Steven Nelson Joins Eagles Secondary

The deal is worth just $4 million for one year.

Get our free mobile app

Nelson represented one of the top free agent cornerbacks left on the market and, without him in the fold, the Eagles were sure to start a very unproven player outside opposite Darius Slay.

The signing could move Avonte Maddox to the slot, where he is better suited.

He had a down season last year with an opposing passer rating that dropped from 48.4 in 2019 to 63.8. This deal might be a way of his looking to increase his value for a longer-term deal while the Eagles have a chance to either re-sign him or seek a compensatory pick for him following the season.

Like Eric Wilson and Anthony Harris, Nelson is a player the Eagles think has been undervalued by the market and represents a signing that could pay off big time should it work out without having to tie up any future cap space.

Nelson has played six seasons (four with Kansas City and two with Pittsburgh) and started 68 games. He was released as a salary cap casualty earlier this offseason when the Steelers cleared over $8 million with the release.

In a corresponding move, defensive tackle Willie Henry was released.

Paul Bowman is an Eagles contributor for 97.3 ESPN and Eagles editor for SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @PhillyBallPaul.