Isaac Seumalo is the Latest Eagles Free Agent to Leave, Heading to the Steelers
It took maybe a little longer than expected, but Isaac Seumalo has finally found a new home, agreeing to a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers late Saturday night.
The news was first reported by The Score's Jordan Schultz.
The now-former Eagles offensive lineman, who settled in at right guard, becomes the eighth player to depart the NFC champions in free agency.
Seumalo, 29, joins DT Javon Hargrave, LB T.J. Edwards, S Marcus Epps, LB Miles Sanders, OL Andre Dillard, and QB Gardner Minshew in leaving for another team over the past week.
The Eagles will likely plug in second-year player Cam Jurgens, taken in the second round last year, at right guard. There’s also a good chance that the Eagles, having now lost two O-linemen in free agency, will draft somebody early in April.
The handwriting for Seumalu’s departure was on the wall when center Jason Kelce decided to return for another season. One way or the other, the Eagles wanted to see what they have in Jurgens, whether that was as Kelce’s replacement at center or Seumalo’s at guard.
A very cerebral player and person, Seumalo was called the smartest player on the offensive line and also the most underrated more than once by Kelce.
Drafted in the third round, and the Eagles next pick after taking QB Carson Wentz back in 2016, Seumalo started all 17 games last year and made 60 starts during his career.
Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl, who spent six years with Eagles GM Howie Roseman, was part of Philly’s front office when the team drafted Seumalo.
The thinking that he lasted as long as he did on the free-agent market was perhaps concern over the Lisfranc injury he suffered early in 2021. He played just three games that season, and it was an injury that required a pair of surgeries.
The injury didn’t prevent Seumalo from being ready to go on the Eagles’ first day of training camp last summer.
“It’s been great being out there,” he said in August. “I remember the first day we had pads on, I took a minute. It had been nine, 10 months since I put on cleats and pads and stuff. I’m really enjoying the moment. Just squeezing as much as I can out of every day.”
Asked back then if he ever reflects on his career and being the last player left on the Eagles’ roster from the 2016 draft class, Seumalo mentioned former teammate and another 2016 draft class member, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who left for the Lions in free agency after the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2018.
“We talk about how we first come in and didn’t know a heck of a lot about what was going on,” said Seumalo. “Now that I’m here and playing, it’s flown by. I try to appreciate living in the moment, and that I get to play this game for a living. Especially when you get injured and get away from the game, it puts everything in perspective.”
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Ed Kracz is the publisher of SI.com’s Fan Nation Eagles Today and co-host of the Eagles Unfiltered Podcast. Check out the latest Eagles news at www.SI.com/NFL/Eagles or www.eaglestoday.com and please follow him on Twitter: @kracze.
