Trading Sydney Brown freed up cap space and a roster spot. What the Eagles did next tells the fuller story. Within an hour of the Brown deal being confirmed, Philadelphia brought in two veteran safeties, and the moves together outline how general manager Howie Roseman is thinking about the position heading into the 2026 season.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Eagles agreed to one-year deals with safety Marcus Epps and safety J.T. Gray, moves that came on the same afternoon Brown was packaged off to Atlanta.
The Brown trade already cost them Reed Blankenship, who departed for the Houston Texans in free agency days earlier. The safety room needed a quick answer.
Marcus Epps Returns With a Real Shot at the Starting Job in 2026
Epps is not a stranger in Philadelphia. The 30-year-old Wyoming product, originally a sixth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, played for the Eagles from 2019 through 2022, starting in the Super Bowl LVI season. After two years with the Las Vegas Raiders, he returned to Philadelphia last season.
When second-round rookie safety Andrew Mukuba fractured his ankle in Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys, Epps stepped into the starting lineup for four of the final six games and held the job through the playoffs. He finished with 21 tackles and a tackle for loss in limited snaps.
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Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) is carted off the field after an injury during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Across his career, Epps has started 53 of 100 games played and logged 3,779 defensive snaps. That experience matters now. With Mukuba still recovering and expected to be Philly’s long-term answer at the position, Epps becomes the leading candidate to line up beside him in September.
The #Eagles have agreed to terms with safeties Marcus Epps and J.T. Gray, both of whom get one-year deals, after trading S Sydney Brown to the #Falcons.
Epps spent 2019-2022 in Philly, while Gray has been All-Pro three times. pic.twitter.com/EQO8w8jbRi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2026
Michael Carter II, the defensive back acquired from the New York Jets at last season’s trade deadline, could also push for the starting safety role. Head coach Vic Fangio confirmed late last season that Carter was fourth on the safety depth chart, but a move to the position full-time is expected this offseason.
J.T. Gray Gives Philadelphia One of the NFL’s Best Special Teams Players
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Aug 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) in a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Gray has logged just 153 defensive snaps across 103 career games and has never started a single NFL contest. Last season, split between the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he did not see one defensive snap.
What Gray does bring is legitimate. The 30-year-old Mississippi State product, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2018, earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and second-team All-Pro nods in both 2019 and 2024 for his special teams work. Brown contributed on special teams too. Gray essentially slots into that specific role.
The safety room now consists of Mukuba, Epps, Gray, and undrafted free agent Andre’ Sam, who has played just three career defensive snaps. That is a group built around one unproven starter, one proven depth piece, and a special teams specialist.
Roseman has not closed the door on more additions. The Eagles moved up eight spots in the fourth round through the Brown trade and could target a safety in the draft next month.