Kyzir White's first Eagles game is a dagger in Chargers fans' hearts
By Mike Luciano
The Los Angeles Chargers underwent a serious facelift on the defensive side of the ball in the offseason. While names like Khalil Mack are coming in to help Justin Herbert's squad compete for a championship, Kyzir White had to be sent away as part of the roster remake.
White joined the Philadelphia Eagles after failing to earn a second contract with the Chargers. White's game was annoying, as his very clear athletic potential was overshadowed by the fact that he was often bulldozed by bigger running backs and more athletic tight ends. Philly is taking a chance on White's long-term potential.
Philadelphia is banking on White's roller-coaster play being the result of lacking a defined role in Los Angeles. Whatever the Eagles are doing with White behind the scenes is paying dividends based on how he has performed since training camp started.
During a preseason loss against the Jets, White jumped a route and intercepted one of Zach Wilson's passes, showing the quick reactions that he didn't always exhibit during his time with the Chargers. If White keeps this play up, LA deciding to let him leave could come back to bite them in the rear.
Kyzir White is playing well after leaving the Los Angeles Chargers.
White is one of the biggest reasons that tackles may not be the best way to evaluate linebacker play. While White started all 17 games during his final season in LA and recorded 144 tackles to go along with two interceptions, his style of play was too frustrating for the Chargers to bring back on a long-term deal.
Eagles camp has been dominated by White, who was converted to linebacker in the pros after spending his college career at West Virginia as a defensive back. Watching him dominate in Philly right after LA gave up on him would be a punch in the gut.
Even though Kenneth Murray is working through injuries, LA seems willing to give him one more season with the current linebacking core. Drue Tranquill overcame his lost 2020 season and looks ready (when healthy) to fill the hole White vacated. Both of these players will need to hit the ground running.
If White carries this level of play over to the preseason, LA might have some serious regret over allowing him to leave on a relatively cheap deal. It'll be up to Tranquill and the rest of the linebackers to make White nothing more than a distant memory.