C.J. Uzomah Returns to the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have welcomed back a familiar face, signing tight end C.J. Uzomah to their practice squad. In a corresponding move, safety Caden Sterns has been released to make room for him. This reunion comes after Uzomah previously spent time with the Eagles during the offseason.
Uzomah, now 31 years old, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft after an impressive college career at Auburn. During his rookie season, he quickly climbed the depth chart to secure a role on the team, ultimately appearing in numerous games even as a rookie.
After his rookie contract, he remained with the Bengals for three additional seasons before signing a three-year deal with the New York Jets in 2022. However, following an unfortunate knee injury in December and subsequent placement on injured reserve, Uzomah’s time with the Jets came to an abrupt end in March 2024 when he was released, clearing $5.3 million in cap space for the team.
Throughout his nine seasons in the NFL, Uzomah has played in 106 games, starting 82 of them. He’s made 192 receptions for 1,881 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also contributing significantly on special teams, where he was on the field for 44% of the snaps in the last two seasons with the Jets.
In April, the Eagles signed Uzomah for a modest price of $1.37 million for one year. Upon joining the team, he expressed his excitement:
“I wanted to come to a place where I felt in my heart that we have a great chance to win a Super Bowl this year. It’s the culture, the fans, and everything about this team and organization that I’ve observed as a spectator over the years.”
However, his journey with the Eagles was far from straightforward as he faced stiff competition from fellow tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Albert Okwuegbunam for a spot behind starter Dallas Goedert. Uzomah’s struggles on the field led to his release in late August, creating $435,000 in cap relief for the Eagles—an expected decision given his underwhelming performance as both a pass catcher and blocker.
Since his release from Philadelphia, Uzomah had been without a team until this recent signing. Fortunately, his MCL injury should now be completely healed, allowing him to participate in practices fully.
Uzomah’s journey continues with the Eagles.
For NFL fans, C.J. Uzomah is best remembered for his impactful stretch with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he made significant contributions in both the passing and blocking games. His return to the Eagles may signal a renewed opportunity for him to showcase his abilities on the field.
As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how Uzomah fits into the Eagles’ offense and what role he will play in their quest for championship glory. His experience and versatility could provide valuable depth at a critical position, especially in high-stakes games during the playoffs. With the Eagles’ aspirations high this season, Uzomah’s contributions could be pivotal on their journey toward another Super Bowl appearance.
In summary, Uzomah’s comeback with the Eagles is definitely a storyline to keep an eye on as the team gears up for the challenges ahead.