Eagles glad to welcome back Trotter

"I met some great people there, but I didn't enjoy it for the simple fact that we weren't winning," Trotter said. "It was an experience, but I can't say it was a great experience."

The Redskins went 12-20 in Trotter's two seasons with Washington under coach Steve Spurrier. After Trotter was released in a cost-cutting move, he reached out to the Eagles.

The first step toward mending the frayed relationship had already come a year earlier when Reid called to wish Trotter well after a season-ending knee injury.

Trotter called Reid early this summer, not fishing for a job, but just to apologize for his behavior in his final days with Philadelphia and for how he handled his departure.

"When you've grown in areas like I've grown -- spiritually and as a person -- I don't think it was hard to do," Trotter said. "When everything hits the fan, you realize who's there for you."