Several Eagles leave the nest

A slew of Super Bowl LIX champions left the Eagles for other teams on Monday. We knew this was coming, but that didn’t make it any easier. Birds fans wish them well.

In other news, the Sixers lost. But at least they had enough guys to play! (Barely.) And the Union’s hot start has our attention.

Let’s discuss.

In the email today:

• 😔 Several Eagles leave the nest

• 🏥 The few healthy Sixers left lost in Atlanta last night

• ⚽️ Union off to best start in franchise history at 3-0-0

  • 📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

  • 📊 Poll

  • 🔗 Links

  • 📺 Coming Up

The NFL's "legal tampering period" kicked off Monday, allowing teams to reach agreements with free agents in advance of Wednesday's official start to the league's new year.

As anticipated, several members of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles agreed to deals with new teams:

DE Josh Sweat to Cardinals

After 43 sacks in seven seasons with the Eagles, Josh Sweat is heading to Arizona.

DT Milton Williams to Patriots

After initial reports indicated that Williams was finalizing a deal with the Carolina Panthers, Willliams landed with the Pats. His deal is reportedly for four years and $104 million. Not bad for a player who made about $7 million over the last four years.

CB Darius Slay to Steelers… maybe.

Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that Slay is signing with Pittsburgh. But later in the day, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said “there’s no deal yet.” A return to the Eagles remains possible, if unlikely. (Designated a post-June 1 release, Slay is technically still under contract with the Birds.)

CB Isaiah Rodgers lands with Vikings

Rodgers, thought to be under consideration to take over Slay’s role with the Eagles, is instead on his way to Minnesota on a reported two-year, $15 million contract.

LB Oren Burks goes to Bengals

Backup linebacker Oren Burks, who filled in admirably for Nakobe Dean in the playoffs, is en route to Cincinnati.

Kenny Pickett to Browns via trade

The Eagles are trading Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick, reports NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

On Pattison’s Tim Kelly has more on that deal here.

The Sixers’ injury situation is now (sort of) a national story.

For a good while last night, before the Sixers dropped a 132-123 game to the Hawks in Atlanta, ESPN.com’s front page carried this story: “Hawks, Sixers down several players for Monday’s game.”

You’re not kidding, Worldwide Leader.

We can probably all agree that the high point of the season came when the Sixers went to Boston and beat the Celtics on Christmas Day.

The Sixers starting five that night: Embiid, George, Maxey, Caleb Martin and Oubre Jr. Here was the Sixers’ starting five last night:

Injuries happen. But come on. Yabusele played in that win over the Celtics. He’s the only Sixer who played last night who also played in that win on Christmas. Not only are all of the starting five hurt (or gone) — so are Lowry and Reggie Jackson.

The Hawks did in fact have their own injury problems.

Ultimately, though, the Hawks had more than enough to keep the Sixers at arm’s length for most of the game. After a free-scoring first quarter, the Sixers’ shooting went cold and by the end of the third quarter the Hawks’ lead was 16 points.

Quentin Grimes again led the Sixers in scoring with 35 points. What do we know about Grimes? He can fill it up in non-competitive games. In fairness to Grimes, he can’t do more than he’s doing. It’s not his fault that the team around him is so limited.

It’s notable that Grimes scored almost half of his total in the fourth quarter when the game was basically decided. Some ball knowers like him.

And really, Grimes might be the only player worth watching on this team on a nightly basis. If anyone is watching them on a nightly basis at all.

The last time we wrote about the Union in this space, we indicated that we would check in on them as developments warrant.

In fairness to the U, indeed, developments have warranted checking in.

The Union’s 2-0 road blanking of the New England Revolution over the weekend kept the Union perfect to start the season. Their 3-0-0 record is the best the club has ever begun a season.

Union supporters reasonably expected production from Mikael Uhre, who has averaged nearly 15 goals a season in three campaigns here. As last season showed, he couldn’t do it alone.

Tai Baribo has been the revelation. The 27-year-old Israeli forward showed flashes last season, scoring nine goals in 20 appearances. This year, Baribo has had a hat trick and a brace. Only a Revs own goal ruling kept him from six goals in three games.

It is too soon to project what this perfect beginning to the season will mean for the Union. But two of their wins (Orlando City, Cincinnati) came over 2024 MLS playoff teams. The Revs, well, they stink, but then you have to beat bad teams too.

And while it’s early, the next three matches could be telling.

The Union are home for fellow 2024 stragglers Nashville on Sunday afternoon. The following week, they host recent expansion franchise St. Louis City FC. There’s a path to 5-0-0 there.

After that, they travel to south Florida to take on Lionel Messi and powerhouse Inter MIami.

OK Union. We noticed. We’re watching. Let’s see what you got.

📆 This Day in Philly Sports History

On March 11, 2023, Kyle Schwarber hit a Schwarbomb for ‘Murica in a 6-2 World Baseball Classic win over Great Britain.

📊 Poll

Results from Monday:

The winning option should read “jersey.” We must’ve been hacked.

🔗 Links

• 🗽 Gerrit Cole’s 2025 season ended before it began as he is headed for Tommy John surgery.

• 🐏 We’re daydreaming about the Eagles adding Cooper Kupp to the wide receiving corps as the longtime Ram is on his way out of L.A.

• 💰️ Dave Roberts finally got the money he earned from the free-spending Dodgers.

• 🏀 Steph Curry is going to pitch in as an admin at his alma mater.

📺 Coming Up

Games before our next send.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

• Flyers vs. Lightning, 7:00 p.m. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

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