Eagles Sign Ex-Bucs OL, Cut Promising Young DE Before Matchup vs. Chiefs
The Philadelphia Eagles wasted no time reminding people how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL.
On September 9, the front office reshuffled the roster after trading for running back Tank Bigsby. The Eagles signed offensive lineman Jake Majors to the practice squad, also cutting ties with running back Montrell Johnson Jr.
There was also a bit of a gut punch: defensive tackle Gabe Hall, who had just fought his way onto the 53-man roster, was released after the addition of Bigsby.
The recent addition of Za’Darius Smith left the DEs room a tad too crowded, and Hall was the odd man out.
Gabe Hall Cut By Philadelphia Eagles in Slew of Roster Moves
An undrafted free agent out of Baylor last year, Hall spent 2024 on Philly’s practice squad. This summer, though, he impressed enough to make the team’s initial 53-man roster, a reward for months of quiet, thankless work.
He even got on the field in the season opener against Dallas, logging a handful of defensive and special teams snaps. It felt like the beginning of something, not the end. And then, just days later, he was let go.
Unfortunately, that’s the business side of football. Hall didn’t get cut because of a lack of effort or talent. The addition of Bigsby forced Philadelphia to create a spot, and the coaching staff and front office decided their best option was to let go of a developmental interior lineman rather than trim from somewhere else.
The Eagles also signed a veteran pass rusher in Smith earlier in the week, and while he didn’t directly bump Hall, his arrival reshaped the entire front-seven picture.
More on the Eagles’ Latest Roster Moves
Bigsby, who just came over in a trade from the Jaguars, should provide an immediate boost both as a runner and to the return game. The Eagles are trying to patch a few holes after Week 1, when backup RB Will Shipley fractured his ribs.
Smith will help an Eagles defensive end group that had zero sacks in Philadelphia’s Week 1 win over the Cowboys. Smith had 9.0 sacks and 17 QB hits last year, so he should be a big addition.
“I don’t think it’s any secret that [Executive Vice President/General Manager] Howie [Roseman] and his staff are constantly doing everything they can do to help improve this football team. I love that about Howie,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on September 8.
“Love his tenacity of just always doing what he can, doing his job to help this football team get better. … Excited about Za’Darius and what he can add.”
After the team’s recent slew of moves, Hall just happened to be the player left without a chair when the music stopped.
There’s still a chance the young DE will return, though. If he clears waivers, a spot on the practice squad feels like a natural fit, giving him another chance to keep developing in a system that clearly liked him enough to give him real snaps.
That doesn’t erase the disappointment of this week, but it does leave the door open for a second act. For now, though, his release is a reminder of how fragile roster success can be. One day you’re the underdog story who fought his way onto the 53; the next, you’re waiting for another opportunity.
Bears' Ben Johnson opens up about Caleb Williams' miscues vs. Vikings
Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams played like a work in progress under first-year head coach Ben Johnson as the Chicago Bears suffered a 27-24 loss to the rival Minnesota Vikings on Monday night.
During his media availability on Tuesday, Johnson spoke honestly about Williams' performance in the defeat.
Ben Johnson makes a big admission about Caleb Williams' play
"It was up and down," Johnson said about Williams' play against Minnesota. "We had mixed results. There were some things he did that were top-notch, and I would put him up there with some of the best in the NFL. He had a couple throws with guys in his face that he delivered on target that were very tough. ...And yet there were still some that we would like to have back. There were probably three or four of them that we counted on tape, at a minimum, that we would want back."
Specifically, ESPN's Courtney Cronin noted that Williams missed a wide-open D.J. Moore on a 4th-and-3 play at Minnesota's 24-yard line midway through the second quarter. Andy Nesbitt of Sports Illustrated pointed out that Williams later overthrew a ball intended for an open Moore when Chicago should've scored a touchdown with roughly 2:30 remaining in regulation.
According to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, Williams completed 13-of-16 passes in the game's opening half. However, the 23-year-old then connected on just eight of his final 19 pass attempts of the contest.
"We chatted for a while, and he’s very self-reflective on it and critical of himself," Johnson said about a conversation he had with Williams after reviewing the game film. "It’s a starting point for us, so we’ll look to get better next week."
Of course, Williams isn't responsible for the fact that Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy tallied two touchdown passes and a 14-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter of Chicago's collapse. Nevertheless, Johnson suggested everybody involved will need to be better when the Bears play at the 0-1 Detroit Lions this coming Sunday.
What wasn't an issue for the Chicago Bears against the Minnesota Vikings?
"Some good football on tape, but too much inconsistent football that popped up," Johnson added during his comments. "Effort wasn’t an issue. Those guys did a good job playing hard and competed the whole night, but the execution has got to improve, particularly there in the fourth quarter."
