The Eagles appear to have shifted their focus of locking up young talent this offseason to the defensive side of the ball by signing Vinny Curry to a five-year deal.
#FlyEaglesFly 5 More Years…. God Is Great https://t.co/TLQGf77qcj
— Vinny Curry (@MrGetFlee99) February 2, 2016
After Curry 'broke' the initial news of the story, details of the pass-rushers detail came courtesy of Albert Breer of the NFL Network.
Eagles DE Vinny Curry has agreed to a five-year deal worth $47.25 million. $23 million guaranteed.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 2, 2016
Curry was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Marshall product has been used somewhat sparingly, given the team's insistence on using a defensive scheme with more 3-4 concepts during the majority of his career in Philadelphia. In 52 games played, Curry has 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. The Eagles appear to be banking on Curry's natural pass-rushing skills to flourish in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's attack-based scheme.
Though some might question the Eagles for paying this amount of money to a non-starter, the importance of an edge-based pass-rusher set Curry's premium in Philadelphia. Ian Rapoport, also of the NFL Network, provided this additional nugget for the structure of Curry's deal.
On the 5-year, $47.25M deal for Vinny Curry that @AlbertBreer reported, the #Eagles pass-rusher gets $10M paid. immediately.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 2, 2016
With Lane Johnson, Zach Ertz and now Vinny Curry locked up for the future, the attention is now split between the situation regarding quarterback Sam Bradford and the eventual deal that many expect Fletcher Cox to get. The active offseason with Howie Roseman pulling the strings falls very much in line with the notion that the Eagles organization is trying to re-introduce stability into what has become a chaotic atmosphere during recent years. Curry has been among the stronger locker room presences in his time since being drafted. By signing him to a long-term deal, the Eagles are showing good faith to a player that has cooperated under somewhat tumultuous conditions and recognizing a player's potential. Much like Ertz and Johnson, the Eagles could find themselves paying somewhat of a discount if Curry ends up becoming the pass-rushing force they envision.
