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Isaiah Rodgers Pays Tribute to Eagles After Career Revival and Big Payday
Isaiah Rodgers Pays Tribute to Eagles After Career Revival and Big Payday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Former Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers didn't hold back his appreciation for Philadelphia during his return to the city this weekend. The defender, who recently signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, made it clear that his gratitude to the Eagles organization runs deep.
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Speaking to Jason Dumas of 6ABC at the Roots Picnic Celebrity Basketball Game, Rodgers expressed how much the Eagles meant to him during a difficult period in his career. "I love Philly. They gave me a second chance at life. To take care of my family. I'll never turn my back on Philly," the cornerback said.
Rodgers' appreciation stems from Philadelphia's willingness to take a chance on him when his NFL future looked uncertain. After being suspended for gambling violations in June 2023, the Indianapolis Colts quickly released him. The Eagles, however, saw potential and signed him in late August 2023, even though he would miss the entire season due to his suspension.
When Rodgers was reinstated in April 2024, he quickly proved Philadelphia's faith was justified. The UMass product became a reliable depth player and special teams contributor, appearing in 15 regular season games. He recorded 26 tackles, deflected four passes, and forced one fumble while also handling kick return duties.
His most memorable moment came during the postseason run. In a crucial divisional playoff game against the Rams, Rodgers made a game-changing play by recovering a fumble and returning it 40 yards deep into Los Angeles territory. The turnover led to a field goal that helped secure Philadelphia's path to another Super Bowl championship, where they defeated Kansas City 40-22.
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The investment paid off for both sides. Rodgers earned just over $1 million on a minimum salary deal with Philadelphia but parlayed his strong performance into a significant payday with Minnesota. His new Vikings contract includes $8 million in guaranteed money, representing a major financial upgrade.
Eagles fans will get their first look at their former defender when Philadelphia visits Minnesota in Week 7. It should be interesting to see how Rodgers handles covering stars like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, receivers he once practiced against daily. Regardless of how that matchup unfolds, Rodgers has made it clear that his time in Philadelphia left a lasting impact both professionally and personally.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
