Eagles Bring Back Ex-Bills Star

Philadelphia, PA – March 28, 2025, 11:00 AM PDT
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed veteran defensive tackle Linval Joseph to a 1-year, $2 million deal, bringing back the ex-Bills star to help fill the void left by Milton Williams, who signed a 4-year, $104 million contract with the New England Patriots this offseason, sources told ESPN on Friday. The move comes as the Eagles aim to bolster their defensive line depth following their Super Bowl LIX victory, while the Buffalo Bills, Joseph’s former team, continue to struggle with their defensive front.

Joseph, 36, played for the Eagles in 2022, appearing in 8 games and recording 20 tackles and 0.5 sacks en route to Super Bowl LVII. A 15-year veteran, he spent 2023 with the Bills, playing 7 games and tallying 12 tackles, including 1 sack, after being signed to add depth following DaQuan Jones’ injury. However, the Bills’ defense faltered in 2024, ranking 22nd in run defense (allowing 128.9 yards per game), a decline from their 2023 performance when Joseph was on the roster (web ID: 0).

Joseph’s signing aligns with GM Howie Roseman’s strategy of adding experienced veterans on short-term, low-cost deals, as seen with recent acquisitions like Adoree’ Jackson and Azeez Ojulari. With a projected market value of just under $2 million, Joseph offers a budget-friendly solution to bolster the defensive front alongside Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, especially after Williams’ departure. His familiarity with the NFC East, having played for the Cowboys in 2024 (2 sacks, 19 tackles), adds to his value (web ID: 0).

Eagles fans on X welcomed the move. “Joseph helped the Bills in 2023—great depth for us!” posted @EaglesNation. Another fan added, “Bills’ loss is our gain—let’s keep that D-line strong!” (@PhillyFanatic). With $18.125 million in cap space, Joseph’s return could help the Eagles maintain their championship form.