A rollercoaster of events have unfolded on the defensive side of the ball for the Eagles so far in free agency. The team has brought back Hassan Ridgeway, Rodney McLeod, and Jalen Mills to go along with their biggest free agent signing -- Javon Hargrave. To go along with the departure of Nigel Bradham, the team has also let Kamu Grugier-Hill walk and granted Malcolm Jenkins his release.
The release of Malcolm Jenkins is the hardest pill to swallow for Eagles fans, the team will try to move forward without its leader, as well as its heart, soul, and voice. Jenkins was always seen in the middle of huddles pumping up his defensive teammates as well as the rest of the team. To put it drastically, the Eagles need to find a player who was just as important as Brian Dawkins was to the 2000s defenses.
So who will join the team to become it's newest voice? Or who will step up to become more vocal? Jalen Mills is volunteering as tribute.
After his re-signing was made official and Jenkins' release was granted, Mills took to social to tell Eagles fans he is ready to become to voice of the 2020 Eagles defense.
Jenkins has actually been grooming Mills to become the vocal leader ever since Mills' rookie season in 2016.
Mills ended up hyping up/breaking down pre-game huddles at least 10 times over the past four seasons. Here's a look at each of those speeches and breakdowns Mills led:
Obviously Mills isn't the longest-tenured member of the defense, as Brandon Graham holds that title (with Fletcher Cox close behind). There is a chance one of those two defensive linemen become more vocal with a voice that spreads beyond the d-line, but nobody should scoff at the possibility of the Green Goblin becoming the emotional leader of the Eagles defense in 2020 (and maybe beyond).
