Haloti Ngata, Eagles reportedly agree to terms on contract

The Philadelphia Eagles intend to sign free agent defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to a one-year contract, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Bleeding Green Nation mentioned Ngata as a potential free agent target earlier this month.

Ngata was the No. 12 overall pick by the Ravens in 2006. He played in Baltimore through 2014, so he spent a lot of time with Douglas there. Ngata turned 34 in January and he’s coming off a season-ending biceps injury. He said he wants to stay in Detroit but we’ll see how that goes with the Lions having a new coaching staff. Ngata might be too costly; his cap number was $7.7 million last year. If he’s willing to play for cheap as he chases another Super Bowl ring, he’d be a great No. 3 defensive tackle to rotate with Fletcher Cox and Tim Jernigan. The Eagles will have a need at backup DT if Beau Allen isn’t retained.

There was ... Ngata chance I wasn’t going to brag about calling it. (*booing intensifies*)

Seriously, though, this deal makes sense for the Eagles. With Allen expected to leave in free agency, Philadelphia needed to add someone to help replace him. Allen played 41% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in 2017.

The 6-4, 345 pound Ngata doesn’t offer a ton as a pass rusher but he’s still one of the better run-stuffing defensive tackles in the league. Detroit’s run defense noticeably suffered when he got hurt last season.

Signing Ngata is just another reminder that the Eagles REALLY intend on building through the trenches. Here’s an updated look at the defensive line depth chart:

Defensive end - Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry*, Michael Bennett, Derek Barnett, Chris Long, Steven Means

Defensive tackle - Fletcher Cox, Tim Jernigan, Haloti Ngata, Destiny Vaeao, Elijah Qualls

Whew. That’s a lot of talent and depth.

UPDATE: Do we have another Frank Gore situation on our hands here?!