Eagles ‘Believe in Second Chances’ with Signing of CB Isaiah Rodgers
The Philadelphia Eagles made a move that adds another wrinkle to a whole new world for the NFL these days as more and more players are being suspended for violating the league’s gambling policies.
Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was with the Indianapolis Colts when he received his suspension and was released almost immediately in late June only to sign with the Eagles on Monday.
His suspension states he’ll be out for at least the 2023 NFL season, but now that he’s in Philadelphia the logical question, to bring up is whether or not the team will have any contact with him beyond finalizing his new contract.
“There’s no contact with him,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “After he signs, he is suspended — he reverts to the reserve suspension list right away.
“Obviously, [head] coach [Nick Sirianni] was with him in Indy. We did work on him coming out of the draft, saw his pro tape. He is a talented guy, and obviously he made a mistake, and he has apologized for that mistake.”
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Sirianni was the offensive coordinator with the Colts in 2020 when Rodgers was a rookie after being drafted in the sixth round of the draft that spring.
In his rookie year, Rodgers played in 13 games and came up with seven tackles while returning one punt and 24 kickoffs. He showed his speed as a returner with 28.8 yards per kickoff return and a 101-yard touchdown.
As Sirianni moved on to Philadelphia, Rodgers moved up Indianapolis’ depth chart, getting a start in 2021 and nine more this past season.
Rodgers got his first three career interceptions in 2021 and recovered four fumbles in 2022.
Any upward momentum Rodgers was building immediately halted when his suspension was handed down. Now, he’ll have to wait at least a year before getting putting that second chance to the test on the field.
“We believe in second chances, and now it’s on him,” Roseman said. “He’ll come in next year, be ready to go for the offseason program and training camp. I think. He’s got (to) apply for reinstatement, so I’m not taking that for granted.”
As cases of NFL players being suspended for gambling violations have stacked, eventually there is going to be a redemption story.
This one will take place with the Eagles, in a city that knows a thing or two about bouncing back from adversity.
