Eagles sign G John Moffitt to a one-year deal, release G Cole Manhart
The Eagles signed guard John Moffitt on Monday, adding a former NFL starter who abruptly retired in 2013 and faced drug charges while he was out of the league.
Moffitt, 28, agreed to a one-year deal. The Eagles released undrafted rookie Cole Manhart to make room for Moffitt.
The Seattle Seahawks drafted Moffitt in the third round in 2011. He started 15 games during his first two years in the league before he was traded to the Broncos. Moffitt played two games for Denver in 2013, then retired in midseason after losing interest in the game and worrying about his health.
Moffitt was arrested in March 2014 and was charged with assault, public urination and possession of marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy. The drug charges were later dismissed and he pleaded guilty to the other charges after enrolling in a rehabilitation clinic in Malibu, Calif., the New York Times reported in November 2014.
He decided to return to the NFL earlier this month and has been working out with Fox Sports reporter and trainer Jay Glazer.
"I have never been so proud of a guy I've trained than I am of John Moffitt," Glazer posted on Twitter on June 17. "Retired two years ago [because] he knew he had drug issues, took time to go to rehab, clean up his life, beat his demons and he has taken his life back!"
Eagles coach Chip Kelly places a premium on character and a player's commitment, so his research on Moffitt would seem to be important in this transaction. Kelly is not scheduled to speak to reporters until training camp opens on Aug. 2.
The former Wisconsin star presents the Eagles with an intriguing option at guard, a position that lacks depth after the team released longtime starters Todd Herremans and Evan Mathis this offseason. Allen Barbre is expected to start at left guard. Moffitt could compete with Matthew Tobin, Andrew Gardner, Dennis Kelly, and Kevin Graf for the starting job at right guard.
Trash talk
Eagles center Jason Kelce fired back at Giants punter Steve Weatherford on Twitter after Weatherford made comments about the Eagles' quarterback situation on WFAN-AM in New York.
"Of course a player who is literally not allowed to be touched is talking [expletive]," Kelce wrote. "Is interviewing punters a thing now?"
Weatherford said he's the "biggest Tim Tebow fan," but he wouldn't want Tebow taking snaps. He compared Sam Bradford to a Ferrari that "maybe won't be running all the time," and Mark Sanchez to nice Cadillac that is more dependable. He said Kelly would "get himself in serious trouble" if he gave Bradford a contract extension and the QB got hurt again.
@ZBerm