Eagles’ Isaiah Rodgers opens up on year-long suspension; what he learned, what aspects of his game changed

PHILADELPHIA – Isaiah Rodgers couldn’t help but celebrate when he caught a pass from Jalen Hurts and returned it for a touchdown during the Philadelphia Eagles’ OTA practice. The signal was clear.

Rodgers was back on the field. His game also appears back.

“I say I’m faster,” Rodgers said with a smile. “I guess that’s the only thing I can say.”

Rodgers made his presence felt during the two practices open to the media at OTAs, having the opportunity to roll with the first-team defense at cornerback with James Bradberry absent from sessions and Darius Slay not present at Thursday’s practices (the practices are volunteers).

The former sixth-round pick, who returned from a year-long suspension, had a few coverage plays that stood out. In addition to closing routes, the standout play was Hurts’ interception. Rodgers had a great chance to score the ball when Hurts was working to target the middle of the field, taking the leap when Hurts released the throw and easily catching the pass and returning the ball to the other side.

The Eagles secondary had a standout day, but Rodgers made the standout play. It could be more than just roster depth based on how the month of May plays out.

“I worked on my speed this offseason,” Rodgers said. “I worked on my hands. So I think making plays on the ball is the one thing that definitely influenced (for me) throughout this offseason. Just increasing my speed.”

Less than a year ago, Rodgers was an afterthought around the NFL. He was suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s gambling policy on June 29, when the Indianapolis Colts released him. The Eagles were the only team interested in Rodgers, as the cornerback admitted no other team reached out to him.

Rodgers wasn’t sure when he would return or if he would return. All he could do was practice as the Eagles were not allowed to contact him.

“I just kept my schedule as if I was still playing,” Rodgers said. “I used Sundays as game day, doing aerobic exercises and things like that. NFL Schedule and simply continued to work. I continued to prepare for those moments.”

The suspension humiliated Rodgers, who became a wake-up call for players even considering playing at the team’s facilities. Rodgers was caught placing bets at his own team’s facilities, admitting they were for friends and family in Florida (where sports betting was illegal at the time).

If it weren’t for the Eagles signing Rodgers to a one-year, $1.01 million contract, Rodgers’ NFL career might have been over. The price Rodgers paid is one he doesn’t want younger players to experience.

“The league doesn’t need anyone,” Rodgers said. “Rules are rules. They exist for a reason. You break them and receive consequences. If you don’t, you continue to be great. That’s something everyone should learn.

“I have to be that guy so that everyone around me knows or people around the league know that, you might want to understand those rules if you don’t want to be in my shoes.”

A mistake was made by Rodgers, which he confessed to. His responsibility is the reason the Eagles decided to take a chance on him.

Rodgers is not guaranteed to make the roster, especially in the Eagles’ cornerback room. That’s fine with him.

“I can do whatever the team needs,” Rodgers said. “I can play defense and get off the edge. I’ll do that too. Whatever coach asks me to do, I’ll focus on my playbook and study it.”