In one of the more surprising moves in recent memory, the Eagles are reportedly set to move on from LB Zach Brown, just six games into his career as an Eagle.
This, of course, comes just one day after a 38-20 thumping from the Vikings. A game where Brown went out of his way to call out former teammate Kirk Cousins before conceding over 300 passing yards and 4 passing touchdowns. Big yikes.
But with Nigel Bradham now on the injury report and depth already thin, this is concerning.
Zach Brown has been one of the most dependable linebackers against the run dating back to his time in Tennessee. According to PFF, coming into this year, he had made the third-most defensive stops against the run over the last three seasons. He also had claim to the 11th best run-stop percentage and the 8th best run defense grade over that time. 2018 was more of the same for Brown, finishing the season with an 84.1 run-stopping grade.
Last season was particularly explosive for Brown, who amassed 96 tackles, just one year after leading the entire league in that category before missing the last three games due to injury.
Brown signed a 1-year deal with the Eagles, worth $1.5M. He ranks third on the team in tackles through six weeks. It does seem like a very odd move considering how efficient he’s been against the run, an area where the Eagles lead the league in.
Kamu Grugier-Hill’s return to health and a rise in production from Nate Gerry may have tilted the scales here, but it will also open up the doors to preseason heroes Alex Singleton and T.J Edwards, both of whom currently reside on the practice squad.
It’s probably a little premature to assume why Brown was released or what the Eagles plan to do next, but they do have two young candidates to step up behind KGH and Gerry if needed.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
