The Eagles receive their Super Bowl 59 rings on Friday privately for the penultimate ceremony honoring the historic team. The banner dropping in the season opener on Thursday Night Football against the Cowboys on September 4 will put a symbolic bow on the seven month-long celebrations.
One former Eagle who will not be at the ceremony is Isaiah Rodgers, now with the Minnesota Vikings. The cornerback confirmed last month at DeVonta Smith‘s Celebrity Softball Game that he already received his ring but will forever be indebted to the Eagles.
“That’s one of the teams that revamped my career and bring me back to life,” Rodgers said. “Howie, Big Dom, Jeffrey, everybody in that building knows I wouldn’t be here today without them. Those are my guys. There’s no bad blood.”
The journey
Howie Roseman and the team took a chance on Rodgers and it worked out for both parties.
In late August of 2023, the team signed the cornerback after the Colts released him that June after being suspended indefinitely after violating the league’s gambling policy. During that tough time, Rodgers relied on one of his best friends and Colts’ cornerback, Kenny Moore II.
“Ever since he took me under his wing. He just told me my rookie year you just have to put your head down and get to work. We can talk about anything, not just football,” Rodgers said on his relationship with Moore II.
The rejuvenated Eagles corner put his head down and made sure he was in shape and available to help Philadelphia out whenever his suspension would come to an end. His suspension was lifted in late April the following year, allowing Rodgers to work his way into a role with the Eagles.
The former UMass product filled in admirably when his number was called. He started in place of an injured Darius Slay in Weeks 9 and 13 making his presence felt with eight tackles over those two games. One of his most memorable plays of the season came in Week 12 when he jarred the ball loose from Rams’ running back Kyren Williams that ended a promising opening drive for Los Angeles.
He also made a big play in that wild snow game in the NFC Divisional round, also against the Rams, scooping up the forced fumble by Jalen Carter and taking it 40-yards up filed to help give the Eagles better field position, leading to a Jake Elliott field goal in the fourth quarter.
“To see him prevail and prosper in a situation where your back is against the wall and you’re in a corner you are just trying to fight yourself out. My guy really fought out and to see him really determined to do that, it means more than you will ever know,” Moore said on Rodgers’ success with the Eagles last year.
Moore added: “We were locker buddies. Me and him got a great laugh every single day in the locker room. This is my guy. We always keep in touch with each other.”
Knowing ahead of time
The two enjoyed a dinner the night before the Super Bowl in New Orleans. During the meal, Moore II shared his gut-feeling on how the big game was going to go.
“We went out to eat and he [Moore II] was like my brother is about to be a Super Bowl Champion! He already kind of claimed it,” Rodgers said laughing alongside Moore II.
For Rodgers, it took him a little longer to have that premonition. He knew his destiny with 2:40 left in the third quarter in Super Bowl LIX.
“The Dagger by Smitty. That’s probably the moment when I said yeah, we are Super Bowl Champs,” Rodgers said smiling remembering the iconic play.
Rodgers, like many others on both Super Bowl winning teams were integral to the team’s success. Filling holes when needed, providing quality depth. That is part of the formula to becoming a championship team. So is becoming a cohesive unit.
“Looking back at how we won last year, I think it was off the field that helped us win,” Rodgers said. “As a team we were bought in on and off the field. A lot of teams just show up on Sundays and play, but I think in this league you have to understand this guy is my brother. He’s going to make this play and I’m going to make this play because we trust each other. It was more so the bond we had off the field that led us to get that big ring.”
Now an opponent
Rodgers signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Vikings in the offseason. Signing elsewhere was not an easy decision for the 27-year-old.
“It was hard, but things happen in this business. It was a smooth process with the Eagles, but at end of the day you have to do what’s best for your family and make that decision,” Rodgers said.
The Vikings host the Eagles in Week 7, Rodgers said he has it marked down on his calendar. As for not being at the ring ceremony later this week, Rodgers was asked if he will travel to be in attendance for the banner drop instead when the NFL season kicks off.
“I’ll be watching on TV. I don’t have no plans on doing that,” the former Eagles CB said with a smile.
Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
