Birds re-sign recovering corner Darby
The Eagles traded a starting receiver and a third-round draft pick to obtain Ronald Darby in the summer of their Super Bowl title season after it was clear they had incorrectly evaluated the rest of their cornerbacks.
They still need him, even with a knee injury that may prevent him from being ready for the first month of the 2019 season.
The Eagles announced Friday they’d agreed to terms with Darby on a oneyear contract worth $8.5 million, per reports.
The Birds had dealt receiver Jordan Matthews and a third-round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills for the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Darby, who dislocated an ankle in the first month of the 2017 season but contributed down the stretch.
One of Darby’s biggest plays was a block that sprung teammate Patrick Robinson for a 50-yard pick six that totally changed the momentum of the NFC championship game with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings were driving toward a second score when Robinson intercepted Case Keenum and picked up a devastating backside block from Darby to score, shaking Lincoln Financial Field at the foundation. The Vikings wound up being routed.
Last year Darby blew an ACL in November and missed the rest of the season.
With cornerback Jalen Mills coming back from foot surgery and Sidney Jones hampered by hamstring issues, in addition to underachieving, it would surprise no one if the Eagles added another quarterback.
Though Darby was the 18th rated free agent by NFL.com, the only team that wanted him was the Eagles – and for one year. Darby didn’t get a contract from the cornerback-desperate Kansas City Chiefs, who he also visited.
Darby has six interceptions in four seasons.