After hitting a massive home run with 2024 first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has found himself going back into the Toledo well time and time again in the last year.
It feels almost deliberate, but Roseman has made sure to target former Rockets defenders as the Eagles also have linebackers Lance Dixon and Dallas Gant. Add in defensive back Maxen Hook, and Philadelphia has a MAC party going on with the defense.
While these moves have been working out so far, there might be another opportunity for Roseman to add another former Toledo defender while sticking it to a division rival.
The New York Giants announced their first round of player releases as the team prepares to be at 53 men by Tuesday. A part of those cuts was former Rockets linebacker Dyontae Johnson.
The Giants cut LB Dyontae Johnson, per source. He had a real chance to make the roster last season, but a preseason injury set him back.
Healthy this summer but never gained traction with the Giants signing multiple veteran LBs this offseason.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) August 22, 2025
How Johnson could come in and help the Eagles in multiple ways
Johnson is in his second season in the NFL after not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Toledo. After the Giants signed him, he spent all of 2023 on the practice squad. He suffered an ankle injury in last year's preseason and missed most of the season, but did play in two games. He finished with 11 tackles in 54 snaps.
It wouldn't be the first time that a former Giant would join the Eagles in recent memory. Eagles edge rusher Azeez Ojulari and cornerback Adoree' Jackson both played with the Giants and might play major roles on the defense this season in Philadelphia.
While Johnson wouldn't necessarily be a starter on the Eagles, he could come in and help with depth concerns at inside linebacker. Rookie Jihaad Campbell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. have made huge strides in training camp and seem to be ready to be fully in the rotation. Another rookie, Smael Mondon Jr., has played well, too, but it's been a mixed bag outside of that.
The only question is when Nakobe Dean will recover from his late-season injury. Dean has been doing sprints and other drills before practice, but has not actually practiced in the offseason. He's more than likely not going to be ready for the regular season.
Read more:Eagles announce rookie replacing Johnny Wilson on roster after trip to IR
If the Eagles need depth at linebacker, Johnson has playing experience and has made the most of his time on the field. He's got familiarity with Mitchell and company from their time at Toledo. It certainly feels like this could be a perfect marriage in having Johnson come in and be a special teams ace for Philly.