Report: Highly rated Prospect Commits To Eagles
Howie Roseman’s quest for a safety led the Eagles to acquire Caden Sterns, a 24-year-old with three years of experience and four career interceptions.
The Eagles signed Sterns, formerly of the Broncos, on Sunday morning. However, it may be some time before he takes the field.
Sterns, a fifth-round draft pick from Texas, has been sidelined since suffering a torn patellar tendon in his left knee during the Broncos’ season opener against the Raiders last year. After being released by the Broncos last Monday, the Panthers claimed him off waivers but subsequently released him on Thursday due to a failed physical.
Sterns will join the Eagles immediately but will not participate in practice or games during his “ramp-up period.” During this time, he will attend meetings, study film, learn the defense, and recover until the Eagles determine he is ready to return to the field. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who was Sterns’ first NFL head coach, does not expect him to be on the practice field for at least a week.
“He was a good player,” Fangio said before practice on Sunday. “He moved well, had good instincts, good ball skills, and a strong feel for the game. We just need to assess his physical condition.”
The Eagles have limited depth at safety beyond starters Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox have both transitioned from cornerback to safety, with Bradberry now exclusively playing safety, while Maddox also continues to work in the slot.
Other safeties include Tristin McCollum, Sydney Brown, and Mekhi Garner (another converted corner), but Brown, Garner, and Gardner-Johnson are all currently injured. Garner (hamstring) hasn’t practiced since August 3, Brown is still recovering from a torn ACL sustained at the end of last season, and Gardner-Johnson (shoulder) hasn’t practiced since leaving early last Monday.
“It’s a position in transition from a roster standpoint,” Fangio noted before practice on Sunday.
Sterns had a standout rookie season under Fangio, becoming the first Broncos player to record at least two interceptions and two sacks in a rookie year. He added two more interceptions in 2022 but was sidelined after five games due to a shoulder injury sustained in Week 5 against the Colts.
“He’s only played six games in the last two years. I don’t expect him to be on the practice field for at least a week or so,” Fangio said. “We need to evaluate his physical condition, how he’s moving, and then proceed from there.”
To make space for Sterns on the 90-man roster, the Eagles released linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, whom they had just signed on Monday. Quarterman, a fourth-round pick by the Jaguars in 2020, had appeared in 63 NFL games without any starts. He didn’t see defensive action in the preseason opener against Baltimore and played just two special teams snaps.