Alex

Singleton

The news comes as a shock to everyone including head coach Sean Payton. Singleton tore his ACL in the first quarter of the Broncos’ Week 3 win over the Bucs but played through the issue. He was on the field for 57 of Denver’s defensive snaps and totaled 10 combined tackles. Singleton’s knee was sore after the game and testing eventually revealed a torn ACL. Singleton will now miss the remainder of the season.

Reporter Mike Klis adds that over $9 million of the contract is guaranteed. The four-year pro made consistent contributions on both defense and special teams after signing a one-year contract last offseason. Singleton was credited with 101 solo tackles and 62 assists as a run-stopping specialist a season ago.

Singleton became a free agent after the Eagles declined his tender as a restricted free agent, which would have paid $2.43 million. The run stopper had 137 tackles in a sub-package role in 2021 and projects to play opposite Josey Jewell on early downs. Singleton should also help the Broncos on special teams after playing over 50% of snaps there last season.

Singleton is an early-down tackling machine whose skills haven’t really developed beyond that. He also has the unfortunate distinction of being a 28-year-old first-time free agent. He could end returning to the Eagles for less than the “low” RFA tender amount of $2.433 million.

An exclusive rights free agent, this was Singleton’s only option unless he wanted to retire. A 2015 UDFA, Singleton spent some time in Canada before emerging as an Eagles special teamer in 2019. He then took on a major defensive role in 2020, playing 750 snaps while racking up two sacks and spending a lot of time in coverage. Singleton did not exactly set the world ablaze, but he established himself as someone at least worthy of being on the field beyond the third unit.

This means Scott, Ward, and Singleton can only negotiate with the Eagles this offseason. Scott made four starts for Miles Sanders in 2020, but was limited to 29 carries when he wasn’t starting. Doug Pederson’s regime clearly liked Scott in the team’s backfield; it remains to be seen how Nick Sirianni’s staff will regard Scott. Ward, a former quarterback, has served as Philly’s No. 1 receiver through large swaths of the past two seasons.