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I’m willing to guess more than a few people didn’t really know much about the linebacker the Philadelphia Eagles waived on Tuesday in order to make room on the roster to sign free agent defensive tackle Willie Henry.
Apparently, the NFL thinks more highly of Joe Bachie than most of us realized. Because after the Eagles waived him, multiple teams were reportedly interested in adding the 2020 undrafted rookie free agent to their roster. Bachie ultimately ended up being claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Heard a few teams were hovering so wouldn’t be surprised if he had multiple claims. https://t.co/Xvm86ZKT1c
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) May 26, 2021
The Bengals were notably third overall in the waiver wire claim, which mirrors the 2021 NFL Draft order. And it sounds like at least two other teams might’ve put a claim in. Or at least would’ve been willing to sign him if he cleared waivers.
Will the Eagles rue the day they decided to waive Bachie?
Yes. Without question.
Seriously, though? No. Probably not.
Still, as we said on Tuesday:
Bachie figured to be a long shot to make the 2021 roster. Might’ve been worth a look to see what the 23-year-old could’ve done in the offseason, though. He might have more upside than [27-year-old] Henry, [who hasn’t seriously played in a game since 2018].
The Eagles added Henry (and departed with Bachie) at least in part because they needed to fill reps for their spring practices. Fletcher Cox isn’t attending voluntary sessions and both Raequan Williams and Marlon Tuipulotu are nursing injuries.
Is adding an extra practice body at the expense of a player who possesses theoretical upside at a position of need worth the move? Maybe! Or maybe not.
Just make sure you remember this blog post when Bachie is making his Hall of Fame speech in Canton one day.
Also, make sure you never bring it up to me again in the likely event the Eagles waiving Bachie ends up being meaningless!