[NFL Free Agency] Eagles Re-Sign Trotter

Lil Pun · Mar 4, 2005

Trotter Chooses Eagles Over More Money

There is no denying that middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter plays with great heart. Apparently, he negotiates with his heart, as well.

The three-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker, whose insertion into the starting lineup midway through the 2004 season galvanized a previously shoddy Philadelphia Eagles run defense, has reached a contract agreement to return the team, ESPN.com has learned.

Trotter tested the unrestricted free agent market for three days, visited with the Kansas City Chiefs and drew interest from at least two other teams, and then Friday afternoon rejected a more lucrative proposal to go back to the Eagles, a team for which he has a strong passion.

Sources close to Trotter acknowledged that it would have taken a tremendous offer to pry him away from the Eagles. On Thursday night, Trotter spoke by phone with Eagles coach Andy Reid, and that all but sealed his return.

The seven-year veteran will sign a five-year contract worth $15 million and including a signing bonus of $4 million.

Trotter, 28, is coming off an '04 season in which he resurrected a flagging career. Cut by the Washington Redskins in the spring, he essentially had to talk Reid into re-signing him, and he agreed to a one-year deal at a minimum salary of $535,000.

With the Eagles struggling to stop the run, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson elevated Trotter to the starting lineup in November and he responded by posting 61 tackles in just nine starts. He also provided a passion that had been lacking in the Philadelphia defense. For his efforts, Trotter was named to the Pro Bowl for a third time.

The former Stephen F. Austin star began his career in Philadelphia in 1998, moved into the lineup a year later, and established himself as one of the NFL's best defenders versus the run. But in the spring of 2002, he engaged in a nasty contract dispute when the Eagles designated him a "franchise" player.

Philadelphia subsequently rescinded the "franchise" marker and Trotter signed a seven-year, $35.6 million contract with Washington.

The Redskins released him after two seasons for salary cap reasons and because they believed that past knee problems were eroding his productivity. Trotter demonstrated in 2004, both during the regular season and particularly in the playoffs, that he remained a stout defender and that his knees were plenty sound enough.

The Eagles, who divine a player's contract value in a kind of actuarial style that takes into account position and age, do not necessarily place a high premium on the middle linebacker position, but club officials certainly wanted Trotter back. Their options at the middle linebacker spot, one Philadelphia coach allowed, were not strong.

A priority for the Chiefs was the middle linebacker position, where the underrated Mike Maslowski missed most of the year with a knee injury and youngster Kawika Mitchell struggled to fill the starting spot. The Chiefs also coveted Trotter's leadership skills and locker room presence and negotiated for two days with agent Jimmy Sexton before the talks ended on Thursday night.
Trotter was actually visiting with Cincinnati Bengals officials on Friday when he made up his mind to accept the Philadelphia offer. The Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks also showed interest. The Falcons' staff became enamored of Trotter when it coached him in the Pro Bowl game, but Atlanta never made a contract proposal.

For his career, Trotter has 627 tackles, 11½ sacks and seven interceptions, and he has appeared in 100 games, with 85 starts.
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Happy to see Jeremiah coming back to Philly. One less piece we have to replace. I remember how somebody was making deragatory remarks about Trotter in the Super Bowl thread and that's one of the real reasons I wanted to post this. Although $15 million is not small change, giving up more money is something less and less seen these days so I am also happy about that. GO EAGLES!!!

Lil Pun · Mar 4, 2005

Oh yeah, not that he was a big impact on the field last year but the Eagles also re-signed Hugh Douglas to another one year contract. Even though his play and effect on the field were minimal, Douglas still had/has a huge locker room presence.

moestavern19 · Mar 4, 2005

Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan.

drooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

SirCharlesFan · Mar 4, 2005

my step mom was this guy's teacher in high school and said he was one of the biggest jerks she'd ever had in class.

Mr.Scary · Mar 5, 2005

Originally posted by moestavern19
Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan.

drooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool
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Just Awesome!

Lil Pun · Mar 5, 2005

Raiders fans, eh?

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