Throughout their 87-year history, the Philadelphia Eagles have experienced nearly every high and low the NFL has to offer. The team has boasted some all-time legends, but has also rostered some players that are not associated with the team. Here are five you may have forgotten played in Philly.
5. Cullen Jenkins, 2011-2012
A part of the Eagles' infamous “Dream Team” offseason in 2011, Jenkins was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2003, and spent his rookie year playing in NFL Europe. Over seven seasons with the Packers, he collected 29 sacks, 40 tackles for loss, and 54 quarterback hits.
He signed a five-year deal with the Eagles worth over $30 million, and played fine during his time in Philadelphia, totaling 9.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and 19 QB hits, but the team didn't come anywhere close to meeting expectations, finishing the 2011 campaign 8-8 after starting 4-8. He renegotiated his contract following the 2011 season, and was released following 2012.
He spent the rest of his career with division rivals New York Giants and Washington Redskins, retiring after the 2016 season.
4. Nnamdi Asomugha, 2o11-2012
Another member of the “Dream Team”, Asomugha spent eight years with the Oakland Raiders, and for a while was one of the NFL's premier cornerbacks, making three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams from 2008-2010.
The Eagles rewarded him with a five-year $60 million contract that included $25 million in guaranteed money. Asomugha responded by putting up the two worst campaigns of his career, and was cut after the 2012 season, as he refused to take a pay cut. Expectations were incredibly high, as he and fellow free agent addition Dominique Rogers-Cromartie were supposed to form a lockdown duo, but both ended up being massive disappointments, as did the entire team.
Asomugha played three games in 2013 for the San Francisco 49ers before retiring on a one-day contract with the Raiders.
3. Mike Ditka, 1967-1968
Ditka played six seasons for the Chicago Bears, making five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. He was a top-10 pick by both the NFL's Bears and the AFL's Houston Oilers in 1961, but opted to play in the NFL. Prior to the two leagues merging, Ditka signed with the Oilers, although he would never play for them.
The Bears, whom Ditka had a falling out with, traded him to the Eagles in 1967, and the Oilers transferred his contract to Philly. In his two seasons with the team, Ditka caught 39 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns.
He didn't appear to be the same player he was two years earlier, and after two seasons, the Eagles dealt Ditka to the Dallas Cowboys, where he played four years before retiring.
2. Cris Carter, 1987-1989
Carter's story of redemption is well-documented, and he put together a Hall of Fame career over 12 years with the Minnesota Vikings, but he was actually a fourth-round supplemental draft pick by Philly in 1987. Carter didn't play much as a rookie, but over the next two seasons, he caught 16 touchdown passes.
It looked like he had many great years ahead of him with the Eagles, but in 1990, he was cut after the pre-season, to the surprise of nearly everyone. Later it was revealed that Carter was released due to his abuse of multiple drugs, an addiction he eventually overcame. The Vikings claimed him off waivers, and became a starter in 1991, gaining 1,000 yards or more in eight of the next 10 seasons.
Carter credits his release from the Eagles with being the catalyst for him getting his life turned around, yet his time in Philadelphia is not remembered as it perhaps should be.
1. Art Monk, 1995
A first-round pick in 1980, Monk played 14 seasons for the Washington Redskins, catching 888 passes for 12,026 yards and 65 touchdowns. He was named to three Pro Bowls and made one All-Pro team. He experienced as many Super Bowl victories as losing seasons (three).
He left Washington to Join the New York Jets in 1994, and played his final season with the rival Eagles in 1995, appearing in three games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008, and will always be remembered as a Redskin, as if his time in Philly never happened.
Legends playing for their division rivals is always odd and difficult to watch, but at least for Washington fans, Monk didn't play for the Eagles much.
Still, three games were three games too many according to the fan base.
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