Philadelphia Eagles: Connor Barwin joins the New York Giants

After taking his time to find the right fit, ex-Philadelphia Eagles fan favorite linebacker Connor Barwin is joining the New York Giants on a two-year deal.

After finishing out an abbreviated one-year reunion with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, former Philadelphia Eagles‘ linebacker Connor Barwin is returning to the NFC East, only this time, as a member of the New York Football Giants.

Though it’ll obviously be weird to see such a distinctive staple of the City of Brotherly Love suiting up for the enemy one year removed from starting 16 games for Jim Schwartz‘s defense, it actually makes a lot of sense for the ninth-year linebacker for a variety of reasons.

Besides his obvious familiarity with the division, the Meadowlands is only a short drive up I-95 from Barwin’s Fishtown home, allowing the 31-year-old linebacker to maintain some familial normality, especially after the birth of his son.

Additionally, Barwin will also be reuniting not only with Pat Shurmur, who served as Chip Kelly‘s offensive coordinator for his entire three-year tenure from 2013-2015, but also Bill McGovern, who served as Kelly’s linebacking coach. Though it seems like a longshot at best that his reunion will deliver Barwin another 14.5 sack season in route to his second appearance in the Pro Bowl it does provide some normalcy to the ninth-year vet.

Speaking of scheme familiarity, Barwin’s addition could be huge for that too.

Much like his Kelly in 2013, Schumer has decided to transform the Giants’ big blue monster 4-3 defense to a 3-4 scheme, just like the one Philly ran in 2013, a scheme that Barwin just so happens have excelled in. While it would be foolish to assume that he’ll be able to return to it almost half a decade later and flawlessly return to form, he could serve as a knowledgeable veteran leader who could help his fellow defenders, young and old, learn the ins and outs of a radically different scheme as they attempt to claw their way out of the cellar of the NFC East.

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Though it will certainly be weird to watch Barwin don a blue 98 jersey instead of the much nicer midnight green twice a year, this move seems like a great fit for both parties, and with his career winding down, that’s all a player like Barwin can ask for.

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