Tag: Will Shipley

Howie Roseman explains why Eagles haven’t extended Zack Baun, other key free agents

Eagles GM Howie Roseman could be looking to stack up on compensatory picks after he explained why the Eagles didn’t hand out contract extensions to key 2025 free agents like Zack Baun, Josh Sweat and others

The Eagles have 19 pending free agents, and with some big names looking to cash in, the Philadelphia defense could look quite different in 2024.

During his Super Bowl opening-night press conference, the Eagles GM provided insight into his thinking, explaining to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia why he didn’t extend contracts to several key free agents.

“Once you start doing that, it’s almost like, are you picking favorites?” Roseman said. “And the other guys start saying, ‘What about me?’ And they start playing for themselves as opposed to the team.

“Now, we’ve seen that probably costs you money in the long run as you’re doing it. But when you have an opportunity to compete for a championship, it’s worth that sacrifice I think.”

Philadelphia has several critical free agents who probably want to return to the Eagles but could land massive paydays on the open market. Zack Baun, Mekhi Becton, Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kenneth Gainwell could land lucrative deals when the new league year begins.

Roseman admitted that he watches Baun and Becton’s price tag grow daily but sacrificed potential long-term deals for a Super Bowl run without distractions.

“I’ll do anything for a championship,” Roseman said. “So if that’s the trade-off and maybe we lose a player, I won’t like that, but I’ll take it.”

The six free agents listed above will all have major suitors on the open market, but if those players depart, the Eagles can land upwards of four compensatory picks.

Will Shipley has a huge performance in the Eagles’ NFC Championship win

Shipley had a great performance.

Former Clemson star Will Shipley played a pivotal role in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 55-23 victory over Washington in the NFC Championship Game, helping his team advance to Super Bowl LIX.

A fourth-round pick in last year’s NFL Draft, Shipley made an impact on special teams and offense. His 35-yard kickoff return early in the game set up Saquon Barkley’s 60-yard touchdown on the next play, giving the Eagles early momentum. Later, Shipley forced a fumble on a Washington return, which led to a Jalen Hurts touchdown pass to A.J. Brown just before halftime.

In the fourth quarter, Shipley showed his skills on offense with four carries for 77 yards, highlighted by a 57-yard run. He capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown, helping the Eagles set an NFC Championship Game record with 55 points.

At Clemson, Shipley was known for his versatility, tallying over 4,200 all-purpose yards, 2,747 rushing yards, and 31 touchdowns in three seasons. His rookie season with the Eagles was quiet, but his breakout championship performance signals a promising NFL career ahead. Fellow Clemson alum Jeremiah Trotter Jr. also contributed to the Eagles’ win, showcasing the Tigers’ continued influence in the NFL.

Five former Clemson players hoping to reach Super Bowl

A look at the five former Clemson stars who can still win a Super Bowl ring entering Championship Sunday in the NFL.

Whether or not you’re a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles or Washington Commanders, five former Clemson football players will be looking to reach Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Championship Weekend in the NFL Sunday.

The NFC Championship Game between Washington and Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field features three former Tiger stars on active rosters, including two rookies. The Eagles boast rookie running back/receiver/kickoff specialist Will Shipley and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Washington features defensive end Clelin Ferrell.

Ferrell played in 14 regular-season games for the Commanders, totaling 26 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He played in Washington’s 23-20 win over Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round and their 45-31 upset of the Detroit Lions in the divisional round. For the postseason, Ferrell has three tackles and a pass breakup.

Trotter, a fifth-round pick by the Eagles in the 2024 NFL Draft, recovered a fumble in Philadelphia’s 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round and had two tackles in the team’s 28-22 win over the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday. In the regular season, Trotter had 25 tackles and 0.5 sacks in 17 games.

Shipley, a fourth-round pick in 2024, had 30 carries for 82 yards and four catches for 35 yards in 16 games for the Eagles in the regular season.

Kickoff for the NFC Championship Game is at 3 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. The game can be seen on Fox.

In the AFC Championship Game, former Clemson star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be looking to reach his first Super Bowl in a remarkable 12-year NFL career when Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs host Josh Allen and the Bills at Arrowhead Stadium.

Hopkins began the year with the Tennessee Titans before the Chiefs acquired him in a midseason trade. Between the Titans and Chiefs, Hopkins had 56 catches for 610 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games.

While he’s not on the Bills’ active roster, former Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector is hoping to work his way back from a calf injury. Spector saw the most snaps of his career in 2024, with a career-high 40 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in 11 games.

Kickoff for the AFC Championship Game is at 6:30 p.m. ET in Kansas City. The game can be seen on CBS.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles holds a 10-0 lead over the Packers

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two …

Jalen Hurts fought off rust and an intense Packers pass rush to make plays when needed as the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. Vic Fangio’s defense did a good job of confusing Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, forcing two interceptions.

Philadelphia lost linebacker Nakobe Dean to a knee injury and will look to finish drives and capitalize on Packers turnovers.

With the second half underway, here are seven takeaways from the first half.

***

Sights and sounds from first half of Eagles Week 1 matchup vs. Packers in Brazil

The Eagles started the first half miserable in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but thanks to a stout defense, Philadelphia only ended up down 6-0 and entered the second half down 19-17 after regrouping. Both offenses made explosive plays, and the Packers secured …

The Eagles started the first half miserable in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but thanks to a stout defense, Philadelphia only ended up down 6-0 and entered the second half down 19-17 after regrouping.

Both offenses made explosive plays, and the Packers secured two early turnovers to exit the first half up two points. Packers quarterback Jordan Love was 7-14 passing for 130 yards and one first-half touchdown.

