NFL Free Agency Rumors: Eagles could have interest in Marcus Gilchrist

The Eagles went hard after Devin McCourty and came up short. The would-be free agent safety decided to take less money to return to New England. So what will Philadelphia do now to address their need for a new safety?

According to both Jeff McLane and Geoff Mosher, Marcus Gilchrist is a name to watch. The 5-10, 198 pound safety is scheduled to hit the market if the Chargers do not sign him before the start of free agency on Tuesday.

Gilchrist was originally drafted by San Diego in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He attended Clemson and played at cornerback during college. Perhaps Gilchrist would have interest in reuniting with his former Tigers teammate and now-Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell.

The 26-year-old Gilchrist has made 40 starts in 62 career appearances. 32 of those starters came in the past two seasons. He's recorded a total of five interceptions, 16 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, three sacks, and 193 tackles in his four-year career.

For what it's worth, Chargers fans aren't all that high on Gilchrist. Here's a quick blurb on him from our friends over at Bolts from the Blue:

"Marcus Gilchrist is another guy that's limited and shouldn't be playing starter snaps. It's not versatile if you're not good at both spots, and he isn't. He's not a sure tackler, not as aggressive as he should be, doesn't cover like a corner and doesn't hit like a safety. Another guy that can be replaced."