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The Philadelphia Eagles are signing free agent linebacker L.J. Fort, according to a report from NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank. Roob has the contract details:
The Eagles signed seven-year veteran LB L.J. Fort, who has played for the Browns, Bengals, Seahawks and Steelers, mainly as a backup and special teamer.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) March 14, 2019
Fort got a $875,000 signing bonus and base salaries of $1.025 million in 2019 and $1.5 million in 2020 and 2021.
Additional details here from ESPN:
Steelers ILB L.J. Fort signs a three-year deal with the Eagles that can reach up to $10 million with playing time incentives, according to a source. The deal includes $1.9 million in guarantees. Steelers made efforts to keep him but he had other suitors.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 14, 2019
Bleeding Green Nation has previously mentioned Fort as an Eagles free agent target. Here’s what we wrote about the 29-year-old defender on Wednesday:
Fort is a player that BGN’s Michael Kist has been suggesting for the Eagles. Fort actually started his first career game against Philly all the way back in 2012. The former undrafted free agent had his most productive season in 2018 with 48 tackles, three quarterback hits, and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Fort only has three starts in 61 career games played but maybe he’s ready for a bigger role. PFF graded him 19th out of 96 linebackers in 2018.
In addition to helping on defense, Fort finished fourth on Pittsburgh in special teams tackles last season. He also blocked a field goal attempt. Fort ranked second on the Steelers in special teams tackles in 2017.
The Eagles were in need of linebacker help after losing Jordan Hicks to the Arizona Cardinals. Fort joins Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nathan Gerry, and Paul Worrilow as players who could compete for a starting role next to Nigel Bradham.
This seems like a solid, low-risk signing by the Eagles.
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