Nick Gates‘ journey across the NFC East is about to proceed. The previous Giants and Commanders starter is heading to Philadelphia. The Eagles agreed to phrases with Gates on Tuesday, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweeted. The workforce waived cornerback Mario Goodrich to make room on its roster.
Having performed middle in Washington and throughout the O-line in New York, Gates will head to Pennsylvania to hitch a workforce that misplaced a future Corridor of Fame middle. Cam Jurgens is sliding from guard to middle to interchange Jason Kelce, however the Eagles are holding a contest at proper guard. To date, former third-round decide Tyler Steen has been talked about most continuously because the probably RG. However Gates will provide an alternative choice.
The Commanders launched Gates one season right into a three-year, $16.5M deal, one licensed by the Ron Rivera-led regime. The Adam Peters-run operation moved on from Gates and left sort out Charles Leno. Whereas Leno stays unsigned, Gates has secured one other gig forward of what can be his sixth NFL season.
Gates, 28, got here again from a serious damage to safe that mid-level Commanders contract. A damaged leg sustained in September 2021 saved Gates out for over a yr, sidetracking his run as a Giants starter. He made a return halfway by way of the 2022 season and labored principally in a platoon position. Regardless of splitting time for a piece of his comeback season, Gates managed to land a pleasant Washington payday. Professional Soccer Focus slotted Gates because the No. 17 general middle final season.
Nonetheless, the brand new Commanders regime determined to drop the previous UDFA; the workforce is taking over a $5.3M lifeless cash hit this yr consequently. Gates will be part of a crowded inside O-line group in Philly. Brett Toth, ex-Falcon Matt Hennessy and former second-rounder Max Scharping are in place as guard/middle choices. Day 3 draftees Trevor Keegan (Spherical 5) and Dylan McMahon (Spherical 6) are additionally rostered. The Eagles have cross-trained Mekhi Becton at guard, nevertheless, offering an attention-grabbing wrinkle right here. Becton performed completely at sort out in video games as a Jet.
Whereas Gates has 29 begins underneath his belt — together with a 16-game run because the Giants middle again in 2020 — this Eagles equation could not assure him a spot on the 53-man roster. The signing does add an intriguing title to the combination, because the workforce prepares to transition from Kelce and discover succesful backups. Gates’ time at middle and each guard spots, together with early profession proper sort out work, would make him an interesting swing choice behind the beginning 5.
