CFL Champions Want Eagles Defender if NFL Door Closes originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ safety room is buzzing with competition this summer, but there’s an intriguing subplot developing around third-year defensive back Sydney Brown that stretches far beyond the NovaCare Complex.
While the London, Ontario, native fights for a roster spot on the defending Super Bowl champions, the Toronto Argonauts have quietly positioned themselves as a potential landing spot should things not work out in Philadelphia.
Brown enters training camp in a precarious position. The Eagles revamped their secondary this offseason, trading veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston and drafting Texas safety Andrew Mukuba in the second round. That leaves Brown battling with Mukuba, returning starter Reed Blankenship, and Tristin McCollum for limited opportunities in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system.
The 25-year-old’s NFL journey has been a rollercoaster since the Eagles selected him in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His rookie year flashed serious potential, punctuated by a spectacular 99-yard pick-six against Arizona that had Eagles fans buzzing. But that momentum came to a halt when Brown tore his ACL in the season finale against the Giants, limiting him to just 79 defensive snaps in 2024.
Now fully recovered, Brown has returned to practice with determination and has taken first-team reps alongside Blankenship. Still, with the Eagles rotating heavily at the position and Mukuba’s presence adding pressure, Brown’s hold on a roster spot is anything but secure.
What makes his situation even more compelling is the “Plan B” quietly taking shape in Canada. The CFL’s recently released negotiation lists revealed that the Toronto Argonauts have claimed Brown’s exclusive rights. Unlike his twin brother Chase, who was selected in the CFL Draft, Sydney went undrafted, leaving him available for teams to claim.
“The London, Ontario native would be a massive fan favorite if he ever decided to come home, but this Super Bowl champion has much more to accomplish in the NFL before ever contemplating that,” CFL.ca analyst Marshall Ferguson noted after the Argos added Brown to their list.
The move comes amid rising speculation that Brown could be a trade candidate. With Cooper DeJean’s ability to flex to safety, and Fangio’s scheme favoring veterans with specific system fits, Brown may find himself on the outside looking in despite his upside.
Toronto’s move is a savvy long-term play. Brown’s Canadian roots and NFL résumé would make him an instant star north of the border. As the defending Grey Cup champions, the Argonauts continue to build their negotiation list with future upside in mind, recently adding names like Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
The CFL’s negotiation list gives each team exclusive rights to up to 45 players, many of whom are currently in the NFL or still in college. It’s a strategic way for Canadian franchises to claim a first shot at potential future signings.
With Philadelphia attempting to repeat as Super Bowl champions and a revamped secondary in place, Brown’s performance over the next few weeks will determine whether he cements his spot in midnight green — or becomes a prime candidate for a change of scenery.
Toronto may be holding his rights, but for Brown, the CFL remains a distant backup plan. He’s determined to prove he belongs on one of the NFL’s best defenses, and training camp will be his proving ground.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.