Philadelphia Eagles Sign 40-Yard Dash Speedster, Former First Rounder

There is an opening for the veteran on the Philadelphia Eagles, as John Ross wasn’t on an NFL team in 2022 but signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 and is coming out of retirement in 2024.

Now the 28-year-old Ross has returned to the league and has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, as they are known for cheap short-term additions like these. If he impresses enough in training camp, he could make his comeback officially if he sticks on the roster come August and September.

Ross’ best days are obviously behind him, but with a need for a receiver to step up in camp, it isn’t the worst fit or signing and could pay off with his speed if he can stay healthy.

Philadelphia Eagles Sign WR John Ross

After a rookie camp tryout a few weeks ago, John Ross inks a 1-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo. The former first-rounder joins a receiver group headlined by A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Parris Campbell, another receiver who signed with them this offseason.

This is on top of the two rookies the Eagles drafted on day three of this past NFL Draft, 5th round pick Ainias Smith from Texas A&M and 6th round pick Johnny Wilson from Florida State.

This was most likely a response to the DeVante Parker retirement, as the 31-year-old was slated to be their number 3 wide receiver. Now Philadelphia replaces a veteran with another one who is younger and faster, but less accomplished with just, if not more, talent with about the same amount of injury risk.

Philadelphia Eagles Add Former Speedy First Rounder

The Eagles add the former 9th overall pick from the 2017 NFL Draft, as John Ross has always had the talent but was never able to stay healthy or be utilized correctly.

He spent 4 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, before getting released in 2021 and signing with the New York Giants. However, Ross didn’t get enough playing time to make an impact on the field and wasn’t good enough to start among their receiving core.

For the Giants, he only played 10 games and had 11 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown as a role player. In terms of wear and tear having not played in the past 2 NFL seasons, Ross should be fresh and should be in shape to make an impact.

Despite signing a future deal with the Chiefs in 2023, he was then put on the retired list during training camp last year, to then be cut before the season began.

In 5 seasons, he only has 37 career games played and had his best season in 2018 and 2019, where he had a career-high in touchdowns (7 in 2018) and receiving yards (506 in 2019).

The 40-yard dash champ runner-up is still Ross at 4.22, and due to rookie Xavier Worthy, was broken in the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Worthy ended up being drafted 28th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Chiefs after they traded up for him in the first round.

If the speedster can be an actual option for Philadelphia, that would give the Eagles a dangerous number 3 wide receiver in John Ross.