Free agent running back Josh Jacobs had six carries for four yards, Emmanuel Wilson led Green Bay with three carries for 37 yards, and Jayden Reed led all pass catchers with two catches for 79 yards and a score. With the second half set to begin, here are takeaways from the first half.

Early pregame sights and sounds from Eagles matchup vs. Packers in Brazil

The Eagles are in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the first NFL game in the region will start in a little under an hour. Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, will host the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers game on Friday at Arena Corinthians …

The Eagles are in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the first NFL game in the region will start in a little under an hour. Brazil, the largest country in Latin America, will host the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers game on Friday at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo. This will be the first NFL game held on a Friday evening since 1970.

With kickoff just moments away, here are sights and sounds from the pregame activities.

Eagles rookie RB Will Shipley switches jersey number

Philadelphia Eagles rookie running back Will Shipley is switching uniform numbers ahead of the season opener vs. the Green Bay Packers

The Eagles have trimmed their roster from 90 players to a league-mandated 53 ahead of the season opener against the Packers.

With over 35 players getting released or waived, it opened up an opportunity for some players to switch uniform numbers.  After Zech McPhearson said goodbye to Philadelphia, talented rookie, and No. 22 overall pick, Quinyon Mitchell swooped in and snatched the No. 27.

Mitchell wasn’t alone, as former Clemson star running back Will Shipley switched from the No. 39 to No. 28.

Like Mitchell, Shipley’s new number became available after Philadelphia waived cornerback Josh Jobe and didn’t resign him to the practice squad.

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Every move the Eagles made during 53-man roster cuts

We’re tracking every move the Philadelphia Eagles made to trim down from 90 players to an official 53-man roster

Philadelphia has a loaded and dynamic roster ripe with dual-threat players on both sides of the football and two of the top coordinators in the game. After five weeks of intense Training Camp and three preseason games, the Birds officially trimmed their roster to 53 players on Tuesday, unveiling the 2024 Eagles to the world and fans alike.

On Monday, the Eagles announced their first wave of roster cuts, releasing four veteran players who are not subject to the waiver wire and can immediately sign with other teams.

With the roster taking shape, here are the moves Philadelphia made to get down to 53 players.

Monday

Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, the franchise announced four moves, releasing Will Grier, Parry Nickerson, Julian Okwara, and Max Scharping.

Tuesday

RELEASED
(*These players are veterans who are not subject to waivers and can sign immediately with another team.)

LB Oren Burks
WR Parris Campbell
OL Nick Gates
G/C Matt Hennessy
WR John Ross
T/G Brett Toth

WAIVED

T/G Gottlieb Ayedze
T Anim Dankwah
RB Tyrion Davis-Price
TE Kevin Foelsch
DT Gabe Hall
WR Jacob Harris (Injured)
WR Griffin Hebert
DE Tarron Jackson
TE E.J. Jenkins
CB Josh Jobe
OLB Terrell Lewis
C Dylan McMahon
CB Zech McPhearson
RB Kendall Milton
DT P.J. Mustipher
WR Joseph Ngata (Injured)
RB Lew Nichols
G/C Jason Poe
TE Armani Rogers
S Andre Sam
LB Brandon Smith
CB Shon Stephens
S Caden Sterns (Non-Football Injury)
T Laekin Vakalahi
WR Austin Watkins

PLACED ON INJURED RESERVE and DESIGNATED FOR RETURN

TE Albert Okwuegbunam
WR Ainias Smith

PLACED ON THE RESERVE/PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM LIST

S Sydney Brown

Eagles vs. Vikings: Top photos from preseason finale at Lincoln Financial Field

We’re looking at the top photos from the Philadelphia Eagles preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles finished the preseason 2-1. They now aim to trim the roster to 53 players and prepare for a gigantic season-opening matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil. Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall was 17-25 passing for 189 yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon, while Tanner McKee was 13-21 passing for 115 yards and one interception. Lucky Jackson led Minnesota with four catches for 53 yards, while Griffin Hebert led Philadelphia with three for 48 yards in the afternoon. On defense, Tristin McCollum made a late push for a roster spot, recording nine tackles and one pass defended on the afternoon. Oren Burks made his own statement, logging seven tackles, one sack, one pass defended, one tackle for loss, and one QB hit. With the team off until Monday, here’s an instant analysis of the preseason finale. ***

Will Shipley has solid showing in second preseason game with Philadelphia Eagles

Here’s how Clemson’s Will Shipley fared in his second preseason game for the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday.

Former Clemson standout Will Shipley had an impressive showing in the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough Thursday night.

Shipley had five carries for 15 yards to go with four receptions for 31 yards, including a 19-yard pickup on a screen pass from quarterback Tanner McKee early in the second quarter in the Eagles’ 14-13 victory over New England.

He made his NFL debut in the Eagles’ preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 8 and had seven carries for 23 yards. In that game, Shipley had a 7-yard touchdown catch from Kenny Pickett late in the first quarter for his first career NFL touchdown.

Shipley was a fourth-round pick (No. 127 overall) by Philadelphia in the 2024 NFL Draft after a stellar three-year stint at Clemson from 2021-23.

With the Tigers, Shipley rushed for 2,747 yards and 31 touchdowns on 526 carries. He also had 602 yards and two touchdowns on 85 career receptions over the course of 36 games (27 starts).

RELATED: Former Tiger Joseph Ngata shows out in Eagles preseason win over the Patriots

The Eagles host the Minnesota Vikings in their final preseason contest next Saturday, Aug. 24, at noon ET at Lincoln Financial Field.

Philadelphia opens the regular season Friday, Sept. 6 at home against the Green Bay Packers. The game will be streamed on Peacock.

For more coverage of Shipley and the Eagles, head over to Eagles Wire.

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