Super Bowl 2019: Eagles connections to the Rams and Patriots

Super Bowl LIII is this weekend and, really, who cares? The most important Super Bowl of all time actually took place last year, when the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots by a final score of 41 to 33.

But if you’re still interested in this year’s “big game” for some inexplicable reason, here’s a look at some Eagles connections to the teams playing this year.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

JOHN JOHNSON III - SAFETY

Let’s lead things off with a man I’d like to consider an honorary Eagle. In case you missed it, Johnson said he trolled the Saints in the NFC Championship Game because he didn’t like how New Orleans taunted some of his friends on the Eagles’ roster. Respect.

BLAKE COUNTESS - SAFETY

The Eagles selected Countess with a sixth-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Countess got waived by Philadelphia during final cuts but he signed to the Rams’ practice squad and was eventually promoted to LA’s active roster. In three seasons with the Rams, Countess has made four starts over 37 games played. He’s logged 44 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack. He also returned 17 kickoffs for the Rams in 2018.

ZAC TAYLOR - QUARTERBACKS COACH

Zac is the older brother of Eagles quarterbacks coach Press Taylor. Zac has reportedly been hired as the Bengals’ new head coach. There’s some speculation that Zac might try to hire Press away from Philly.

AARON NEARY - CENTER (PRACTICE SQUAD)

The Eagles signed Neary to their practice squad in September 2016. He remained with the team up until Philly waived him in final cuts prior to the 2017 season. The Rams claimed Neary on waivers from the Eagles. He currently resides on the Los Angeles practice squad.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

PATRICK CHUNG - SAFETY

The Eagles signed Chung as a free agent back in 2013. He had a pretty awful one-season stint in Philly before ending up back with the Pats. He’s only missed two games since returning to New England.

SONY MICHEL - RUNNING BACK

There was some buzz that the Eagles were interested in selecting Michel at No. 32 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Eagles never had the chance, however, as the Patriots took him at No. 31. But that’s not why I’m listing Michel here. He counts as an Eagles connection because his brother, wide receiver Marken Michel, recently signed a reserve/future contract with Philly.

JOMAL WILTZ - CORNERBACK (PRACTICE SQUAD)

The Eagles signed Wiltz as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2017. Philadelphia waived him in final cuts and the Patriots have been keeping him around as a practice squad guy ever since.

ERIC ROWE - CORNERBACK (INJURED RESERVE)

The outrage over the Eagles trading Rowe to the Patriots feels like forever ago. Philadelphia’s 2015 second-round pick only played in four games this season before having to be placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. Rowe is set to be a free agent in March.

You may also remember Rowe from him getting Moss’d by Alshon Jeffery in last year’s Super Bowl. (Pictured above this article.)