The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent linebacker Stephen Tulloch, according to a report from Pro Football Talk. Mike Florio reports the deal is worth up to $3 million, with $1.75 million fully guaranteed.
This signing was expected for a long time. Earlier this month, it was reported Tulloch and the Eagles had entered "heavy negotiations." Things stayed quiet for a while after that but the recent season-ending injury suffered by Eagles rookie Joe Walker created more need for linebacker depth.
Tulloch, 31, has started 111 games during his 10-season career. A number of those starts came while playing under current Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Schwartz praised Tulloch when asked about the veteran linebacker earlier this month.
"I got a lot of background with Steve," he said. "I was with Tennessee when we drafted him; [he] ended up being starting middle linebacker for us there. When I was head coach in Detroit, we brought him up there. I have a lot of respect for that guy and his production."
It remains to be seen exactly how Tulloch fits in with the Eagles. Second-year talent Jordan Hicks is currently projected to start at the middle linebacker position. Will Tulloch be a backup to Hicks? The price of his contract seems to suggest otherwise. Will the Eagles move Hicks outside and start Tulloch in the middle? Only time will tell, but at the very least the Eagles have added some veteran experience to a thin linebacker corps.