Eagles Officially Signed a $105 million Trade Deal With 25-Year-Old QB, Despite FA Moves.
When Matt Hennessy drove past Lincoln Financial Field on his way to officially sign with the Eagles, he got shivers.
Hennessy remarked, “Philly is like a second home to me.”
The offensive lineman attended Temple University in North Philadelphia to play collegiate football. Having played his home games at Lincoln Financial Field with Temple, Hennessy is accustomed to the welcoming atmosphere there. Since 2003, the South Philadelphia stadium has been home to the Owls.
At Temple, Hennessy met Toni, his wife. In July 2023, the couple tied the knot in Philadelphia’s Parkway Central Library. Toni Hennessy attended graduate school at Thomas Jefferson University, therefore the Hennessys stayed in the city even after being picked by the Atlanta Falcons in 2020.
“It’s amazing to have the opportunity to play in a place that is so close to me,” Hennessy stated. “We spend a lot of time here and love the city.”
In the two years he had left at Temple (2018–19), the coaching staff gave Hennessy a single number (No. 3). Former head coach Al Golden instituted single-digit jerseys in 2009, which are given to the team’s toughest, most dedicated players who exemplify the Temple TUFF mindset. NCAA regulations prevented Hennessy, an offensive lineman, from having even one digit on his jersey. The native of Nyack, New York, continued to wear the number on his jersey during practice and on his helmet during games.
In their last two seasons at Temple, Eagles linebackers Shaun Bradley (No. 5) and Haason Reddick (No. 7) were both given single digit awards. Hennessy played with Reddick in his rookie year and Bradley for the entire four-year period (2016–19).
“It was huge for me, really because of the guys who wore it before me,” Hennessy stated. “That is what made it special.”
Hennessy brings not only the toughness he developed in North Philadelphia but also a wide range of skills and in-depth game understanding.
Hennessy trained at several interior offensive line positions during his time in college and the pros. Hennessy now has a more “holistic” grasp of the offense because to his expertise of those roles. Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland searches for individuals that can play a variety of roles along the offensive line.
“All the interior three (positions), you can move them interchangeably, and you need to be able to do that to stick around in the NFL,” Hennessy stated. “That is something I am willing to do and want to do.”
