Eagles sign former Broncos Safety Caleb Sterns: All you need to know

The Philadelphia Eagles made a minor roster move on Sunday but one that could pay dividends. The team released recently-signed LB Shaq Quarterman and poached the recently-released Caleb Sterns in a corresponding move.

Sterns was drafted by Denver in the fifth round back in 2021, meaning that he has experience with Eagles Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio. He recorded 2 interceptions in that rookie season as well as 5 pass breakups, 2 sacks, and over 25 combined tackles. However, he’s struggled to stay healthy, having played just 6 games over the last 2 years.

His summer has been very quiet due to recovering from a torn patellar tendon. After being released by the Broncos, he did catch on with the Panthers but failed a physical due to not being fully healthy. The Broncos had previously seemed optimistic about the remainder of camp and getting him back into the thick of the action, but it looked as though he was too far away to make an impact for a position that desperately needed stability.

The Eagles are in a not too dissimilar situation. Depth is light at the position, but they do have entrenched starters for the season ahead. Sterns has schematic experience and is a Swiss-army knife who can be effective in the box both against the run and as a pass-rusher, while his ball-production speaks for itself. The biggest question for Sterns will be one of availability.

As for the player released to make way for the signing, Shaq Quarterman’s tenure in Philadelphia was short-lived. Strong preseason outings against Baltimore from both Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. likely played a hand in this decision, giving Eagles GM Howie Roseman the confidence to trim some fat at linebacker and add another DB who won’t have the pressure to play immediately and can be eased into practices slowly, with the upside of an impact player who can be a valuable asset for Fangio’s defense.