett’s return could dampen those chances.