Nick Sirianni didn’t need much time to remind everyone what he thinks of Kenny Moore.
The Eagles’ newest defensive back has already earned the kind of praise that usually takes years to collect. Sirianni, who coached against Moore and coached around him during his time in Indianapolis, called him “a really good football player, really good person, great teammate.” He added, “Being able to add him to our team is a big deal and I'm pumped about it.”
That endorsement carries some real weight. Moore’s path to Philadelphia has been anything but ordinary.
The Valdosta, Georgia native came into the league undrafted out of Valdosta State in 2017, was first signed and then released by the New England Patriots, and then carved out a strong nine-year run with the Colts. Along the way, he became a Pro Bowl selection and a team captain.
His Colts years overlapped with Sirianni’s stint in Indianapolis, where Sirianni served as offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2020. The Eagles’ coaching tree adds another layer, too, with Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon part of the broader Philly-Indianapolis connection that already makes Moore’s arrival feel familiar inside the building.
Moore’s move to Philadelphia came on a one-year deal this past week after he was cut by his former AFC South team in May. He was initially expected to land on the practice squad, but that picture could change quickly, with Monday night in Chicago mentioned as a possible point when his role could shift.
The Eagles see a veteran with versatility. Moore has played most of his career at corner, where he has 21 career interceptions, but he has also worked at safety.
That gives Vic Fangio some flexibility, with Moore in line to get snaps at slot and safety. Cooper DeJean could also see more work at safety, but Moore is a natural candidate to get back into that mix and potentially challenge Marcus Epps and Andrew Mukuba for reps.
Moore, for his part, sounds ready to start over.
“Nothing that I did before matters to me, I feel like I'm a rookie all over again,” Moore said. “So, I just want to turn the page and give all I can to this team, give all I can to this community.”
With Moore and fellow veteran Michael Carter II now in the fold, Fangio has two experienced defensive backs competing for playing time. Safety may end up being the spot where one or both of them fit best.
In Other News...
Eagles Suddenly Face A Tougher Week 3 Question Than Expected
The Eagles went into the week expecting a clearer read on Chicagos quarterback situation, but the Bears now appear likely to be without Caleb Williams because of a hamstring injury. Tyson Bagent has cleared concussion protocol and could return to practice, which at least gives Chicago another option as it sorts through the position for Week 3.
Ben Johnson confirmed Bagents clearance, a positive development for a Bears team still trying to stabilize under center. Case Keenum could still end up starting, so Philadelphia may have to prepare for more than one possibility even as the matchup looks different than it did when the schedule first pointed to Williams. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Have A Week 3 WR Question Fans Did Not Expect
The Eagles entered the week expecting to sort through a familiar set of early-season injury concerns, but the wide receiver picture took an unexpected turn when Hollywood Brown was added late to the injury report with a knee issue and sat out a practice. For a team still trying to settle its passing-game rotation, the timing matters, especially with a game coming up and the depth chart suddenly looking a little thinner than it did a day earlier.
If Brown is unable to go, Elijah Moore could become part of the conversation in a bigger way. The offseason addition has not played in the first two games, but the Eagles may turn to him for specific offensive packages or even special teams work if they need another receiver available, giving him a chance to finally enter the mix at a moment when the team did not seem to be planning for one. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Defense Suddenly Faces A Bigger Bears Problem Than Quarterback
The Bears quarterback picture has been murky all week, and that has kept a little extra attention on Chicagos visit to Philadelphia. Backup Tyson Bagent was back at practice after reportedly clearing concussion protocol, according to head coach Ben Johnson, after sitting out earlier in the week and fueling speculation that Case Keenum might get the nod if Caleb Williams remains sidelined.
For the Eagles, the bigger issue is not simply who lines up under center, but how much the uncertainty changes the shape of the game. The betting line has already moved as Bagents status has swung back and forth, and Philadelphias defense now has to prepare for a matchup that could still tilt depending on whether the Bears are dealing with one backup quarterback, another, or more late-week confusion. [Read more 🡒]