NFL veteran safety Terrell Edmunds signed a new contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Edmunds has spent his entire career to date with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Safety Terrell Edmunds and the #Eagles have agreed to terms on a one-year deal, per league sources.
The former first-round pick started 75 games over five years with the #Steelers pic.twitter.com/XJOa9P5AGP
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 24, 2023
Terrell Edmunds, Philadephia Eagles, Agree to Contract
Edmunds has been a polarizing figure in the Steelers fan base. The Steelers drafted Edmunds in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. His brother, Tremaine Edmunds was also drafted in the first round marking the first time two brothers were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Lance Zurlein projected Edmunds as a third or fourth-round pick, which sparked controversy with his 28th-overall selection. Edmunds started 15 games as a rookie and recorded 78 tackles and one interception.
In 2019 Edmunds was second on the team in total tackles. In contrast to his running game defensive success, he allowed a 131 passer rating when targeted. Considering passer rating only goes up to 158, not ideal. He allowed four touchdowns and a 72 percent pass completion percentage as the team’s starting safety.
A play that heavily contributed to the Steelers still being alive in the postseason hunt today 👇🏼
Terrell Edmunds pass breakup on 3rd&12 saved what could have been around a 53-54 yard attempt for Justin Tucker. Underrated play in that game. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/y0YMPC1d7o
— Steelers Network (@SteelersNetwork) January 3, 2023
It appeared that Edmunds had rounded a corner in his development in 2020. He cleaned up his pass defense, improving from 131 to 70 passer rating allowed. He also recorded two interceptions and was not asked to be involved in the run game as often. Prior to the 2021 regular season, the Steelers denied his fifth-year option for his contract. In 2021, he continued his stretch of improvement only allowing a 63 passer rating when targeted. He started all 17 games for the Steelers and played 98 percent of snaps for the defense. Despite having a markedly better season, there was not a large market for Edmunds in 2022 and he returned to the Steelers. His 2022 contract was a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Edmunds struggled in 2022, recording only 70 tackles and allowing a passer rating of 116. He failed to record a single interception. The Steelers defense was riddled with injuries in 2022, so the verdict is out on whether Edmunds is the 2021 version of himself, or the 2022.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
