5 thoughts on Eagles' decision to sign DE Ryan Kerrigan

[time2rock]

5 thoughts on Eagles' decision to sign DE Ryan Kerrigan

 By Eliot Shorr-Parks

May 17, 202110:16 am

 

The Eagles have signed defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, a move that Kerrigan announced on Monday on his Instagram. The Eagles confirmed the acquisition, as well.

Kerrigan, 32-years old, has played his entire 10-year career with Washington, totaling 95.5 sacks in 156 games.

There is plenty to take from this move, but for now, here are five thoughts on the signing:

*** Let’s start with the player. Kerrigan is a great depth signing for the team, as he has been pretty consistent in his ability to get after the quarterback throughout his career. Kerrigan has had at least 5.5 sacks every season he has played, a number he totaled in both 2019 and 2020. There is no question his production has dipped, as he totaled 37 sacks from 2016 to 2018, but he is still a very solid pass rusher.

*** Part of the reason for Kerrigan’s dip in sacks over the last few seasons has been a dip in playing time. Kerrigan played in just 57% of the defensive snaps in 2019, and just 38% in 2020. After playing in at least 72% of the snaps each season prior, Kerrigan was actually getting after the quarterback at the same rate, he was just on the field less.

** What this means for the Eagles’ defensive end rotation will be interesting to see. Kerrigan presumably wouldn’t have signed here unless he was basically a lock to not only make the team, but to get playing time. He would seem to be the fourth defensive, behind Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat. The signing of Kerrigan means it is going to be harder for rookie Milton Williams (who will play both edge and defensive tackle) and Tarron Jackson to get on the field.

** Who is on the field remains to be seen, but the bottom line is the Eagles’ pass rush has the potential to be very, very good. Adding Kerrigan to Graham, Barnett and Sweat along the edge gives the Eagles a very strong set of pass rushers to go along with Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave in the middle. After finishing 3rd in the league in sacks last season there is a chance the team’s defensive line is even better in 2021.

** This is certainly more of a win-now move than the Eagles were expected to make this offseason. Kerrigan is 32-years old, and as a rotational player can be effective, but he isn’t exactly a building block piece. The Eagles have created a habit of signing older players over the last few seasons, taking snaps away from younger players in the process. This move is very much in line with that, and is surprising considering the team has made it pretty clear this offseason they are trying to build with the future in mind, as opposed to being all-in on 2021.

https://www.audacy.com/94wip/sports/eagles/eagles-sign-de-ryan-kerrigan-to-1-year-deal?fbclid=IwAR1AM8CD8Qg70du2V2lQf_de0YpDR1zQBdcVtx_V0HaE2zFmN6zXubpZ5VM

[UK_EaglesFan89]

On 5/19/2021 at 12:20 PM, time2rock said:

This is certainly more of a win-now move than the Eagles were expected to make this offseason.

I don't necessarily agree. They added 2 young DTs and 2 young DEs in the draft didn't they? Barnett is still fairly young despite going in to year 5 and Sweat is still young. Kerrigan may be an older guy but he's a good guy and a guy players can learn from. 

[pallidrone]

My first gut reaction to the signing - I guess they are going to trade Barnett at some point. Not sure if that is their thought process, but it would make sense.

1) Get more draft capital for next year

2) Start Graham and Sweat, with Kerrigan and Williams/Jackson rotating in

3) Use the $10.5 to sign Goedert to a long term deal

[weko]

On 5/21/2021 at 5:31 AM, pallidrone said:

My first gut reaction to the signing - I guess they are going to trade Barnett at some point. Not sure if that is their thought process, but it would make sense.

1) Get more draft capital for next year

2) Start Graham and Sweat, with Kerrigan and Williams/Jackson rotating in

3) Use the $10.5 to sign Goedert to a long term deal

Not sure Sweat's knee will ever be sound enough for him to start.  Probably a limited snaps rotational guy his whole career, but you need those guys on the DL

[UK_EaglesFan89]

1 hour ago, weko said:

Not sure Sweat's knee will ever be sound enough for him to start.  Probably a limited snaps rotational guy his whole career, but you need those guys on the DL

Agreed. He's not a starter because he can't play full time. I mean he can "start" games but he can't play full time snaps. Not that any player does though to be fair.