Eagles signing recently-retired reclamation project reeks of desperation

The Dallas Cowboys have been criticized for not spending money in free agency. While most of that flak was deserved, throwing cash around hasn't always been conducive to success. If that track record holds true, the Philadelphia Eagles could be in for a long season in 2024.

Following their spectacular late-season collapse, the Eagles threw money at running back Saquon Barkley and pass rusher Bryce Huff. While Huff is an addition that should worry Cowboys fans, giving the oft-injured Barkley $26 million guaranteed is begging to blow up in Philly's face.

Additionally, there's a reason the Eagles' signing of linebacker Devin White was celebrated by Cowboys fans. In short, White is a stat-padder who is really only effective when blitzing. He's suspect in coverage and is often caught out of position against the run due to his aggression.

Time will tell how those moves pan out, but the Eagles just made another signing that Cowboys fans will can't help but laugh at.

Eagles signing former retired WR John Ross is more comedy for Cowboys fans

Cowboys fans might remember John Ross as the former fastest player in Combine history. He set the then-record for the 40-yard dash in 2017, which convinced the Bengals to draft him ninth overall. Hindered by injuries, Ross has never had more than 500 receiving yards in a season.

Ross last appeared in an NFL game in 2021 with the Giants. Now 28 years old, Ross signed a reserve/futures contract with the Chiefs in January of last year. Right before training camp, though, he announced his retirement and was placed on the reserve/retired list.

As Trey Wingo implied in the above tweet, there is nothing intriguing about this signing. Eagles fans might view it as a low-risk dart throw, but Ross hasn't played in three years. It's wishful thinking that the former first-round pick amounts to anything.

This is not how we expected Nick Sirianni and Co. to respond to free-agent signing DeVante Parker abruptly announcing his retirement this week, but we're not complaining. As of this writing, the Eagles still don't have a clearcut WR3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Projected third option Parris Campbell has played 44 of a possible 82 games since he was drafted in the second round by the Colts in 2019. In his only full season (2022), Campbell caught 63 passes for 623 yards and three touchdowns. In his four other seasons, he has a combined 464 receiving yards.

The Eagles' plan at wide receiver is a confounding one. No team can plan for an abrupt retirement, but replacing Parker with a formerly retired first-round bust in Ross shows how desperate the Cowboys' rival really is.

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