Getty The Eagles are acquiring the 66th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft as a result of tampering charges after losing former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
The Philadelphia Eagles are benefiting after losing one of their top coaches from last season.
As reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles and Arizona Cardinals settled a tampering investigation involving their former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Gannon departed the Eagles for the Cardinals’ head coaching job. As part of the agreement, the Eagles acquired the 66th overall pick (third round) in the 2023 NFL draft for Philadelphia’s 94th overall pick and their fifth-round draft pick next year.
“Eagles and Cardinals settled a tampering investigation today involving the hiring of former Philadelphia DC Jonathan Gannon as Arizona’s HC, per sources,” writes Schefter. “Terms: Eagles traded pick No. 94 in this draft and a 2024 5th-round pick to the Cardinals for pick No. 66 in this draft.”
Cardinals Spoke to Jonathan Gannon During ‘No-Contact’ Period
Both teams released a joint statement detailing the tampering charges, which centered on Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort having an impermissible phone conversation with Gannon days after the Eagles’ NFC Championship Game.
The conversation was considered tampering because it took place during the no-contact period while Gannon was still coaching the Eagles on their run to Super Bowl LVII.
Ossenfort acknowledged his mistake while speaking to the media on Thursday, April 27.
Via ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss:
“I made a mistake,” Ossenfort said. “I own that. You know, it’s a situation that we were able to resolve. I’ve apologized to [Cardinals owner] Michael Bidwill, I’ve apologized to our staff, and I think the deal that we worked out it is what it is, and we’re just moving on from it and really don’t have a lot more to say on it.”
Gannon spent the past two seasons as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, helping improve the defense from a mediocre unit into an elite one. During the 2020 season — the year before Gannon’s arrival — Philadelphia ranked 20th in points allowed and 19th in yards allowed. Fast forward to the 2022 season and the Eagles ranked eighth in points and second in yards allowed.
The defensive unit also racked up 70 sacks, a franchise record and two short of the NFL record set by the 1984 Chicago Bears. They became the first team in NFL history to have four players — Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham, Javon Hargrave and Josh Sweat — that posted up double-digit sacks.
Eagles Pick Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith in First Round of 2023 NFL Draft
It’s safe to say that the Eagles are stocking up on Georgia Bulldogs.
Philadelphia continued to beef up its front seven with major first-round draft picks, selecting DT Jalen Carter with the No. 9 pick and his Bulldogs teammate OLB Nolan Smith with the No. 30 pick.
The selection of both Carter and Smith means they’ll be reunited with Georgia alum in LB Nakobe Dean and defensive tackle Jordan Davis, both of whom were drafted by the Eagles during the 2022 draft.
“Playing with former teammates Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean – that’s an exciting moment for me,” Carter said after being selected by the Eagles. “Those guys were the leaders of our (2021 championship team). If I have any questions, I know I can ask them or anyone on the team.”
Adding two key playmakers from the national champions could make the Eagles’ defensive unit even better than they were last season when they racked up a team-record 70 sacks.