Eagles Make Further Veteran Addition to Offensive Line
No one knows better than the Philadelphia Eagles that having veteran offensive linemen as backups is a tremendous asset to have.
Both losing years in 2012 and 2020 can be attributed to a lack of experienced depth in the entire position group.
That won't be the case in 2024, though. The Eagles agreed to terms with veteran offensive lineman Max Scharping on Monday afternoon, the team announced. Scharping is 27 years old and has over 79 games of experience with 33 starts. He's played the past two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals after playing the first three years of his career with the Houston Texans.
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While Scharping does have experience at both guard spots, his most recent work has been on the right side over the last few seasons. He should provide plenty of depth inside behind third-round pick Tyler Steen and Landon Dickerson on the left.
The organization agreed to terms with free agents Mekhi Becton and Matt Hennessy over the last few months. The combination of both has totaled over 40 starts in the last three years.
Arguably the most interesting reality regarding the signing of Scharping is how different it is to the rest of the roster. On defense, general manager Howie Roseman has opted for younger players to grow and develop. At the skill position side of the offense, the Eagles have gotten younger as well.
Since the departure of future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kelce, though, the focus of the offensive line hasn't been about getting healthier - it's been about making sure the elite group stays the way it is with an all-time great walking out the door.
Scharping may not be starting right away, but he's the latest veteran to get a crash course in Jeff Stoutland University.