Eagles agree to one-year deal with OL Matt Pryor
Key Insights
Reunion in Philly: Matt Pryor, 30, returns to the Eagles on a one-year contract after stints with the Colts, 49ers, and Bears.
Draft Pedigree: He was originally a sixth-round pick (No. 206 overall) by the Eagles in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Recent Starter: Pryor started 15 games for the Chicago Bears last season, primarily at right guard.
Strong Pass Protection: According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Pryor earned a 78.1 pass-blocking grade in 2024, ranking fifth among qualifying guards.
Versatility: Throughout his career, Pryor has played significant snaps at left tackle, left guard, right guard, and right tackle.
Why this matters: This signing adds experienced depth to the Eagles' offensive line room following the departures of guard Mekhi Becton and tackle Fred Johnson. Pryor provides versatility and will likely compete for the starting right guard position or serve as a key backup across multiple spots.
In-Depth Analysis
Matt Pryor's return marks his second tenure with the Eagles. After being drafted by Philadelphia in 2018, he played in 27 games with 10 starts over three seasons before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. He spent two years with the Colts, starting 14 games. A brief backup role with the San Francisco 49ers followed in 2023 before he landed with the Chicago Bears in 2024.
With the Bears, Pryor logged 15 starts in 17 appearances, primarily lining up at right guard (895 snaps). His performance earned him a respectable 69.9 overall grade from PFF, ranking 21st among guards. Notably, his pass protection stood out with a top-five grade (78.1), although he did allow 24 pressures and seven sacks. His run-blocking grade was 65.9.
This signing comes shortly after the Eagles added veteran tackle Kendall Lamm, signaling a clear effort to reinforce the offensive line depth chart. While Pryor primarily played right guard last year, his proven ability to play multiple positions (over 400 career snaps at LT, 100+ at LG, 1500+ at RG, and 700+ at RT) makes him a valuable asset. These veteran additions provide stability but are unlikely to prevent the Eagles from considering offensive line prospects early in the upcoming NFL Draft. Pryor is expected to compete with players like Tyler Steen for the starting right guard spot vacated by Mekhi Becton.
FAQs
Q: What position will Matt Pryor primarily play for the Eagles?
A: While he started mostly at right guard for the Bears last season and will likely compete for that role, Pryor's value lies in his versatility. He has significant career experience at both guard and tackle positions, offering the Eagles flexibility.
Q: Does signing Pryor mean the Eagles won't draft an offensive lineman?
A: Not necessarily. Adding veterans like Pryor and Kendall Lamm addresses immediate depth needs, but the Eagles often invest in the offensive line through the draft for long-term stability and talent infusion. They are still expected to evaluate top blocking prospects.
Key Takeaways
The Eagles are proactively strengthening their offensive line depth with experienced veterans.
Matt Pryor brings recent starting experience, particularly strong pass-blocking skills, and valuable versatility.
Expect increased competition along the offensive line, especially at the right guard position.
This move helps solidify protection for the quarterback and potentially improves run blocking consistency.
Discussion
Do you think Matt Pryor will win the starting right guard job, or serve primarily as a backup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Sources & References
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