The Philadelphia Eagles added another option to their crowded cornerback competition before beginning two joint practices with the New England Patriots.
Philadelphia signed cornerback Isaiah Bolden and released offensive tackle/guard Hollin Pierce in a corresponding move. The transaction exchanges one developmental player for another while giving the Eagles additional secondary depth following their 24-7 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Bolden, 26, was selected by New England with the 245th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound cornerback spent his rookie season on injured reserve before appearing in 14 games for the Patriots in 2024, recording 10 tackles and one fumble recovery while contributing primarily on special teams.
New England released Bolden before the 2025 season. He later spent time on the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad and joined the Louisville Kings of the United Football League in 2026.
Isaiah Bolden joins a crowded Eagles cornerback room
The timing gives Bolden an immediate opportunity to practice against his former team. Philadelphia will hold two joint practices with the Patriots before the teams meet Saturday night in the Eagles’ second preseason game.
Bolden gives Philadelphia another long, athletic outside cornerback capable of contributing in the kicking game. That versatility will be important because his path to the roster is not simple. Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Riq Woolen are established at the top of the secondary, while Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett, Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams, Michael Carter II, Shaun Wade, Ambry Thomas, Tariq Castro-Fields and Kapena Gushiken are among the players competing for reserve roles.
The Eagles have also been managing several injuries in the secondary. Mitchell, DeJean, Jones and Castro-Fields were unavailable for the preseason opener, creating a need for another practice body before two physical sessions against New England.
Hollin Pierce was facing difficult roster odds
Pierce originally signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted rookie from Rutgers in 2025. The 6-foot-8, 341-pound lineman spent portions of last season on the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract in January.
His size and ability to line up at tackle or guard made him an intriguing developmental option, but Philadelphia’s offensive line competition left him facing a difficult path. Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens and Tyler Steen form the starting unit, while Markel Bell, Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Micah Morris, Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams, Michael Jordan and John Ojukwu remain involved in the reserve competition.
Pierce was already on the outside of our latest Eagles 53-man roster projection. His release creates an immediate opportunity for Bolden, who will have only a few practices and two remaining preseason games to make his case.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles sign CB Isaiah Bolden, release OL Hollin Pierce