Agholor: “I’m Having a Whole Lot of Fun Right Now”
Nelson Agholor drew plenty of criticism the last two seasons, but he put his best foot forward in the Eagles win over Arizona on Sunday and showed he can make big plays for the Eagles when called upon.
The wide receiver finished the game four catches for a career-high 93 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ Week 5 win over the Cardinals. His longest reception was also his flashiest: a 72-yard touchdown strike from Carson Wentz midway through the third quarter, spinning, twisting and turning his way past safety Budda Baker, into the end zone for his third touchdown of the season.
“At first I thought I was even with him," Agholor described. "I was ducking my head and then I saw the ball, so I turned up another gear to go track it. Carson just gave me a great opportunity and threw such a beautiful ball. It was easy to track and make a play from there.”
In two seasons, the former No. 20 overall pick has a total 59 catches for 648 yards and three touchdowns. His 2017 campaign, Agholor is already on pace to well surpass those numbers, with 16 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns in five games.
"It's confidence," Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said when asked for the biggest reason for Agholor's improvement this season.
"It's total confidence and it's -- I think it's me believing in him, the coaching staff on offense believing in him, and the players around him believing in him. I see this kid every single day, and the way he walks in the building with confidence. Nothing gets him down. He works extremely hard, and he's playing at a high level right now."
The Eagles added two receivers in free agency and drafted a pair of wide outs, so Agholor slipped down the depth chart, with Torrey Smith assuming what had been Agholor's starting role opposite Alshon Jeffery.
Now sliding down to the third option, Agholor is fitting into the Eagles offense and having a good time in the process.
“I’m having a whole lot of fun right now," Agholor said after the game. "I work my butt off and I want to continue to work my butt off because I enjoy this. I really enjoy the game of football and enjoy the process of getting better. I want to go out there and have fun with my teammates.”