The Philadelphia Eagles held their first padded practices of the summer this past week, and per multiple reports, one position group stood out (and not in a good way).
“The Eagles very obviously need to trade for a safety,” WIP-FM’s Eliot Shorr-Parks wrote on Monday.
The Eagles very obviously need to trade for a safety
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) July 28, 2025
Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice echoed that sentiment following Friday’s practice, listing safety among the Eagles’ top positional needs due to Sydney Brown’s inexperience and rookie Andrew Mukuba’s shoulder issue.
“If the Eagles are uncomfortable starting Brown and feel like they haven't seen enough of Mukuba,” Kempski wrote, “then they could opt to add a safety.”
These camp updates aren’t all that surprising, after general manager Howie Roseman traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson this offseason and opted not to replace him with a proven veteran. The Eagles are banking on internal development in 2025, especially on defense. Still, if they do look to make another signing in free agency, one former All-Pro safety has been patiently waiting for Roseman’s call.
Justin Simmons clearly wants to reunite with Vic Fangio in Philly
Simmons to Philadelphia almost feels like a done deal, for no other reason than it makes perfect sense.
The four-time All-Pro enjoyed the best seasons of his career playing for Vic Fangio in Denver, and has promoted his desires to reunite with his former head coach both with his words and choice of wardrobe this offseason:
Justin Simmons wore an interesting hoodie in his latest Instagram story post. 👀🦅 pic.twitter.com/KEPilzAVAO
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) August 2, 2025
Kevin Patra of NFL.com believes a deal will eventually get done, naming the 31-year-old Simmons an ideal fit for Philly’s young defense:
“The 31-year-old Simmons might not be the same high-flier he was in his Denver days under Fangio,” Patra wrote, “but he can still cover ground and fits well in his former coach's scheme. At this stage of his career, coming off his release by the Broncos last offseason and a one-year stint with the Falcons, Simmons will presumably be chasing a ring more than cash, which would fit Philly's cause.”
The state of Philadelphia's safety group has been a hot training camp topic, from Reed Blankenship’s mysterious contract situation to the ongoing battle between Brown and Mukuba for the team’s vacant starting spot. Roseman and company love to shake things up by adding to the roster in August, and based on the first padded practices of camp, Simmons might not have to wait much longer to get the call he’s been waiting for.
