How Eagles Latest Signing Oren Burks Could Carve Out Role in Philly
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles showed off their remade linebacking group on Tuesday, introducing free-agent signees Devin White and Oren Burks.
White was the headliner as a former All-Pro and Super Bowl-winning star for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after arriving as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft but the well-spoken Burks may be the more sensible signing.
The confident White once projected himself as a $100 million player by the time his second contract rolled around and he came up a bit short in that goal after things went south with the Bucs, settling for a one-year, $4M prove-it deal with the Eagles that coach reach as high as $7.5M with incentives.
Burks, 28, signed on for one year as well for up to $2.5M but if you’re projecting 53-man rosters in March, the Vanderbilt product may be the better bet because he will be slated in as the third linebacker and potential core special-teamer for Michael Clay.
Oren Burks had been a solid backup LB with the 49ers.
USA Today
Neither free-agent signing at LB is the kind of financial investment that will keep Eagles GM Howie Roseman from looking for something better come April in the draft to play next to Nakobe Dean on the defense.
If that kind of goal is accomplished on Day 2 by Roseman, however, it would likely be White in peril despite $3.5 in guarantees because Burks is better equipped to handle the utility role, something he did well in San Francisco last season as the LB3 behind stalwarts Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw for the NFC champions.
“I’m just going to add value wherever I can, whether that’s special teams, defense. Wherever I can,” Burks said. “I know the type of player I am. [the Eagles] obviously liked my tape enough to bring me here.”
Rewind to the length of his rookie contract as a third-round pick in Green Bay and you’ll find Burks was a core special-teamer.
“Ultimately on teams, it’s about effort and want to,” Burks said. “... I didn’t play as much teams last year because I played more on defense but you look at my time in Green Bay and [Year 1] in San Francisco and I was a difference-maker on special teams.”
When Greenwell tore his Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII, it was Burks who stepped in next to Warner on the San Francisco defense and he finished the heartbreaking 25-22 overtime loss to Kansas City.
“It’s the highest stage in sport,” Burks said. “I tried to be as ready as possible. Ultimately, we didn’t get the job done at the end, but getting that taste of the Super Bowl, you want to get back.
“It makes you really hungry. This team has been close to a Super Bowl a couple of years ago as well. I definitely get that vibe that everyone is ready to take that next step.”
For a player used to being in organizations with high expectations, that kind of atmosphere was something Burks coveted and found with Philadelphia.
“I just felt like it was the best fit for me and my family,” he said. “In terms of coming here to compete, obviously they’ve played at a high level here for a long time. I just liked the situation in the linebacker room, special teams-wise, and the culture as well.
“Just a good fit.”
Regarding what Eagles fans can expect, Burks pointed to his length, speed, and physicality.
“I’m a long guy, obviously a 6-foot-3 frame,” Burks said. “A lot of speed. I pride myself on making tackles in space, being relentless. That’s kind of the name of my game, fast and physical.”
