Eagles New Guys D'Andre Swift, Olamide Zaccheaus Reveal 'Comforting' Reasons for Signing

The two recent newcomers to the Philadelphia Eagles know just how good both the quarterback and the guys up front are

PHILADELPHIA – Jalen Hurts and the offensive line.

Both were mentioned by running back D’Andre Swift and receiver Olamide Zaccheaus during their meet-the-press Zoom calls on Wednesday.

Zaccheaus, who signed a one-year contract in free agency this offseason, was asked about his interactions with his new quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"His demeanor in the building is, like, stoic,” he said. “I guess that's the word to use. Like he has a calmness about him and it's comforting in a way. I guess I'm kind of the same way in a sense, just like go to work and, you know, working for one thing - to win.

“So, you know, obviously like throughout the offseason, OTAs, training camp and, you know, we'll build that chemistry on the field. But seeing him throughout the building, he's had the success he's had for a reason for sure."

As for the Eagles' offensive line, it has already caused some sleepless nights for Swift, the running back acquired from the Detroit Lions on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft for a fourth-round pick in 2025 and an exchange of seventh-rounders in this past draft.

“Kind of stayed up the last couple of nights just thinking about it,” said Swift.

Swift is familiar with the Eagles offensive line.

He was in high school at St. Joseph’s Prep, not far from where the Eagles practice, and even practiced at the team’s facility when the Prep was preparing to play in back-to-back state high school championship games.

“It’s a great opportunity with this offensive line, with this coaching staff,” said the latest addition to the Eagles’ backfield. “I’m in a great running back room first and foremost with the guys that have been here. I’m just excited to get to work each day and be a piece to the puzzle.”

Just in case Swift forgot just how good the Eagles’ offensive line is, he got an up-close-look in last year’s season opener when the Lions hosted Philly.

The offensive line helped the Eagles' run game churn out 216 yards and four rushing touchdowns in a 38-35 win that was their first victory in what turned into an 8-0 start.

Swift’s line was pretty good that day, too. He ran for a career-high 144 yards with a 9.6 yards per carry average while adding 31 yards on three catches.

On his first carry of the game - and for the season for that matter - Swift broke free for 50 yards.

“Kind of wanted to get off to a great start,” he said about that game. “I knew it was a great opponent we were playing against the first game of the season, so I kind of wanted to jumpstart my season with a game like that.

“I remember the run. I remember a lot of runs basically the whole game. It was a good game for me. Should’ve won the game, but it was OK.”

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Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.

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