Haloti Ngata, Eagles OFFICIALLY sign one-year contract

The Philadelphia Eagles are OFFICIALLY signing defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to a one-year contract, according to an announcement from the team.

The Ngata signing was first reported on Tuesday but it sounded like there was at least a small chance he could end up staying with the Detroit Lions instead.

Ngata reportedly wanted to visit Philly before officially signing so that’s what took place on Thursday. And now he’s officially an Eagle.

Ngata’s one-year contract is reportedly worth up to $3 million. It remains to be seen how much is guaranteed.

Signing Ngata gives the Eagles a new primary backup defensive tackle behind starters Fletcher Cox and Tim Jernigan. The Eagles lost their old No. 3 DT in free agency on Wednesday when Beau Allen signed a three-year contract worth up to $16.5 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Allen played 41% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in his final season with the Birds.

The Eagles had the best run defense in the NFL in 2017. Jim Schwartz’s unit only allowed 80.8 rush yards per game. Adding a quality run-stuffer like Ngata only makes the Eagles even better.

Here’s an updated look at the Eagles’ defensive line. Keep in mind that Philly likes to heavily rotate their players and some of the ends play inside and some of the tackles occasionally play outside.

First string: Michael Bennett - Tim Jernigan - Fletcher Cox - Brandon Graham

Second string: Derek Barnett - Haloti Ngata - Destiny Vaeao - Chris Long

Third string: Vinny Curry* - Elijah Qualls - Aziz Shittu - Steven Means

*I’m putting Curry on the third string because his future is uncertain and the Eagles might trade or cut him.