According to a report from Pro Football Talk, the Eagles have indeed signed veteran linebacker Stephen Tulloch.
Stephen Tulloch signs with the Eagles, per source. $3 million deal, with $1.75 million fully guaranteed.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 21, 2016
Adam Schefter also tweeted something similar, before the reports were confirmed by Jeff McLane. Stephen Tulloch has signed a one-year deal with the Eagles.
Former Lions LB Stephen Tulloch is expected to sign with Eagles, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2016
Source confirms LB Stephen Tulloch deal with the #Eagles: 1 year, $3M, $1.75M guaranteed.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 21, 2016
The move really doesn’t come as that much of a surprise. After losing Joe Walker to a torn ACL, depth was scarily thin at a position where the starters are yet to complete a full 16-game season.
Then of course, there’s the connection with Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He started out his professional career under Schwartz, with the Tennessee Titans. Tulloch was a 4th round pick of the Titans back in 2006, but didn’t become a full time starter for the team until 2008. That was the only season he started for the Titans under Jim Schwartz. But that didn’t stop them from reuniting.
Tulloch signed with the Detroit Lions, prior to the 2011 season, to be reunited with his former defensive coordinator, now head coach Jim Schwartz. In the three seasons Tulloch spent with the lions under Jim Schwartz, he finished each of those seasons with 110+ tackles (111 in 2011, 112 in 2012, and 135 in 2013). He was one of the best run-stuffing linebackers at the time, which played a huge factor in Schwartz’s “wide nine” scheme.
The Detroit Lions moved on from the 31 year old in a bid to get younger at the position after Tulloch underwent offseason surgery on his ankle.
The move makes too much sense for Philadelphia at this stage. Tulloch will provide some much needed depth while bringing familiarity of the system and some leadership at the position.
