8 Football Players who Played for Eagles and Lions
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played on both the Eagles and Lions.
Jeff Garcia
Jeff Garcia carved out a notable career in the NFL (and also excelled in the Canadian Football League (CFL)). Starting his professional career in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders, he won the Grey Cup in 1998.
Garcia then moved to the NFL, spending the most significant part of his career with the San Francisco 49ers (1999–2003), where he earned Pro Bowl honors three times.
Known for his scrambling ability and toughness, Garcia passed for 25,537 yards and 161 touchdowns in the NFL. Despite stints with four other NFL teams, he’s most remembered for his time with the 49ers.
Garcia Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (49ers, Buccaneers)
- 3000+ Yard Passing Season (49ers)
Ndamukong Suh
Ndamukong Suh is an NFL defensive tackle known for his dominant presence on the field and his aggressive style of play. He played college football at the University of Nebraska, where he garnered numerous accolades and emerged as one of the most dominant defensive players in the nation.
Selected second overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2010 NFL Draft, Suh made an immediate impact, winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Throughout his tenure with the Lions, he was consistently recognized as one of the top defensive linemen in the league, earning multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.
Suh later played for the Dolphins, Rams, Buccaneers, and Eagles. One of the team highlights of his career includes winning Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Suh Key Stats
- 1st Team All-Pro (Lions)
- Pro Bowl (Lions, Dolphins)
- Super Bowl Champ (Buccaneers)
Haloti Ngata
Haloti Ngata was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 1st round, 12th overall, in the 2006 NFL Draft. A dominant defensive tackle, Ngata played in the NFL for 13 seasons, spending time with the Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles.
In Baltimore, Ngata became a cornerstone of the defense, earning five consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2009 to 2013 and receiving First-Team All-Pro honors in 2010 and 2011. He was known for his strength, agility, and ability to disrupt offensive lines, making him one of the most feared interior defensive linemen of his era.
Ngata’s contributions helped lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl XLVII victory in the 2012 season. Over his career, he recorded 517 tackles, 32.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions. His versatile skill set and consistent performance solidified his reputation as a premier defensive talent during his time in the league.
Ngata Key Stats
- 1st Team All-Pro (Ravens)
- Pro Bowl (Ravens)
- Super Bowl Champ (Ravens)
Rodney Peete
Rodney Peete is a former quarterback who had a long career in the NFL. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 6th round of the 1989 NFL Draft.
Peete played for the Lions from 1989 to 1993 and would go on to play for several other NFL teams including the Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Raiders, and Panthers. Over the course of his career, Peete threw for more than 16,000 yards and 76 touchdowns.
While he never made it to a Pro Bowl, Peete was a reliable starter for several years, particularly during his time with the Lions. His longevity in the league is a rarity for a player who was not a high draft pick.
Golden Tate
Golden Tate was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Tate spent his first four NFL seasons with the Seahawks and was part of the team that won Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos.
After leaving the Seahawks, Tate signed with the Detroit Lions, where he played from 2014 to 2018. During his time in Detroit, he earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2014 and was one of Matthew Stafford’s favorite targets. Tate amassed over 1,000 receiving yards in three of his seasons with the Lions.
Tate was then traded to the Philadelphia Eagles midway through the 2018 season. He spent the rest of that year with the Eagles before signing with the New York Giants for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Tate Key Stats
- Pro Bowl (Lions)
- Super Bowl Champ (Seahawks)
- 1000+ Receiving Yard Season (Lions)
Ty Detmer
Ty Detmer was drafted in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Detmer went on to play for several teams throughout his career, including the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and the Detroit Lions.
In terms of individual accolades, Detmer won the Heisman Trophy in 1990 while playing for Brigham Young University. Despite his success in college, he was primarily a backup in the NFL, starting only 25 games over his 14-season career.
Detmer had some bright spots during his time with the Eagles, where he started some games and threw for almost 3,000 yards in the 1996 season. However, he was unable to maintain a starting role for an extended period due to injuries and competition.
Chase Daniel
Chase Daniel is an NFL quarterback known for his reliable presence as a backup. After a successful college career at Missouri, Daniel went undrafted in 2009 but was picked up by the New Orleans Saints.
He was part of the Super Bowl-winning team in his rookie year, although in a backup role to Drew Brees. Over his career, Daniel has also had stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Having started only 5 games in his career, but with lifetime earnings topping $40 million, Daniel has become one of the most well-known backup quarterbacks in NFL history.
Josh McCown
Josh McCown, known for his resilience and adaptability, carved out a noteworthy 17-year career in the NFL – mostly as a reliable backup quarterback.
From his entry into the league with the Arizona Cardinals in 2002, he played for 9 different teams, a few times as the starting QB, but also stepping in and performing effectively whenever called upon when he wasn’t.
He threw for over 17,000 yards and 98 touchdowns, holding a career passer rating of around 80. Particularly impressive stints came with the Chicago Bears in 2013 and the New York Jets in 2017.
