After three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is about to become a free agent. According to at least one observer, he will sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson compiled a list of predictions on the offseason actions of every NFL franchise. Robinson has Awuzie signed by the Eagles.
The cornerback position for the Eagles was a disaster in 2023, and general manager Howie Roseman will need to make some choices this offseason. Robinson stated, “Darius Slay is expected to make a comeback, although James Bradberry may be considered for a release after June 1st.
In any case, Philadelphia has to bolster its secondary after being in the bottom five for pass defensive effectiveness. As late as 2021, Chidobe Awuzie was a genuine CB1; despite slowing down over the next two years due to an ACL tear, he is still only 28 years old. The Eagles may consider Awuzie if they’re searching for possible excess value.
Awuzie, a 2017 second-round selection of the Dallas Cowboys out of Colorado, played his first four seasons in Dallas. During that time, he appeared in 49 games (42 starts) with the Cowboys until agreeing to a new contract with Cincinnati in 2021.
He had an extremely successful first year with the Bengals. Awuzie participated in 14 games (all starts) and recorded 64 total tackles, including a career-high 4 for loss, 14 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, he participated in 518 covering plays in 2021 and gave up 53 receptions on 93 targets.
That year, he had an extremely high 84.2 coverage rating from PFF and made several plays that were eye-opening. Before he tore his ACL halfway through the 2022 season, Awuzie was playing quite well for Cincinnati. Take a look at this catch he made against the Los Angeles Chargers late in the season.
He gave up a pitiful 42% completion percentage on balls thrown his way in the first eight games of 2022. Before getting hurt, he gave up just 20 yards after the catch in total.
Although Awuzie’s injured ACL did hinder his play early in the season, he healed sufficiently to participate in 15 games in 2023 (10 starts). In all, he had 57 tackles, including two for loss, six pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
This summer, the Eagles must make some significant choices at a number of positions. For the most of the 2023 regular season and into their lone playoff loss, their secondary was a leaky disaster.
Last season, Philadelphia’s defense gave up more than 252 yards a game through the air, which was the second-to-last in the NFL. The secondary’s 32 touchdowns allowed also placed them 31st in the league. The Eagles also had a 25th-ranked total of just 9 interceptions last season.
James Bradberry, a seasoned cornerback, is expected to lose his cap position, therefore Awuzie would be a good value substitute. Naturally, he would have to be in perfect health.
The Eagles must make a tough choice on Bradberry. Here’s a great financial analysis by Philly Sports Neywork if the Eagles decide to cut Bradberry after June 1:
Whether he is cut today or not, James Bradberry will count against the cap in 2025 and 2026 for $7.9 million in dead money. Therefore, the Eagles’ only decision to make is whether it will be worthwhile to let go of James after June 1st (and to pay him $4.3M) in order to make room for another player.
Awuzie’s expected contract, if Philly moves on from Bradberry, is a two-year agreement worth $21 million ($12.5 guaranteed), according to PFF. Given the latest injury concerns, he could even command less. The cornerback position appears to be limited for the Eagles (top corner Jaylon Johnson is likely to remain in Chicago), and there may not be many compelling possibilities available. Among their finest choices may be Awuzie.
