Javon Baker Chooses Eagles Practice Squad: Another Patriots Draft Miss Finds New Home

Remember when Javon Baker promised to “make people in wheelchairs stand up” after the Patriots drafted him? Well, the only thing Baker managed to make stand out was his reputation as one of New England’s biggest draft whiffs in recent memory. Now, the former fourth-round pick has officially moved on, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad after deciding a fresh start beats crawling back to Foxboro.

Baker Opts for Philadelphia Over Patriots Return

Baker had multiple options on the table after clearing waivers Thursday, including a potential return to the Patriots’ practice squad. Instead, the 23-year-old receiver chose to join the defending Super Bowl champions in Philadelphia, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Can you blame him? When you’ve got a choice between rejoining the team that just gave you the boot or linking up with an organization that actually knows how to win championships, the decision seems pretty obvious.

The Patriots were reportedly hoping to bring Baker back to their practice squad, but apparently, the feeling wasn’t mutual. After a disastrous rookie season that saw him catch exactly one pass for 12 yards while dealing with multiple off-field issues, He clearly decided he needed a change of scenery. The Eagles, with their depth at receiver and proven development track record, offer him something New England couldn’t: a real opportunity to grow without the constant reminder of failure.

Why Baker Failed in New England

Let’s be brutally honest here, Baker’s tenure in New England was a disaster from start to finish. The UCF product came in talking big, boasting about his ability to electrify crowds and make highlight-reel plays. Instead, he spent most of his rookie year watching from the sidelines, playing just 12 percent of offensive snaps while the coaching staff clearly lost faith in his abilities.

The on-field struggles were bad enough, but his off-field antics made things worse. Remember his Instagram meltdown over a traffic ticket that led to team discipline? Or how about missing curfew in London before the Jacksonville game? These aren’t the actions of a player who understands what it takes to succeed at the professional level. For a Patriots organization that prides itself on discipline and accountability, his behavior was unacceptable.

Even when Baker tried to reinvent himself as a special teams contributor during this preseason, earning praise from head coach Mike Vrabel for his gunner work, it wasn’t enough. The Patriots still cut him loose on Wednesday, choosing to keep other receivers who better fit their vision. That should tell you everything about how the organization viewed Baker’s long-term prospects.

Patriots Draft Strategy Under Fire

Baker’s departure highlights a bigger problem with New England’s recent draft strategy. Of their 2024 draft class, only quarterback Drake Maye and offensive lineman Caedan Wallace remain on the active roster. Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk and cornerback Marcellas Dial are both on injured reserve, while Baker has fled to Philadelphia. That’s a pretty damning indictment of general manager Eliot Wolf’s first draft as the team’s top decision-maker.

The Patriots invested significant resources in their receiving corps last year, drafting both Baker and Polk while also bringing in veteran free agents. Yet here they are, entering the 2025 season with questions at the position after cutting both Baker and Kendrick Bourne within 24 hours of each other. Bourne, at least, has visits scheduled with San Francisco and Washington, suggesting other teams value his contributions more than New England did.

Eagles Get Low-Risk, High-Reward Addition

From Philadelphia’s perspective, signing Baker makes perfect sense. They’re getting a young player with legitimate athletic ability who simply never found his footing in his first NFL stop. Philadelphia has the luxury of patience and depth at receiver, allowing him to develop at his own pace without the pressure of immediate production.

The defending champions have proven they can maximize talent that other teams have given up on. Their receiving room provides the perfect environment for him to rebuild his confidence and learn from established veterans. If he can stay out of trouble and focus on football, there’s still time for him to salvage his career.

The Bottom Line on Baker

Javon Baker’s story serves as another reminder that draft picks are never guarantees, no matter how confident they sound in their introductory press conferences. The young receiver talked a big game but couldn’t back it up when it mattered. His choice to join Philadelphia over returning to New England shows he understands the need for a fresh start, even if it means swallowing his pride and starting over on a practice squad.

For Patriots fans, his departure represents another missed opportunity in a draft that’s looking increasingly disappointing. For Baker himself, it’s a chance at redemption with an organization that knows how to win. Only time will tell if he can finally live up to that bold promise he made after draft day.