A sort of homecoming for new edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie
Former Eagles CB Darius Slay retires. Birds sign WR Hollywood Brown.
From The Reporter: https://tinyurl.com/mvawtmrb
PHILADELPHIA — Arnold Ebiketie remembers when he became an Eagles fan.
The edge rusher, a native of Cameroon, was a freshman at Temple University in 2017 and witnessed the city’s first Super Bowl championship celebration.
“We all know how the city gets after a Super Bowl here in Philly,” Ebiketie said at his introductory news conference Monday. “I remember being a young kid at Temple and walking from Cecil B. Moore all the way down Broad Street.
“The whole city rallies around the team. You see the passion everywhere. It’s hard not to get caught up in it. … Coming back to the same city at this stage of my career is something I’m grateful for.”
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Ebiketie, who played three seasons with the Owls before transferring to Penn State, signed a one-year, $7.3 million contract with the Eagles on Friday. It had been a whirlwind week for him and his family, who welcomed a new baby girl named Capri just as free agency was set to open.
“I was hoping she would have waited until after free agency … but she had her own plan, and she came out,” he joked.
Ebiketie, also known as “AK” (his middle name is Kevin), was drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. He adds rotational reinforcement on the edge after the Birds were unable to re-sign Jaelan Phillips, who left for Carolina.
In four seasons in Atlanta, Ebiketie started 12 games (appearing in 67) and had 16.5 sacks, 41 QB hits and 129 combined tackles. He’s hoping for a breakout 2026.
“I pride myself on effort and consistency,” he said. “I try to bring energy every snap. Getting after the quarterback is something I take seriously.
“Right now, it’s just about learning the playbook and getting comfortable with everything. I want to earn the trust of the coaches and my teammates. … I’m ready to get to work.”
Ebiketie, 27, who went to high school in Montgomery County, Maryland, spoke with defensive tackle Jordan Davis for 30 minutes before opting to sign here. He joins another high-profile Cameroonian athlete in Philadelphia, the 76ers’ Joel Embiid.
“I haven’t had a chance to meet him yet, but obviously we all know the type of player he is,” Ebiketie said. “And given the fact he’s from Cameroon as well, I feel like it’s big for the country — having different guys be able to represent Cameroon on a basketball stage and a football stage.”
Darius Slay hangs ‘em up
Former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay announced his retirement Monday after 13 NFL seasons that included six Pro Bowl selections. He was also awarded All-Pro honors in 2017, when he led the league with eight interceptions.
“Big Play Slay” helped the Birds reach two Super Bowls, including a championship in Super Bowl LIX. He was a locker-room leader who helped mentor Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean as rookie corners in 2024.
Slay also played for the Detroit Lions — who drafted him in the second round out of Mississippi State — and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Buffalo Bills traded for him in December, but he never reported to the team, saying he was considering retirement.
“This game put me in a position to take care of my family and loved ones and I'm forever grateful. It's hard to say goodbye, but God has a new chapter for me and I'm ready to turn the page and start my new journey,” he posted on Instagram.
Eagles go to Hollywood
The Eagles signed speedy wide receiver Hollywood Brown to a one-year contract reportedly worth up to $6.5 million Tuesday.
It obviously raises more questions about A.J. Brown’s future with the team, though Hollywood could slot in at No. 3.
The flashy Marquise Brown, 28, who hails from Hollywood, Fla., was drafted 25th overall out of Oklahoma by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. He went on to play for Arizona and Kansas City.
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Brown missed most of last season with a sternoclavicular injury. In 73 games over seven years, he has 371 catches for 4,322 yards and 33 touchdowns.
In 2021 with the Ravens, he caught 91 balls for 1,008 yards and six TDs.
He’s a cousin of former All-Pro and Pro Bowl wideout Antonio Brown.
The deal occurred on the same day Denver acquired wide receiver Jalen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a first-, third- and fourth-round pick. The Broncos also received a Dolphins fourth-rounder in the swap.
The Eagles let Jahan Dotson, the third receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, walk when free agency began last week after declining to pick up his fifth-year option last offseason.
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.
