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From the Mud to Midnight Green — Ex-Raider Vows to Repay Eagles’ Faith: ‘Fighting for Every Blade of Grass’"

Philadelphia, PA – August 10, 2025

Jakorian Bennett’s road to Philadelphia wasn’t smooth — it was a grind that tested his will at every turn. From going unrecruited out of high school, to clawing his way through junior college, to earning a shot at Maryland, to the highs and lows with the Raiders, Bennett has lived the underdog life in full. Now, in midnight green, he’s promising to write his proudest chapter yet.

“PHILLY DIDN’T JUST GIVE ME A LOCKER — THEY GAVE ME A LIFELINE. WHEN OTHER DOORS CLOSED, THIS CITY OPENED THEIRS AND SAID, ‘SHOW US WHO YOU ARE.’ I OWE THEM EVERYTHING, AND I’M GONNA PAY IT BACK THE ONLY WAY I KNOW — BY FIGHTING FOR EVERY BLADE OF GRASS IN MIDNIGHT GREEN UNTIL THERE’S NOTHING LEFT IN THE TANK,” Bennett said after his first practice as an Eagle.

The Eagles traded for Bennett earlier this week, sending defensive tackle Thomas Booker to the Raiders in exchange for a cornerback who, despite size concerns, was one of Las Vegas’ steadiest defenders last season. At 5-foot-10, Bennett doesn’t fit Pete Carroll’s preferred blueprint for big, rangy corners — but in Philadelphia, size isn’t the only measure of heart.

Bennett enters a cornerback competition that’s been wide open since camp began. Quinyon Mitchell has one side locked down, but the No. 2 spot has been shaky, with Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson both struggling in the preseason opener against Cincinnati. Bennett, who is still learning Vic Fangio’s defense, knows nothing will be handed to him.

“I see an opportunity to compete and do whatever I can to help the team win,” he said. “That’s the type of player I am. I just want to help the team win.”

His career stats don’t tell the whole story. In his second NFL season, Bennett improved dramatically — holding opposing quarterbacks to a 52.1 passer rating and just 4.4 yards per attempt before a shoulder injury ended his year. That resilience, forged in the grind of JUCO ball and the uncertainty of the NFL, is exactly the mentality Philadelphia fans revere.

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio made it clear Bennett will have to earn his place: “We’re going to find out here soon. Just throw him into the action and see what he’s got.”

For Bennett, that’s perfect. In a city that celebrates grit as much as glory, he’s not asking for promises — only the chance to prove he belongs. And in Philly, he’s already decided how he’s going to repay that chance: every snap, every hit, every blade of grass.

Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side