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Nolan Carroll will be back with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, according to an official announcement from the team. The one-year contract is reportedly worth $2.36 million and can be worth up to $3 million. CSN Philly's Derrick Gunn was first to report the Carroll re-signing.
#Eagles and CB Nolan Carroll agree to terms on a one-year contract. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/mikVRMawUZ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 15, 2016
It was recently reported that the Eagles were still in play for Carroll despite him entering free agency and having a visit the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles showed interest in keeping Carroll before the new league year started but the two sides weren't close to agreeing on a new contract. Philadelphia opted not to bet against themselves to keep Carroll and instead let the open market decide his value.
The Eagles needed more depth at cornerback after trading Byron Maxwell to the Dolphins. Carroll is now in line to be a starter again for the 2016 season. It remains to be seen if the recent additions of Leodis McKelvin and/or Ron Brooks will push him for playing time. Second-year defensive back Eric Rowe is expected to be the other starter at outside cornerback.
Carroll's season ended early last year when he suffered a broken ankle on Thanksgiving. He's been posting a lot of videos on social media showing his recovery progress. The 29-year-old is reportedly "85% healthy" but plans on being ready to participate in OTAs.
Here's what we wrote about Carroll's performance in 2015.
Numbers: 771 snaps, 2 interceptions, 1 defensive touchdown, 10 passes defensed, 41 tackles
Review: Eagles players and coaches alike raved about how Carroll had the best 2015 offseason of any player. Carroll beat out Rowe for a starting cornerback job and started 12 games before going down with a season-ending injury on Thanksgiving. Carroll wasn't great by any means but he wasn't a total liability either. He was the team's best cornerback when Maxwell was going through some early struggles. Carroll is a reasonably effective starter given his inexpensive cost. You could do better than him, sure, but you could also do worse.
Ultimately, Carroll returning on a one year deal seems to work out best for both sides. The Eagles get their short-term answer at cornerback while Carroll gets the chance to test the market once again next offseason.