Eagles sign punter and WR project to futures deals

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The Eagles on Wednesday afternoon reported the news you’ve all been waiting for: They signed two players to futures contracts.

Sure, we’re all waiting to find out who the next head coach will be, but these two moves on Wednesday are at least moderately intriguing.

The two players the Eagles signed are punter Arryn Siposs and wide receiver Khalil Tate.

Let’s start, as always, with the punter. It might not sound like a major move but the Eagles have a decision to make at their punter position for the 2021 season.

While the Eagles signed kicker Jake Elliott and long snapper Rick Lovato to contract extensions last November, an extension never came for punter Cameron Johnston, who will be a restricted free agent this offseason.

In 2020, Johnston averaged 46.7 yards per punt (11th in the NFL) and a net of 40.6 (14th). His 26 punts inside the 20 ranked him tied for sixth in the NFL.

Johnston is the Eagles’ all-time leader in gross average (47.0) and net average (41.8).

But it seems unlikely the Eagles will tender Johnston because of the $2.24 million contract that is expected to come along with that tender. So Johnston will be an unrestricted free agent and there’s no guarantee he’ll be back. And even if he is back, there’s no guarantee he’s the punter next year.

Enter Siposs.

The 28-year-old Siposs, like Johnston, is former Australian rules footballer. He obviously got a late start in American football but kicked at Auburn before going undrafted last season. He was with the Lions this past season, spending some time on their practice squad. If he makes it to camp, then Siposs will have a chance to at least compete for a job.

The other player the Eagles signed on Wednesday is also intriguing. Tate (6-1, 215) was actually with the Eagles for a few months last offseason but didn’t make it to training camp. Tate was the starting quarterback at Arizona but went undrafted and signed with the Eagles with the goal of converting to receiver.

Tate was a heck of an athlete at Arizona, where threw for over 6,300 yards and ran for another 2,200 as a three-year starter.

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