On October 29, linebacker Milo Eifler arrived in Arizona to try out for the Cardinals and then be added to the practice squad.
Four weeks later and after just his third week of practice with the team, Eifler had the honor of wearing the No. 40 jersey as Scout Team Player of the Week for his work before last week's game against the Seahawks.
He said: “I came here before the bye and tried to get used to a new team and a new system, having been in the league for a while and learning what the coaches wanted, being very detail-oriented. “ Coach JG does a great job of allowing players to learn their roles, but at the same time giving them the opportunity to expand their role.”
Eifler, who played college ball at Washington and Illinois, entered the NFL in 2021 as an undrafted free agent with the Jets. He has played 15 NFL games, including three and 10 for the Commanders in 2021 and 2022 and then two for the Falcons in 2023.
He played primarily on special teams and had six defensive snaps for the Commanders in a 2022 game against the Eagles. He was with the Falcons during the offseason and training camp this year, but was waived/injured on August 27th, placed on injured reserve the following day, and then placed on IR on October 21st before joining the Cardinals came.
Eifler said he had to “try to learn special teams, talk to (special teams) coach (Jeff) Rodgers and understand that and my position coach Sam (Siefkes), try to understand the defense, really pick up the tempo slowly but surely.” Refine (Know): If you're a practice squad guy, you're going to be a scout team guy most of the time.
“So I make sure I put in a little extra time watching the opposing team just so the offense gets the right impression and I know their middle linebacker is probably their best player, you want to emulate how he's going to play or what.” Style where the defense is such that it can help my game and our team’s preparation.”
Eifler was born in February 1998, two months before Tillman was selected in the seventh round of the draft. He also grew up in the Oakland area, not far from where Tillman spent his youth.
Eifler said it was great this week to “kind of recognize Pat Tillman and how he's honored by this organization and also being from the Bay. “I'm from the Bay Area, so it's always good to represent the Bay Area.
“It's just an honor to know that he was a hard worker and I'm proud to do the difficult work and do whatever it takes to help my team win. It’s an honor to be able to put on this jersey and it gives you an extra comfort on your shoulder.”
Noting how the Cardinals preserved Tillman's locker, Eifler said, “I took a photo of it and immediately sent it to my family. It’s nice to have some recognition in the building.”
This family includes his adoptive parents David Eifler and Rachel Morello-Frosch, both of whom are professors at Cal-Berkeley.
Morello-Foesch holds master's and doctoral degrees in public health and teaches in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management and the School of Public Health. In 2021, she served on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Board and was elected a member of the National Academy of Medicine the following year for being a “recognized expert on structural determinants of environmental health disparities” and a “leader in the application of community-driven data science.” .”
Eifler said his mother, a breast cancer survivor, counseled him during the pandemic as he considered whether to play at Illinois in 2020, which he did.
“Everything that had to do with health, she had an overview,” said Eifler. “She was so caught up in COVID. With their help, I took care of my health and tried to expand my horizons beyond football.”
That's why it's important to him that he wears the jersey of someone who has created a legacy beyond football.
Although Eifler is from Northern California, he said, “I didn’t know his name until I started playing for the Pac-12 in Washington. I didn't meet him when I was younger because I wasn't into football until I started playing football pretty late in my freshman year of high school.
“When I played at Arizona State in 2017 and saw his statue, I realized the importance of what he stood for. Now that you’re part of the organization, you can’t forget that.”
Winner of the 2024 Pat Tillman Scout-Team Award
Week 1: RB Michael Carter (practice squad)
Week 2: LB Markus Bailey (practice team)
Week 3: WR Andre Baccellia (practice squad)
Week 4: OL Jon Gaines II
Week 5: WR Xavier Weaver
Week 6: DL PJ Mustipher (Training Squad)
Week 7: S Joey Blount
Week 8: WR Chris Moore (practice squad)
Week 9: OLB Ronnie Perkins (practice squad)
Week 10: QB Clayton Tune
Week 12: LB Milo Eifler (training team)
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