Patrick Robinson leaves Eagles to sign with Saints

Patrick Robinson isn’t returning to the Eagles in 2018 after all. Philadelphia’s nickel cornerback is signing a four-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, according to a report from Ian Rapoport.

The contract is reportedly worth up to $20 million with $10 million guaranteed.

Earlier this week, Rapoport said Robinson was likely to re-sign in Philly before the legal tampering period began. That obviously didn’t happen. Rapoport reports negotiations with Philadelphia stalled and that opened up an opportunity for the Saints to bring him back to where his career started as a first-round pick in 2010.

Losing Robinson isn’t ideal for the Eagles. He was their best option in the slot and he also provided nice depth at outside corner.

At the same time, investing money in a 31-year-old player with an injury history wasn’t a slam dunk. There’s obviously risk when it comes to paying a player coming off an uncharacteristically good season. Philadelphia is also tight on cap space and the decision could’ve come down to re-signing Robinson versus Nigel Bradham. If that was the case, I think a lot of people would agree Bradham is the right choice.

The Eagles will have to determine which of their young cornerbacks will move into the nickel role. It could be Jalen Mills who gets playing time there. One under-the-radar name to keep an eye on is D.J. Killings.

The upside to this deal for the Eagles is that it should help them with their compensatory pick formula. And to his credit, Robinson deserves this pay day. He signed a veteran minimum deal with the Eagles last offseason before turning in a career season in 2017. He was one of Philly’s best defenders on a Super Bowl championship team.

So long, P-Rob. Eagles fans salute you for your contributions to bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Philly.

The Eagles will directly face off against Robinson in 2018 when they play the Saints in New Orleans.

UPDATE: Interesting note here from ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

I’m told that Patrick Robinson’s new deal with the Saints will be for four years, $20 million with $10 million guaranteed, $8 million in the first year with $2 million due on the third day of the league year in 2019 (for injury). The Eagles actually offered more money overall but the Saints offered more guaranteed.

Of course, guaranteed money is really what matters most in a contract offer. This confirms the Eagles did indeed have some interest in bringing Robinson back, though.