The Philadelphia Eagles are making headlines in the NFL offseason, having moved swiftly to bolster both their offensive line and wide receiver corps ahead of the 2026 campaign. On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Eagles officially signed wide receiver Elijah Moore to a one-year deal, as confirmed by multiple reports and league sources. The move is part of a broader strategy to add depth and experience to key positions as the team looks to rebound from last season's early playoff exit.
Elijah Moore’s journey to Philadelphia is a story of perseverance, friendship, and untapped potential. Drafted in the second round by the New York Jets in 2021, Moore flashed early promise, tallying 43 catches for 538 yards and five touchdowns in just 11 games during his rookie year. But his path since then has been anything but straightforward. After two seasons with the Jets, Moore was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he enjoyed his most productive years. In 2023, he posted a career-high 640 receiving yards, and in 2024, he set a personal best with 61 receptions. Those two seasons saw him eclipse 100 targets each year and amass 1,178 total yards, demonstrating his value as a reliable target in the passing game.
Moore’s fortunes changed yet again in 2025, when he signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. Expectations were high, but Moore struggled to carve out a consistent role, finishing the season with just nine catches for 112 yards across nine games. He was waived by Buffalo on November 26, 2025, after the team signed veteran Brandin Cooks. Moore quickly found a new home with the Denver Broncos, primarily spending time on the practice squad. However, he was elevated for the AFC Championship Game, where he managed one catch for four yards in a narrow 10-7 defeat to the New England Patriots.
Now 25 years old and approaching his 26th birthday, Moore joins the Eagles with 209 receptions, 2,274 yards, and nine touchdowns over 70 career games. He enters a crowded and competitive wide receiver room that already boasts A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Darius Cooper, Johnny Wilson, Quez Watkins, and Danny Gray. The addition of Moore is seen as a move to create depth and competition, especially with ongoing speculation about the future of star receiver A.J. Brown.
The relationship between Moore and A.J. Brown has been a focal point of this signing. The two share a deep bond that dates back to their days as teammates and roommates at Ole Miss. Their friendship, described by Moore as more akin to family, has been a source of strength for both men. According to ESPN, Moore once said, “I wouldn’t even call it a friendship. It’s family. The things we’ve been through, the things we talk about, it has real substance. That’s someone who is connected to me in a way that’s more than … He’s blood.” Brown, for his part, has publicly credited Moore for helping him through difficult periods, including struggles with depression and mental health.
This personal connection has fueled speculation that Moore’s arrival in Philadelphia could influence A.J. Brown’s future with the team. Brown has been the subject of persistent trade rumors throughout the offseason, with reports of serious conversations between the Eagles and both the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots. However, as of late March 2026, the consensus among league insiders is that a trade involving Brown is not imminent. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was unequivocal in his praise for Brown following the team’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, stating, “It’s really hard to find great players. I think A.J. is a great player. I think that, from my perspective, we’re looking to improve in all areas, and you don’t do that by subtracting.”
Moore’s role on the Eagles will likely depend on the resolution of the Brown situation. If Brown remains in Philadelphia, Moore will compete for a backup spot and provide veteran depth behind Brown, Smith, and Hollywood Brown. Should Brown be traded, Moore could see his responsibilities increase, potentially moving up the depth chart and playing a more significant role in the offense. Either way, the Eagles are giving Moore another opportunity to reignite his career and contribute to a high-powered offense.
The Eagles’ activity in free agency has not been limited to wide receiver. On the same day they signed Moore, the team also re-signed veteran offensive tackle Fred Johnson to a one-year deal. Johnson, who turns 29 in June, was ranked No. 67 in The Athletic’s Top 150 free agents and entered free agency as the fifth-rated offensive tackle. He started eight games for the Eagles in 2025, playing 59 percent of offensive snaps while allowing a pressure rate of 5.6 percent and receiving five penalties. Johnson’s versatility and size (6 feet 7 inches, 326 pounds) make him a valuable swing tackle, capable of filling in for starters Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata when needed.
Johnson’s journey has also been circuitous. After signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason in search of a starting job, he was traded back to the Eagles before the 2025 season. His return provides Philadelphia with much-needed stability and experience on the offensive line, especially given the injury histories of both starting tackles. As Eagles lineman Jordan Mailata put it, “You can’t coach size, and you can’t coach effort. Those are two things he has. You watch the film, he has effort, but what makes him unique is his size. Not everyone with his size, his strength, can play the way he does.”
Both Moore and Johnson represent the Eagles’ commitment to shoring up depth and providing competition at crucial positions. Moore’s signing, in particular, is notable not just for his on-field potential, but for the emotional and psychological support he brings to the locker room, especially for A.J. Brown. The Eagles’ front office, led by Howie Roseman and senior personnel advisor Joe Douglas (who originally drafted Moore with the Jets), appears intent on creating a balanced roster capable of contending in a tough NFC East.
As the Eagles continue to navigate the offseason, all eyes will be on how these new signings integrate into the team and whether the chemistry between Moore and Brown will be on display once again. The wide receiver competition promises to be fierce, with Moore aiming to prove he can still make an impact at the highest level. Meanwhile, Johnson’s steady presence on the offensive line provides a measure of security as the team prepares for the grind of another NFL season.
With training camp on the horizon and the NFL Draft looming, the Eagles have positioned themselves well to address remaining needs and adapt to any unexpected developments. For now, the arrival of Elijah Moore and the return of Fred Johnson signal that Philadelphia is not content to stand pat. The Eagles are building for the present, but with an eye firmly on the future.