The Philadelphia Eagles wasted no time shaking things up in the post-Chip Kelly era and kept the defensive transformation rolling on Wednesday by agreeing to a five-year, $37 million deal with former Los Angeles Rams safety Rodney McLeod, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Eagles keep transforming defense by signing Rodney McLeod to $37 million deal
McLeod will be paired with Malcolm Jenkins in the defensive backfield as the Eagles continue a rebuilding effort.
Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images
The Eagles confirmed the signing shortly after the new league year began.
McLeod, who turns 26 in June, was undrafted in 2012, but stepped into the starting lineup for the Rams in 2013 and started 48 consecutive games over the last three years. While another young safety (George Iloka of the Cincinnati Bengals) drew a lot of attention leading up to free agency, McLeod's contract of $7.4 million per year actually exceeds the $6 million per year that Iloka received from the Bengals.
While McLeod flew under the radar heading into free agency, Pro Football Focus listed him as the 20th best free agent on the market and said that he “has seen his grades versus the run and pass improve every single year.”
The Eagles already locked up Malcolm Jenkins to a four-year, $35 million deal in February and now pair him with McLeod. After finishing 7-9 and No. 30 in total defense, Eagles executive vice president Howie Roseman has made several moves to nullify the transactions orchestrated by Kelly last year, including trading both cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso to the Miami Dolphins just prior to free agency.
McLeod has five career interceptions with 18 passes defended, seven forced fumbles and 184 tackles.
See More:
