Eagles sign a safety that used to be on their roster, cut a linebacker

The Philadelphia Eagles waived linebacker B.J. Bello and signed free agent safety Trae Elston, according to an official announcement from the team.

The Eagles originally signed Bello to their practice squad in October 2018. They then promoted him to their active roster in December 2018. He mostly contributed as a special teams player.

You may not realize that this isn’t the first time the Eagles have acquired Elston. Philadelphia claimed him off waivers back in September 2017. The Eagles were dealing with a number of safety injuries at the time. Elston only appeared in one game with the Eagles before being cut 10 days after he was originally claimed.

Elston, who turned 25 earlier this year, has been a free agent ever since the Miami Dolphins cut him. So he hasn’t exactly been a hot commodity. Elston has played in 14 career games with one start. He’s logged 15 total tackles, one interception, and one pass defensed in that span.

The Eagles are light on practice bodies at the safety position with Malcolm Jenkins skipping voluntary OTAs and Rodney McLeod not healthy enough to participate in team drills. Signing Elston gives the Eagles a guy who can help fill reps. As a bonus, he already has some kind of familiarity with the team’s scheme.

It’s a little interesting the Elston signing comes one day after the news that Philadelphia worked out free agent safety Johnathan Cyprien. It’s not like the Eagles would think Elston is a better player than the much more established Cyprien. But with Cyprien seemingly leaving Philly without a contract, the Eagles wanted to get a body in for practice.

The last time the Eagles had Trae Elston on their roster, they won a Super Bowl that season. I’m guessing he didn’t receive a Super Bowl ring but he ultimately was part of that team!

I think it’s safe to say Philadelphia is winning Super Bowl LIV.