Following significant changes, such as the retirements of Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce, the Philadelphia Eagles are working diligently to rebuild their roster and maintain their rich history. As of late, the team has made some notable moves, such as securing the services of key players like Jake Elliott, who has been rewarded with a lucrative contract extension, and Saquon Barkley, who was acquired from the New York Giants.
Despite the Eagles’ general manager openly acknowledging James Bradberry’s underwhelming performance in the 2023 season, it appears that the team is still committed to the cornerback.
Eagles GM discusses James Bradberry’s performances
During the NFL’s annual league meetings in Orlando this week, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman openly discussed cornerback James Bradberry’s performance during the past season, acknowledging it fell short of expectations.
“I think it’s obvious to everyone, including JB, that JB didn’t have the year that he was expecting and that we were expecting.”
Nevertheless, the Eagles general manager soon shared his utmost faith in the cornerback’s fierce comeback in the upcoming season.
“ I think, obviously, he understands that and he is driven to show that he is the player that he was in 2022,” Roseman said.
The frustration arises from Bradberry’s disappointing performance following the Eagles’ significant investment in him through a lucrative three-year, $38 million contract in 2023.
However, the deal was logical at the time, given Bradberry’s outstanding performance in the 2022 season. He was a key player in the league’s top-ranked passing defense, leading all teams in fewest passing yards allowed per game (179.8).
Throughout that impressive season, he made 44 tackles, three interceptions (including a pick-six), and 17 passes defensed without ever sitting out a game.
Furthermore, Bradberry’s presence on the Eagles’ defensive unit greatly enhanced their coverage abilities. The team’s pass rushers were able to accumulate an impressive 70.0 sacks, coming close to the all-time regular-season record set by the 1984 Chicago Bears.
James Bradberry’s 2023 NFL season stats
During the 2023 NFL season, James Bradberry’s performance on the field was closely analyzed, yielding a range of outcomes. His performance throughout the season was a bit up and down, with 43 solo tackles, which placed him 56th in the league, and only one interception. He ranked 42nd in that category.
Bradberry allowed 56 receptions despite facing the seventh-highest number of targets among cornerbacks, with 95. The stat let him tie for 15th in the league among cornerbacks with at least 20% of the league’s highest volume, per PFF.
These numbers contributed to an overall player grade of 56.6, indicating room for improvement in his performance in the upcoming season.
