Eagles To Sign Marcus Epps, J.T. Gray

Philadelphia has plenty of familiarity with Epps, an Eagle from 2019-22 and again last season. Epps was a full-time starter in 2022, an NFC-winning campaign that ended with a loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. He then left for the Raiders’ two-year, $12MM offer in free agency. While Epps put together his second straight 17-start season to begin the contract, a torn ACL limited him to four games in 2024.

Just a week before the Eagles’ season opener last year, they brought back Epps in free agency. The 30-year-old went to play 12 games and start in four. Epps finished with 369 snaps (250 on defense, 119 on special teams) and 21 tackles.

Having played in 103 games over eight seasons, Gray has seen a good amount of action, though he has never picked up a start. Gray signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent from Mississippi State in 2018, and he stayed in New Orleans for his first seven seasons. Although Gray totaled a meager 153 defensive snaps during that span, he was an integral special teamer throughout his Saints tenure. Gray earned a first-team All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. He was also a second-team All-Pro in 2019 and ’24.

The Saints released Gray last September, leading him to short stints with the Ravens, Broncos and Buccaneers. The 30-year-old got into five games between Denver and Tampa Bay. Gray did not play any defensive snaps last season. If he cracks the Eagles’ roster in 2026, Gray could help make up for Brown’s departure on special teams.

Having lost Brown and Reed Blankenship, Philadelphia now has Epps, Gray, Andrew Mukuba, Andre Sam and Brandon Johnson as safety options. Slot corners Cooper DeJean and Michael Carter could also see time there, though Zach Berman of The Athletic expects further safety additions.