Eagles Add Former Chiefs Running Back Following A.J. Brown Trade
The Philadelphia Eagles continued reshaping their roster this offseason, making changes on both sides of the ball. While much of the attention has focused on the departure of star receiver A.J. Brown, the Eagles also bolstered their backfield by signing running back Elijah Mitchell, a former standout looking to revive his career.
Mitchell’s NFL journey has been marked by flashes of brilliance and a string of unfortunate injuries. A sixth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, he quickly emerged as one of the league’s most promising young runners. Operating in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, Mitchell rushed for 963 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry as a rookie. He also contributed as a receiver and showcased elite speed after posting a 4.35-second 40-yard dash during pre-draft workouts.
At the time, many believed Mitchell was positioned to become San Francisco’s long-term answer at running back. However, injuries derailed that trajectory.
Injuries Altered a Promising Career Path
Mitchell suffered an MCL injury in the opening game of the 2022 season, landing on injured reserve and opening the door for the 49ers to acquire Christian McCaffrey. By the time Mitchell returned, McCaffrey had become the focal point of the offense.
His injury troubles continued later that season with another MCL setback, making it increasingly difficult to reclaim a significant role. The situation worsened in 2024 when a hamstring injury sidelined him for the entire season before it even began.
After his time in San Francisco ended, Mitchell briefly joined the Kansas City Chiefs for the 2025 season. His stint there was short-lived, leading to a move to the New England Patriots before being released in April. Philadelphia has now become the latest stop in his NFL career.
Opportunity Awaits in Philadelphia
Mitchell enters a running back room headlined by Saquon Barkley. Behind Barkley, the Eagles feature Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Dameon Pierce.
That depth chart could provide Mitchell with an opportunity to carve out a meaningful role. While injuries have limited him in recent years, his 2021 rookie campaign remains more productive than any season posted by the other reserve backs currently on Philadelphia’s roster. If he can stay healthy and regain the explosiveness he displayed early in his career, Mitchell could become an ideal complement to Barkley’s power-running style.
Eagles Officially Move On From A.J. Brown
Meanwhile, Philadelphia has formally closed the chapter on Brown’s tenure with the franchise.
The Eagles agreed to send the star receiver to the Patriots in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection. The move had been anticipated for months and reunites Brown with head coach Mike Vrabel.
Following the trade, Brown shared a heartfelt message thanking Philadelphia and its fans for his time with the organization.
From a financial perspective, waiting until after June 1 to complete the deal allows the Eagles to spread Brown’s $40 million cap hit across the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Philadelphia had already spent the offseason preparing for life without its former No. 1 receiver. The team traded up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Makai Lemon, acquired Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers, and signed both Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency.
With significant changes at both wide receiver and running back, the Eagles are entering a new era. Whether those moves strengthen the roster will ultimately be determined once the season begins.
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