Former Eagles linebacker visits with the Atlanta Falcons

Per the NFL’s transaction wire, free agent and former Eagles linebacker Genard Avery visited the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday. Following the signing of Haason Reddick, Avery was left as the odd man out following a below-average 2021 season.

The Eagles moved Avery from the defensive line to outside linebacker this past season, which wasn’t the best fit. Jonathan Gannon placed him on the line-of-scrimmage as a standup Sam/Will in a 3-4 hybrid defense. Avery won the starting role quickly due to the lack of any other players on the team capable of playing that position.

Recording just 30 tackles and one sack over 17 games, it was clear Philadelphia needed an upgrade.

Avery isn’t a bad player, and it was his first season at a new position in the NFL. He’s not a starting-caliber player, but an opportunity with a team like Atlanta is the perfect situation to develop.

The Eagles acquired Avery from the Cleveland Browns in 2019 in exchange for a 2021 4th-round draft pick. Between their tight salary cap situation alongside a need to bring back other key players like Rodney McLeod and Steven Nelson, bringing him back never made much sense.

Several other Eagles departed the team this offseason, most notably Alex Singleton, who signed a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos.

Idk why the Eagles ever traded a 4th-round kick for Genard Avery. pic.twitter.com/cO7vXbZYBa

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) September 13, 2021

Mandatory Credit: The Athletic