March 20, 2023
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Zach Pascal will reportedly sign with the Arizona Cardinals, according to a report from Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
The #AZCardinals have agreed to terms with WR Zach Pascal on a two-year deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 20, 2023
Pascal and new Cards HC Jonathan Gannon were together with the #Colts and #Eagles, so Gannon knows well what Pascal can do as a well-rounded receiver.
When the Eagles signed Pascal to a one-year contract last March, the logic made a lot of sense, in that he was a well-regarded blocking wide receiver who could do some of the meat and potatoes stuff that J.J. Arcega-Whiteside did in 2021, but with the ability to actually catch the football when it came his way.
And that's essentially what he was for the Eagles, playing a minor role in the Eagles' offense as a pass catcher, making only 15 catches for 150 yards and a TD, but doing a lot of the dirty work that freed up star receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith to make plays.
Pascal was something of a victim of his unselfishness, however, as he had his worst statistical season as a pro:
| Zach Pascal | Rec | Yards | YPC | TD |
| 2018 | 27 | 268 | 9.9 | 2 |
| 2019 | 41 | 607 | 14.8 | 5 |
| 2020 | 44 | 629 | 14.3 | 5 |
| 2021 | 38 | 384 | 10.1 | 3 |
| 2022 | 15 | 150 | 10.0 | 1 |
In order for Pascal to return to the Eagles in 2023, he would have to accept once again that the ball simply wouldn't come his way very often unless something bad happens to Brown or Smith. While he accepted his dirty work role with the Eagles with pride, Pascal also wanted to have the ball in his hands more than he did in 2022, so it is not surprising to see him find employment with another team that lacks the Eagles' star power at receiver, assuming the Cardinals move on from DeAndre Hopkins.
Wide receiver is a sneaky-thin position on the Eagles' roster, and they'll need to add players either in the late stages of free agency or in the draft.
Updated Eagles depth chart here.
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