Sep 16, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Ben VanSumeren (57) before game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
The Eagles plan to "resurrect the fullback position," team owner Jeffrey Lurie told 94WIP host (and former NFL fullback) Jon Ritchie on Monday.
Lurie was on the air to join the radio station's celebration of Brandon Graham's career.
“We are going to try to resurrect the fullback position”
— Jeffrey Lurie on @SportsRadioWIP to Jon Ritchie
Sounded very serious about it. Says he believes there is a place for it in today’s game
The Birds experimented with using backup linebacker Ben VanSumeren as a fullback in 2024. The special teams standout played 22 snaps at the position before suffering a season-ending knee injury. VanSumeren signed a one-year contract in March to return to the team for the 2025 season, and he is now officially listed as a fullback on the Eagles roster.
Lurie's squad has other fullback options, as well. Former Browns tight end Harrison Bryant signed with the Eagles this offseason and has experience at the FB position. There's some talk that Kylen Granson, another free agent TE acquired this offseason, has the skill set to play fullback in the NFL. And defensive tackle Ty Robinson, the Eagles fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has some experience at FB from his time at Nebraska.
Reminder: Eagles free agent addition TE Harrison Bryant had six rushing attempts with the Browns in short-yardage situations.
Bryant converted five of them for first downs and the only failed conversion was a botched snap.
Eagles are prepared for a “Tush Push” ban. pic.twitter.com/sJRkO8qfYJ
Eagles DT Ty Robinson was a Fullback for 8 plays at Nebraska and scored on 7 of them
pic.twitter.com/mCBHH0IwEV https://t.co/sRtHpM6rLn
Some other teams may take offense at the notion that the fullback position is dead, waiting to be "resurrected" by the Eagles. Nine-time Pro Bowl FB Kyle Jusczyk recently re-upped his contract with the San Francisco 49ers, for example. The Baltimore Ravens were the only team that rivaled the Eagles' rushing attack last season, and they utilize Patrick Ricard at the position. The Texans, Dolphins, Raiders, and Falcons use FBs as well.
Patrick Ricard is the Football equivalent of a Hockey Enforcer... just an absolute bully out there. pic.twitter.com/pimCqVxu5q
Most NFL observers attribute the decline of the fullback role to increased emphasis on the passing game in recent years. But everything old eventually becomes new again, as evidenced by Lurie's comments.
Smashmouth football fans, rejoice!
