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Illinois great and Super Bowl champion will be flying with a new flock this fall

After three seasons in Philadelphia, this former Illinois defensive back will be heading south to fly with a much dirtier flock of birds.
ByKellen Sherman|
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Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

It has been three years since we've seen former Illinois football defensive back Sydney Brown don the blue and orange, and he has experienced so much since his first day in the NFL.

After his stint with the Illini, Brown started his professional career as a third round selection, pick No. 66, of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He became a key rotational guy in Philadelphia's secondary, while also being a pivotal special teamer with a 76% snap count percentage in 2025.

It was a match made in heaven for Brown, as he was experiencing so much in such a short amount of time. But just one day before his birthday, he will be heading down south to join a new flock of birds via a trade involving some draft picks.

Brown will officially depart Philadelphia after starting nine total games for the team, recording a total of 86 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass deflections. He will be heading to an Atlanta Falcons defense that is still trying to elevate to the next level, especially after ranking No. 15 (326.6 YPG) in total defense and No. 13 (200.4 YPG) in passing defense last year.

Can Sydney Brown flourish with the 'Dirty Birds' of Atlanta?

Even with Brown being primarily a rotational piece on the Eagles' defense, he was still able to win a Super Bowl in his time with Philadelphia.

But as we all know, Eagles GM Howie Roseman always loves to tinker with his roster. He loves to make various moves throughout the year to keep fans guessing, as well as to never have his organization feel stagnant in any way. It's nothing personal; it's just business, and Brown ended up being a casualty of a business decision.

The good news for the former Illini, however, is that he will have a chance to change things around in his new home with new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski. He will have an opportunity to step out from behind the likes of Cooper DeJean, especially with a nickel corner spot opening up due to former Falcons defensive back Dee Alford leaving for the Buffalo Bills.

This should be a fun start to a new beginning for Brown, and a development that Illinois fans should keep an eye on as we move closer to football season.

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