Philadelphia Eagles: Jettisoned RB Josh Adams is back on the market

The NFL has a few more ex-Philadelphia Eagles on the market.

When Josh Adams spurned the Philadelphia Eagles for a spot on the New York Jets’ practice squad, it felt personal.

After signing with his hometown team as an undrafted free agent following a high profile tenure with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Adams worked his way up from fourth-stringer, to practice squad member, all the way up to starter. In only 14 games of action with four starts, Adams ran the ball 120 times for 511 yards and three touchdowns, all the while cementing his place as a player to watch moving forward.

Now granted, 511 yards isn’t a lot, but on the 2018 Eagles, that was (sadly) enough to lead the team.

While it was abundantly clear the Eagles couldn’t enter 2019 with Adams as their top option, especially considering he was effectively benched for the team’s playoff run, there was no reason to assume he wouldn’t at least be back for the second year of his three-year UDFA contract, right?

… yeah, one would think that, wouldn’t they?

More from Section 215

With Jordan Howard acquired from the Chicago Bears for a sixth-round pick – a pick that was eventually used to select Quez Watkins, yes, seriously – and Miles Sanders selected 53rd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Adams reverted to a middle-of-the-pack role, competing with Boston Scott, Donnell Pumphrey, and a decidedly unretired Darren Sproles for a roster spot. Had Sproles no un-un-unretired for the third straight summer, maybe Adams would have had a shot to stick around as a deep bench reserve, but with Howard taking over the LeGarrette Blount/Jay Ajayi power back role, such a move was ultimately deemed unnecessary.

Again, Adams was reportedly still offered a spot on the Eagles’ practice squad, as 22-year-old Central Bucks South alums-turned-1,430 yard collegiate rushers don’t grow on trees, being looked over once more, especially after showcasing his worth in actual NFL games, had to have hurt the Warrington native.

Adams took his talents across the Delaware to the beautiful state of New Jersey to join the other Gang Green, and reunite with ex-Eagles personnel man Joe Douglas.

And now, almost one year to the day later, Adams is a free agent once more, waived by the Jets after picking up 12 yards on eight carries over a three-game tenure on the active roster.

Now, in theory, Adams could latch on somewhere else before the 2020 season opens up in a few short days. Heck, the Philadelphia Eagles currently only have three running backs on their initial 53 man roster, I could see returning as a logical destination for Adams believers or local Notre Dame fans eager to root for a college favorite.

If that happens, cool, but honestly; I don’t see that happening.

Had Adams stuck around on the practice squad, maybe he would have been elevated to the active roster in time for Week 6 over Boston Scott? Maybe he would have broken out when the Eagles switched things up and went heavy on the RPO once more? Maybe Adams would be the thunder to Sanders lightning, and Corey Clement would be looking for a new job elsewhere.

Next. Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas highlight cut day releases. dark

For all of the strengths Josh Adams has in his game, he’s still an upright runner, an inefficient pass catcher, and nowhere near as effective as a pass blocker as his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame would suggest. With a new crop of running backs coming into the league every year, Adams has to think long and hard about his next landing spot before committing to a less than ideal fit on a whim, as he may not get a fourth chance to latch on in the NFL team.

Home/Philadelphia Eagles