It seems like Chris Long is going to be back with the Eagles in 2018 - at least he's leaning that way.
The Eagles gave Long a significant raise for next season, increasing his base salary from $1 million non-guaranteed to $2½ million guaranteed, but Long was still reportedly thinking about walking away (see story).
After all, money probably isn't going to be the only deciding factor for a guy who gave all of his salary away last season.
But after less than a day of speculation, Long's Waterboys charity had an event in St. Louis on Wednesday night and the veteran defensive end was asked about his future in the NFL.
"For me, at my age, every year is important to make a decision and to take self-inventory," Long said. "Is your body there, is your mind in it, do you have the passion? Because it takes a lot. For me, every year I'm one year at a time from here on out. For however long I play. Philly's been awesome, like I said. They kind of adopted me like family, so that definitely factors into everything. The chance to repeat.
"I'm still supposedly mulling it over, but I'm leaning on going back and playing. So yeah. I mean, I hadn't even answered any questions about that, but there you go."
Sports
In partnership with NBC Sports Philadelphia
Here's the video, clipped by Bleeding Green Nation, to hear Long say it for himself:
Chris Long speaking during @WaterboysORG event: "I'm leaning on going back and playing [for the Eagles in 2018]" pic.twitter.com/QgauRMgMiK— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 22, 2018
Long will turn 33 on March 28 and clearly has plenty going on outside of football, so it wouldn't be shocking if the former first-round pick decided to walk away. But if he did, the Eagles would clearly miss him.
During the 2017 season, Long picked up five sacks in a limited role and helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, a year after helping the Patriots win Super Bowl LI. If Long does indeed return to the Eagles this season, he has a chance to make it three in a row.
