PHILADELPHIA: The Philadelphia Eagles’ decision to bring back veteran tight end Albert Okwuegbunam for a one-year contract derailled many “Stay or Go” drills in the Delaware Valley, while it wasn’t quite like ripping up an NCAA bracket when a few young Cinderellas pulled off shocks. In August of last year, the Eagles traded late-round choices with Denver in an attempt to take a chance on Okwuegbunam, hoping to improve the position following experienced starter Dallas Goedert.
Okwuegbunam had teased in Denver with his exceptional athleticism, and the Eagles, who were ranked 31st on the waiver wire, knew the Broncos were set to move on and they were unlikely to grab the TE in that form, so it appeared like a smart swing from general manager Howie Roseman.
As a reserve tight end with the Broncos from 2020 to 2022, Okwuegbunam caught 54 passes for 546 yards and four touchdowns, demonstrating his unusual 4.49 speed at 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds. It’s hardly a lot of productivity, but given what the Eagles have been getting from Grant Calcaterra behind Goedert and Jack Stoll, who plays mostly as a blocker, it was at least an upgrade on the receiving end. But in 2023, that feeling never materialized, and Okwuegbunam was relegated to the depth chart even when Goedert missed three games due to a fracture.
Since Okwuegbunam’s contract was about to expire, it appeared certain that he would go unsigned in March. However, the Eagles presented him with a new one-year contract over three weeks before the league season began. Given his track record of success with tight ends, it’s possible that Kellen Moore, the new offensive coordinator, wants to see Okwuegbunam in the spring and summer.
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