So what effect will Kerrigan have in 2021?
One way to look at the Eagles’ surprising move to acquire veteran edge rusher Ryan Kerrigan late in free agency is that at least he can’t sack their quarterbacks anymore.
The 32-year-old former outside linebacker in the Washington Football Team’s 3-4 defense will turn 33 in August and play defensive end in the Eagles’ 4-3. He brings a resume that includes 95.5 sacks in a 10-year career in which he played the Eagles twice per season and always inflicted some kind of major damage.
Kerrigan was a thorn in Philadelphia’s backside for an entire decade, with 13.5 of his career sacks coming against them.
They’ve not only eliminated that trend but are hoping he will be able to help as a rotational piece on the edge along with Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat.
Kerrigan chose the Eagles over the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, according to reports, after being heavily recruited by Eagles players and coaches alike. Graham and fellow defensive lineman Fletcher Cox are among those who issued sales pitches before he even heard from the powers that be, who closed the deal.
“The energy in the building, it’s hard to put a finger on it, but the energy in the building was just so positive, so good,” Kerrigan said in his introductory press conference. “From Coach Sirianni to Coach [Jonathan] Gannon [the defensive coordinator], to Coach [Tracy] Rocker [defensive line], you felt a good, positive sense of energy here. That was something that was really intriguing.
“And also talking through some film and talking ball with the coaching staff, I feel like they’re going to put us in positions to succeed defensively. So that was something I was excited about.”
Playing defensive end after mostly playing linebacker will not be a problem, Kerrigan insists.
“My expectations are just that Coach Gannon knows ball,” he said. “He knows his personnel. I feel like he’s going to put us in positions that are conducive for us to be successful.
“I am fortunate enough to have had a lot of experience as a 3-4 backer. I’ve also had a lot of experience as a 4-3 defensive end ... whether back in college or this past season in Washington. I feel like, no matter what the role is, I feel like I’m going to feel comfortable doing it. When you’re on the line of scrimmage, you’re still doing most of the same things. It just might be in a different way.”
Kerrigan has not only been extremely consistent but durable. He’s missed just four games in his career.
Last year, despite being limited by the new coaching staff to a career-low 38% of the defensive snaps, he still came through with 5.5 sacks.
“I wanted to get Ryan here a lot,” Gannon said. “The number one reason is the person that he is. We have a very good, strong locker room of really good character guys, I feel, and the pieces that we added, him being one of those pieces, the first thing that Nick and I talked about with [general manager] Howie [Roseman] was we want to bring really high-character guys in here, whoever that be, whether that be draft picks or coaches or free agents. So that was appealing to us about Ryan because of the type of person he is.
“I guess I recruited him a little bit maybe at dinner. It was probably more the head coach. But super excited, the versatility that he brings and the production that he brings. He’s got, what, 95, 96, 97 sacks, I think, in his career? He’s a hard guy to block. He’s extremely intelligent. I’m looking forward to getting our hands on him and working with him.”
And to have him stop sacking Eagles quarterbacks.