It took some time, however Isaac Seumalo lastly has a brand new dwelling.
Seumalo, one among solely a handful of gamers remaining from the 2016 Eagles, signed a three-year contract with the Steelers, in line with NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
The Eagles have been by no means concerned in talks with Seumalo, who began 60 video games for the Eagles and is one among solely seven gamers to play in each the 2017 and 2022 Super Bowls.
When wholesome, Seumalo is an excellent participant, however accidents derailed his 2020 and 2021 seasons, when he was restricted to a complete of simply 12 video games. He bounced again to begin all 20 video games this 12 months and performed at a really excessive stage.
With the Eagles’ 2022 second-round decide Cam Jurgens ready within the wings to take over at both heart or proper guard, relying on what Jason Kelce did together with Seumalo’s anticipated massive contract, and the Eagles’ cap points, there was by no means an opportunity Seumalo can be again for an eighth 12 months with the Eagles.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Sunday afternoon the deal is price million over three years. The million common is nicely beneath the million annual determine Spotrac projected for Seumalo and makes him the Nineteenth-highest-paid guard within the NFL in 2023, for now.
Former Ravens guard Ben Powers obtained .875 million per 12 months over 4 years from the Broncos, and Nate Davis of the Titans obtained million per 12 months over three years, so Seumalo’s deal is third-highest amongst guards up to now in free company.
But Seumalo is superb. Pro Football Focus ranked him tenth of 79 guards who performed a minimum of 300 snaps this previous 12 months with a 72.7 grade.
Seumalo was initially the Eagles’ third-round decide in 2016. He started the 2017 Super Bowl season because the beginning left guard however misplaced his job to Stefen Wisniewski 4 video games into the season and spent the remainder of the 12 months as a backup.
He regained the job halfway by the 2018 season and remained there by 2021. After Landon Dickerson blossomed in 2021 at left guard whereas Seumalo was out, Seumalo switched this 12 months to proper guard and performed nicely whereas Dickerson made the Pro Bowl in his second 12 months as a starter.
Seumalo’s 60 begins at guard are eighth-most in Eagles historical past, behind Ron Baker (106), Todd Herremans (96), Jim Skaggs (77), Wade Key (74), Jermane Mayberry (74), Mark Nordquist (65), Brandon Brooks (64) and Steve Kenney (63).
With Dickerson – who turns 25 in September – and Jurgens – who turns 24 in August – the Eagles can have their youngest pair of full-time beginning guards since 2006, when Herremans and Shawn Andrews have been each 24.
With Seumalo leaving for Pittsburgh, solely seven gamers stay on the roster from the 2017 Super Bowl season: Jason Kelce, Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox, who all signed one-year contracts final week, in addition to Lane Johnson, Derek Barnett and specialists Jake Elliott and Rick Lovato.
In addition to starters Dickerson and Jurgens, the Eagles have Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta on the roster as skilled backups. Driscoll has began 16 video games, and Opeta has began 5.
In Pittsburgh, Seumalo rejoins guard Nate Herbig, his teammate with the Eagles from 2019 by 2021. Herbig spent final 12 months with the Jets. Both grew to become Eagles through the Eagles entrance workplace tenure of present Steelers assistant basic supervisor Andy Weidl.
The Eagles have now misplaced six starters from the 2022 NFC Champions – Javon Hargrave (49ers), T.J. Edwards (Bears), Marcus Epps (Raiders), Kyzir White (Cards), Miles Sanders (Panthers) and Seumalo (Steelers) in addition to backups Gardner Minshew (Colts) and Andre Dillard (Titans).
They’ve signed Kelce, Cox and Graham, in addition to James Bradberry, Boston Scott, Rashaad Penny, Greedy Williams and Marcus Mariota.
