After sitting on the open market for nearly five months, former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman has a new NFL team. The veteran nickel defender signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Monday evening.
Eagles fans certainly aren’t sad to see him move on. Here’s what we wrote about NRC following his disappointing 2020 season:
REVIEW: Remember when the Eagles told ESPN they felt like they got a top-five slot corner by signing NRC? Yeah, well, they didn’t. NRC didn’t look good in coverage (124.2 passer rating when targeted) and he finished the season tied for the 12th most missed tackles (12) at his position. NRC’s effort was drawn into question when it looked like he was dogging it during Daniel Jones’ memorable long run against Philly in Week 7. Just an overall bad season from the veteran nickel defender.
OUTLOOK: The Eagles shouldn’t re-sign this 29-year-old who’s on pace to be on his fourth team in six seasons. Gotta aim to get younger and better in the slot.
Only three Eagles players finished with a lower “Stay” vote percentage in our polling. Those were Jason Peters (still unsigned) at 3%, Alshon Jeffery (still unsigned) at 4%, and Nathan Gerry (still unsigned) at 6%.
With NRC going unsigned for so long, one couldn’t help but wonder if he was simply done in the NFL. But Lions general manager Brad Holmes, who previously overlapped with NRC on the Los Angeles Rams, is giving him another chance.
Assuming NRC finds a way to stick on Detroit’s roster, which isn’t a given, he’ll meet his most recent former team when the Eagles and Lions play at Ford Field in Week 8. Jalen Hurts might want to consider throwing to whomever NRC is “covering.”
Eagles 2021 free agents update
STAYING
TE Richard Rodgers — Re-signs 1-year contract
DT Hassan Ridgeway — Re-signs 1-year contract
LB Alex Singleton — Re-signs 1-year ERFA tender
WR Greg Ward — Re-signs 1-year ERFA tender
RB Boston Scott — Re-signs 1-year ERFA tender
GOING
S Jalen Mills — Signs 4-year, $24 million contract with the New England Patriots
P Cameron Johnston — Signs 3-year, $8 million contract with the Houston Texans
S Rudy Ford — Signs 2-year, $4.1 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars
DE Vinny Curry — Signs 1-year, $1.3 million contract with the New York Jets
LB Duke Riley — Signs 1-year contract with the Miami Dolphins
QB Nate Sudfeld — Signs 1-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers
RB Corey Clement — Signs 1-year contract with the New York Giants
CB Cre’Von LeBlanc — Signs 1-year contract with the Miami Dolphins
TE Josh Perkins — Signs 1-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman — Signs 1-year contract with the Detroit Lions
UNSIGNED
LB Nathan Gerry — Waived by 49ers after originally signing 1-year contract
OT Jason Peters