Multiple sources reported over the weekend that the Eagles were going to bring back veteran defensive end Vinny Curry. Today the team made it official, signing Curry to a one-year deal worth up to $2 million, with $1.3 million guaranteed.
Given the lack of proven depth at defensive end, this move makes a lot of sense. Curry, 32, obviously knows Jim Schwartz‘s system and he’s been able to produce in it.
Curry posted five sacks and 34 total QB pressures while only playing 38 percent of the snaps last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Curry generated pressure on 16.9 percent of his snaps, good for fourth best in the league last year. Among the team’s edge rushers, Curry finished with the best pass rushing grade from PFF with a 79.8 mark.
If Curry can carry this kind of production over into 2020, he’ll be more than just a depth piece along the defensive line, he’ll be a pivotal pass rusher in Schwartz’s defensive end rotation.
Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett will continue to hold down the majority of the playing time on the edge, with Curry and Josh Sweat most likely being the first ones off the bench.
Curry has been reliable during his tenure in midnight green. He played in all 17 games last season, including one playoff game, and his five sack total in 2019 was the second highest mark of his career.
It’s been well documented just how hard it may be for younger players to develop during this strange virtual offseason. And while the front office has stood by their model of getting younger this offseason, getting another serviceable pass rusher for this rotation was a clear need, and Curry should be able to fill that.
He’s not the sexy signing some fans have been clamoring for, like signing Jadeveon Clowney or trading for Yannick Ngakoue, but Curry is more than capable of holding down the third defensive end spot for this defense.
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