The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off a dominant 14–3 season and a Super Bowl LIX win over Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs, had little left to prove. They set an NFL postseason record with 145 points. It was a story-book ending, but GM Howie Roseman wasn’t done yet. He saw a DE abandoned on the shore and knew he had to get him on his team. That is how Roseman came to sign Ogbonnia “Ogbo” Okoronkwo for the Eagles. Previously, he had a 3‑year, $19 million contract with an Average Annual Value of $6.33 million, including a $5.5 million signing bonus and $10.83 million guaranteed. But with one year to go on his deal, he was cast aside by the Cleveland Browns.

In free agency, he later moved on to the Cleveland Browns, where he spent the past two years before being released earlier this offseason. In 16 games and 5 starts in Cleveland, he registered 23 tackles, 3 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 26 quarterback hits, and 1 forced fumble. While the numbers weren’t flashy, his relentless motor and 19.5% pass-rush win rate, as per PFF, ranked among the best in the league for rotational edge defenders.

“We’re always looking for value, for players who can elevate this culture. Ogbo’s the kind of guy who plays like he’s got something to prove every snap.” GM Roseman said about ‘Ogbo’ during the OTAs. Emphasizing a fresh yet strengthening connection of the veteran DE among his Eagles teammates and the Board. Now, he has taken over the internet with a two-word message on his X account, a rallying cry of the Philadelphia Eagles!

The words that sent the NFL community into a frenzy were, “Go birds!” Throughout 80 career games (13 starts), Okoronkwo has totaled 132 tackles, 17 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He now joins an Eagles defense looking to add experienced depth and versatility to its front seven.

After two years with the Browns, edge rusher Okoronkwo has found a new home. Okoronkwo, 30, began his pro career as a fifth-round pick (No. 160 overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent his first four seasons with the Rams, playing a rotational role on the edge and contributing to their Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2022, he joined the Houston Texans.

However, behind the flashy news and announcements, the Eagles’ 2024 defensive stats told a tale of two halves. Even after massive defensive success, the team’s sack numbers dipped to just 41, and pressure late in the season came mostly from interior linemen like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. With Brandon Graham likely entering his final season and Haason Reddick offloaded to the Jets, the team is envisioning a new and stronger defense, and Okoronkwo is a part of a bigger picture.

The Eagles Are Quietly Rebuilding an Elite Defense Under Vic Fangio

On the surface, July 22 seemed like just another day in the NFL offseason. But in Philadelphia, it was anything but ordinary. While fans were still buzzing over Ogbo Okoronkwo’s two-word post, the Eagles’ front office was deep into the most important phase of their 2025 blueprint: a quiet, calculated defensive reconstruction. The vision is clear, Roseman and Co. aren’t resting on success. They wrapped up their draft class with the signing of rookie safety Andrew Mukuba, a versatile slot defender known for his instincts and speed. And in a subtle but telling move, they released veteran center Nick Gates, opening cap space for more flexibility.

These weren’t splashy headline moves. But that’s the point. With new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio now pulling the strings, the Eagles are no longer chasing stars; they’re building fits. “The decision to move pieces wasn’t about star power; it’s about fit and flexibility. These guys win leverage, stay disciplined, and give us options.” Okoronkwo joins a rotation that includes Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, and rookie Jalyx Hunt. No one’s being promised 60 snaps a game, but everyone is expected to win when it’s their turn. Fangio’s system thrives on that. It’s about fresh legs, rotational pressure, and assignments executed to perfection.

Meanwhile, in the secondary, the Eagles made another subtle but strategic shift. With Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson no longer in the fold, Fangio has opted for a mix of youth and versatility. Mukuba, Reed Blankenship, and Sydney Brown offer dynamic coverage skills and interchangeable roles. At linebacker, Philly didn’t panic after losing Zack Baun, Patrick Johnson, and Azeez Ojulari in free agency. Instead, they stayed patient, adding rookie Jihaad Campbell and veteran pieces on short-term, cap-friendly deals. It’s part of a larger pattern: betting on speed, aggression, and coachable traits over star power.

In the words of Vic Fangio, “Everyone has a role. The key is making sure that role wins.” So, if today’s roster moves are any indication, the Eagles are making sure those wins come from every corner of the field—quietly, methodically, and with one goal in mind: staying on top.