Eagles Lose 2 Key Defensive Players in Free Agency

Patrick Robinson was so bad during training camp last summer, there were plenty of people who thought he wasn't even going to make it to the season. 

Then he became a huge part of the Eagles' winning Super Bowl LII. 

And now he's heading back to where his up-and-down career began. 

Robinson has agreed to terms of a four-year contract with the Saints, who drafted him in the first round of the 2010 draft, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport also said the Eagles were close to a new contract with Robinson on Monday, but it never got hammered out. Earlier in the week, Rapoport said he expected the Eagles to get a deal done with the corner. 

Robinson, 30, came to the Eagles on a one-year prove-it deal and eventually he proved that his career was far from over. At times during the 2017 season, he was the Eagles' best cornerback. And his pick-6 in the NFC Championship Game was one of the most important plays of the season. 

The big turning point during Robinson's time with the Eagles came when the team traded for Ronald Darby. That move forced Robinson into the slot corner role and he shined. He tied a career-high with four interceptions in 2017. 

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Earlier on Wednesday, the Eagles brought back linebacker Nigel Bradham on a five-year deal, so it likely made it tougher to also re-sign Robinson. 

The good news for the Eagles is they have a stable of young cornerbacks they should feel confident in. Robinson's moving on will mean more youth at the position that includes Jalen Mills, Darby, Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas. 

Robinson is heading to New Orleans and defensive tackle Beau Allen is signing a deal with Tampa Bay, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.

Allen said his farewells to Philadelphia on Wednesday after the Eagles agreed to a contract with former All-Pro Haloti Ngata (see story)

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