Former Penn State defensive star signs with Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley set a trend at the start of NFL Free agency by signing with his home-state team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, anotehr prominent former Penn State Nittany Lion is joining him on the roster. Defensive tackle PJ Mustipher signed a one-year contract with the team on Tuesday afternoon.
Mustipher issued a statement on the signing via the team’s official website.
“Seeing what the Eagles have been able to accomplish over the past few years has been nothing short of amazing,” Mustipher said. “There is a lot of talent on this roster and along the defensive line, so there was nothing better for my career moving forward than being a part of this organization.”
Mustipher looking for a second chance in Philly
The Eagles are looking for depth and potential along the defensive line after former All-Pro defensive tackle Fletcher Cox retired earlier this month. While Mustipher doesn’t have the same skillset as the former Eagles great, the team clearly thinks he can do more than he did in his first NFL season.
The former standout Penn State defensive tackle is still trying to find his footing in the NFL after a rocky start. Mustipher tore his ACL in October of 2021 in the first quarter of a devastating loss to Iowa. He returned to start the 2022 season but was not the same player due to the condensed timeline of his recovery.
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An injury at Penn State derails Mustipher’s early NFL Career
That injury in 2021, which led to a non-descript 2022, meant that Mustipher went undrafted that spring. However, the Denver Broncos picked up the former Penn State defender after the draft, and he spent the first part of his rookie season on the team’s practice squad. Mustipher joined the New Orleans Saints in December after the team signed him off the Broncos practice squad. The former Penn State defensive tackle tallied our tackles according to the official NFL record book, and PFF credited him with one stop on 42 snaps.
Mustipher will have to work hard to fit into the high pedigree of the Eagles defensive tackle room. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are college superstars on whom the team spent first-round pick in the last two drafts. Meanwhile, Milton Williams was a third-round selection in 2021. At 318 pounds, Mustipher will likely fill the one-technique role behind Davis, providing run-stuffing skills at the defensive tackle position for the Eagles.
Smith and Barkley aren’t the only former Penn State Nittany Lions on the Eagles roster. Former Penn State starting linebacker Brandon Smith spent part of last season on the Eagles practice squad after he was released by the Carolina Panthers last summer. Smith signed a futures contract with the team at the end of the 2023 season.
