Will

Parks

Parks was waived by the Jets in mid-December but will be back with the team to start 2023. The veteran safety appeared in 11 games for the Jets this season, playing both safety positions while also seeing some work at cornerback.

The 28-year-old veteran had appeared in 11 games this season, making one start. Experienced with position versatility and special teams value, Parks could earn a look or two on waivers.

Parks made four 2021 starts between the Jets and Dolphins. Now 28, Parks could be best suited for linchpin special teams work at this point of his career.

The ex-Bronco was briefly with the Dolphins last season before making three appearances for the Jets. He began last offseason with the Chiefs. By re-signing now, Parks’ 53-man roster odds go up a bit, though it will be far from a guarantee for the 27-year-old.

Parks can play in the slot and at free safety but doesn’t excel at either. He played in Denver for four seasons before being signed by the Eagles last offseason, only to be waived in December. Parks played a mix of special teams and defense for the Eagles before landing back in Denver to close out the season. He will play a similar role in Kansas City if he can hang on the roster through the summer.

Parks left in free agency last offseason after spending the first four years of his career with the Broncos. He’s back where it all began and will pitch in as a sub-package defensive back and special teams contributor after things didn’t work out in Philly.

It’s a surprising move for the Eagles’ typically thin secondary, though Parks was playing just 10-20 weekly snaps. He had a bad game Monday night against the Seahawks, and that was apparently enough for GM Howie Roseman to move on. The 26-year-old was signed away from the Broncos after four successful years as a reserve. COVID complicates everything, but Parks will probably find a new home, perhaps in the form of a waiver claim, quickly.

The Eagles now have three weeks to either activate Parks or shut him down. The latter will not be happening, as Philadelphia-area reporter Adam Caplan reports the team still has “big plans for him once he’s ready to go.” Parks was signed away from the Broncos during free agency, though he’s made only 15 starts in four years. The 26-year-old is capable of playing multiple positions, something that will come in handy in injury-ravaged Philadelphia.

Signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, Parks is expected to help replace Malcolm Jenkins in Philly. The Eagles’ safety trio will likely be Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills and either Marcus Epps or fourth-round rookie K’Von Wallace to open the year.

A former sixth-rounder who grew up in Philadelphia, Parks has spent his first four NFL seasons with the Broncos where he made 15 career starts. Parks has played in the slot and at free safety but has been a below-average contributor. Parks will be one piece of the puzzle in replacing Malcolm Jenkins.