8 former Eagles are on AFC, NFC Championship rosters

The Eagles are home after a disappointing finish to their season that saw the team lose 6 of their final seven games, including a 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card game.

One big reason for the downward spiral on both sides of the football can be found in free-agent losses that have thrived with other clubs.

As Philadelphia works to hire two new coordinators, eight former Eagles are set to play in the AFC and NFC title games, including two All-Pro caliber talents and one safety who should still be on the roster.

Javon Hargrave -- 49ers

Nov 23, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) celebrates after a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Hargrave (6-2, 305) was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round (89th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

During his seven-year NFL career with the Steelers (2016-19) and Philadelphia Eagles (2020-22), Hargrave appeared in 111 games (96 starts) and registered 329 tackles, 37.5 sacks, six passes defensed, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

Hargrave has also appeared in eight postseason contests and added 22 tackles, 3.0 sacks and one pass defensed. He was selected to the 2022 Pro Bowl following his second season with Philadelphia.

Last season with the Eagles, Hargrave started all 17 games and finished with 60 tackles, a career-high 11.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two passes defensed and one forced fumble. He also started all three postseason games and notched nine tackles, 1.0 sack and one pass defensed.

Matt Pryor --San Francisco 49ers

Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Pryor (6-7, 332) was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round (206th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. Pryor has appeared in 73 regular season games (24 starts) and started one postseason contest. In 2023, Pryor appeared in 13 games with the team before being waived on December 25.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson--Detroit Lions

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 21: C.J. Gardner-Johnson #2 of the Detroit Lions returns an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Gardner-Johnson’s six interceptions were tied for first in the NFL even though he played in just 12 games because of a lacerated kidney suffered mid-season.

Kayode Awosika--Detroit Lions

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson shakes hands with guard Kayode Awosika during warmups before the NFC divisional playoff game between the Lions and Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday, Jan, 21, 2024.

The former University of Buffalo offensive guard has played in 21 games with five starts since departing the Eagles after one season.

Nate Sudfeld--Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) makes a pass against New York Giants during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

Sudfeld spent three seasons with the Eagles, playing in four games, with 188 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai--Detroit Lions

Sep 7, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Detroit Lions guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) on the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Vaitai spent four years with the Eagles, playing in 55 regular season games, with 16 starts in his final two seasons.

Nelson Agholor--Baltimore Ravens

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the second quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Agholor spent his first five NFL seasons with the Eagles, posting 2,575 receiving yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11.2 yards per catch.

Agholor was at his best, logging a team-high nine catches (11 targets) for 84 yards in Philadelphia’s 41-33 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Ronald Darby--Baltimore Ravens

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (86) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Ronald Darby has played 9 seasons for 5 teams, including the Eagles and Broncos. He has 337 solo tackles, 54 assists, 1 fumble recovery and 8 interceptions.

Darby started 27 games for Philadelphia, logging 114 tackles, and 6 of his 8 career interceptions.