NFL Rumors: Should Eagles reunite with recently released defensive back?

Does bringing back a familiar face make sense for the Eagles’ secondary?

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that the Giants have released DB Jalen Mills, making him free to sign with any team.

Source: Giants have released veteran defensive back Jalen Mills, who was on the NFI list with a calf strain. Mills is healthy now and is expected to draw interest.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 15, 2024

Mills, 30, was dealing with a calf strain this summer but is now healthy and, as Schefter noted, is expected to garner interest from multiple teams.

The former seventh-round pick spent the first five years of his career in Philadelphia, where he was a key contributor on defense during the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl run.

Notoriously known for wagging his finger after QBs blatantly overthrew their receivers, Mills’ infectious swagger and confidence made him a fan favorite.

With Mills now on the open market, is a return to Philadelphia in the cards?

The Eagles don’t have any solidified depth at safety behind C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, and Sydney Brown — not to mention Gardner-Johnson and Brown are both currently working through injuries.

The team signed former Broncos safety Caden Sterns to help mitigate this, but he carries injury woes of his own. Mills transitioned to safety during his last season in Philly and lined up everywhere for the Patriots last season.

Jalen Mills Snap Breakdown In 2023

• Free Safety — 159
• Slot CB — 136
• Box — 106
• DL — 31
• CB — 27

Mills has played fairly well in coverage (allowed just one receiving TD in 17 games last year), and he’ll likely give you more than a cross-trained James Bradberry at this juncture.

I say bring the Green Goblin back on a veteran minimum for the sheer entertainment he and C.J. Gardner-Johnson would provide alone.

Across his five seasons with the Eagles, Mills compiled 283 tackles, 40 pass breakups, and five interceptions.

Jalen Mills intercepts CJ Stroud on the opening drive!

📺: #HOUvsNE on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bBFpXewtKp pic.twitter.com/n0mO9fFwYJ

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2023

Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports