Eagles Sign Two Familiar Faces To Add Offensive Depth
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman remains hard at work as he continues to fill holes on the team’s roster ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Eagles reportedly made two additions on offense on Tuesday, as Philadelphia reportedly signed offensive tackle Fred Johnson and wide receiver Elijah Moore.
Johnson is no stranger to Philadelphia as he served as the team’s swing tackle in each of the last two seasons. While Moore has yet to suit up for the Eagles, he has multiple connections to the team and could play an important role in Philadelphia, both on and off the field. Here are my thoughts on both signings and what it all means for the Eagles going forward.
The Return of Big Fred
Despite the return of Lane Johnson, the Eagles still had a massive hole at swing tackle. Fred Johnson has filled that role in each of the last two seasons and he will now return to do so in 2026. While “Big Fred” likely spoke to other teams around the league in search of any potential opportunities to start, he ultimately returned to Philadelphia on a one-year deal.
Both sides attempted to go their separate ways last offseason, as Johnson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Eagles signed veteran swing tackle Kendall Lamm. Yet neither move went according to plan and Philadelphia ultimately re-acquired Johnson in a trade. Now they’ll run it back again as the Eagles add some much-needed depth ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The return of both Johnson’s certainly helps Philadelphia’s offensive tackle situation next season, yet there are still questions in 2027 and beyond. The Eagles should still prioritize finding Lane Johnson’s eventual replacement during the first two days of next month’s event. Roseman has always focused on building through the trenches and he shouldn’t deviate from that plan following the return of “Big Fred.”
The City of (Almost) Brotherly Love
Elijah Moore hasn’t played for the Eagles yet, but he has multiple connections at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. Moore and Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown are close friends that played together at Ole Miss. In an ESPN story in 2022, Moore called his bond with Brown more than a friendship, “it’s family,” he said.
Brown has credited Moore with getting him through his battles with depression in the past. Given Brown’s uncertain future in Philadelphia, it’s interesting that the Eagles have now added one of his closest friends. Yet I wouldn’t read too much into Moore’s relationship with Brown as the main contributing factor to this move.
Moore is still a 26-year-old, former second-round pick that checks a few boxes that Roseman has historically liked to take a chance on. Moore showed flashes during his time with the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns. Joe Douglas, who has since re-joined Philadelphia’s front office, was New York’s general manager when the Jets selected Moore in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Guess who else was in New York’s draft class in 2021? Eagles defensive back Michael Carter II, who Philadelphia acquired ahead of last season’s trade deadline. Therefore, it’s clear that Roseman and Douglas are in unison regarding the chance to re-acquire players that he thought highly of in New York.
Regardless of Brown’s future in Philadelphia, the Eagles were lacking proven depth behind both him and DeVonta Smith on the current roster. Following the signings of both Hollywood Brown and Moore, Roseman can feel a bit more at ease regarding the team’s wide receiver depth ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.