Skip to content
Eagles
Link copied to clipboard

Eagles sign Edwards to one-year deal

UPDATE:

As general manager Howie Roseman suggested would happen earlier today, the Eagles and free agent quarterback Trent Edwards agreed to a one-year contract, according to an NFL source.

Adam Schefter of ESPN first reported the news. The Eagles later made the signing official.

The 28-year-old Edwards, who did not play in the NFL last season, will not be handed the backup quarterback spot to Michael Vick and will likely have to compete to make the roster. The Eagles still have Vince Young and Mike Kafka under contract.

While Kafka is expected to return for his third season with the Eagles, Young isn't likely to be back. The Eagles will probably add another quarterback into the mix before spring practices start.

Edwards last played for the Jaguars and Bills in 2010. He spent three-plus seasons in Buffalo from 2007-10, starting 32 games and compiling a 14-18 record as a starter in the regular season.

FROM EARLIER:

INDIANAPOLIS -- We still don't have definitive answers about what the Eagles will do with DeSean Jackson (though the team continues to talk up his "bright" future in Philadelphia) and where they are leaning in the draft, but we got a clearer picture of a smaller question Thursday in Indianapolis when general manager Howie Roseman indicated that  the team could soon sign quarterback Trent Edwards, giving them another option as a backup.

The Eagles have worked out Edwards and had him in for a physical and "that's something that may come about pretty quickly here," Roseman said. Asked later if that means a signing could be imminent he said, "that's fair."

Edwards last played in 2010 for the Bills and Jaguars and was cut in 2011 by the Raiders. He has 33 career starts. While Vince Young is out of contract and seems unlikely to return, an Edwards signing wouldn't necessarily mean he will be Mike Vick's backup for 2012. Roseman hinted that Edwards would have to compete for a job even if he is signed.

Roseman was also asked about the futures of Jackson, Asante Samuel, Evan Mathis and Derek Landri.

On Jackson, he reiterated what he said a week ago about the receiver's "bright future," but added more emphasis to that s future being in Philadelphia.

"We think he's got a great future and we're excited about the possibilities of DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia, but we also want to communicate with his representatives and him before we voice the direction that we're going in," Roseman said. Asked if that was an optimistic assessment, he said, "I'm an optimistic guy."

"We just want to make sure for all our players, including DeSean, that they're getting the message from us and not through the media," Roseman said. He would not comment on whether he has been in touch with Jackson since the end of the season, saying he prefers to keep any contact private.

The Eagles can't currently re-sign Mathis or Landri, because of CBA rules regarding players under minimum contracts (which they both were in 2011), but Roseman said they were each "good players for us, we're going to spend some time talkign to their representatives when the appropriate time comes ... we're really happy with the contributions they made."

Each made significant contributions last year, and Roseman's words make it sound like the team will try to bring both back.

It's unclear if that's true for Samuel, but many expect him to be traded given the team's glut at cornerback and the big raise Samuel is due.

"Asante Samuel's a big-time playmaker ... we feel fortunate to have him as a Philadelphia Eagle," Roseman said. Asked, though, if he has been fielding calls for Samuel Roseman said, "we have been talking to a lot of teams about players, whether it was last year, as we get started this year you talk to a lot of people and that continues as you go through the Combine" and through the draft.