What Will the Eagles Do in Free Agency?

Dallas Deserted? No More Nakobe? Paid Day for Phillips? More Alliterations!

One month after the Super Bowl, time marches on. Adam Schefter’s phone endlessly vibrates in the distance. You binge YouTube highlights of a slot receiver that you’re convinced can get your team over the hump. Someone named @footballdouche69 tweets that they just saw your favorite player in a rival team’s airport, sending the fanbase into a tailspin. The ESPN design intern who makes the breaking news graphics hasn’t slept in days.

NFL free agency is back baby, kicking off on March 11 (with legal tampering, where players can unofficially agree to terms with teams, starting on March 9).

In the NFL, much like in life, change is the only constant. Through free agency, the draft, and an ever-growing salary cap, the league’s tools for parity create polarity. Gravity pulls teams at the top towards the murky middle. Talented contenders fight these forces to stay relevant. Bottom dwellers fight their nature to become competent.

The former is where the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves. With one of the most talented rosters in the league, the forces at play are doing their best to pull a loaded roster back to the middle. The Birds have 20 pending free agents before the bell tolls on the new league year. They are victims of their own success. Accumulating so much talent means that you simply can’t afford to keep everyone.

In recent years, Howie Roseman has been up to the challenge. Through strategic trades, excellent drafting, and savvy contract engineering, the Eagles have always managed to stay ahead. And while the chickens haven’t come home to roost, they’re definitely catching a ride in that general direction.

The Eagles are balancing the short-term goals of winning another Super Bowl with long-term goals of preparing to pay young defensive stars like Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, and Jalen Carter top-of-the-market money. Yesterday afternoon they made Jordan Davis the highest paid nose tackle in NFL history (rightfully so). After years of having an insanely talented, highly paid offense that Eagles will slowly give way to an insanely talented, highly paid defense featuring homegrown talent. In order to do so, sacrifices must be made.

The Eagles have rarely been big players in free agency since the beginning of the Nick Sirianni era. The Eagles have made 72 free agent signings since 2021. Out of those 72 signings, only five have signed multiyear deals. They usually rely on free agency to patch short-term holes on the roster or take a chance on undervalued players.

The biggest free agency year for Philly was in 2024 when the Eagles took advantage of a suppressed runningback market to sign Saquon Barkley, in addition to signing Bryce Huff (woof!), and undervalued players like Mekhi Becton, Zack Baun, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. In free agency, you rarely see Roseman pay top dollar for outside talent. He looks for undervalued players whom the Eagles can unlock (see: Zack Baun). Roseman has always prioritized building this team through the draft or bringing in young talent through the trade market.

So, before the league tampering period starts tomorrow, here are 9 things we can expect from the Birds in this big free agency period. Will they make the right moves to climb back to the mountaintop? Or will long-time listeners, first-time callers be blowing up the phone lines at WIP, saying the season is already over?

Positions of need

• Wide Receiver

• Tight End

• Safety

• Cornerback

• Edge

• Offensive line depth

• Defensive line depth

• Backup QB

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1. Jaelan Phillips is the Priority

The Eagles’ biggest free agent signing could be a player they already have in-house. Since Philly acquired him from Miami with a third-round pick, Jaelan Phillips has been a human bulldozer.

In 2025, the 26-year-old edge rusher ranked third in the league in QB hurries, had the 12th most pressures in the league, and the 4th most pressures on the Eagles despite joining the team halfway through the season.

Phillips is the best pass rusher available on the market, which means it’s going to cost a pretty penny to bring him back to South Philly. An extensive injury history could bring down Phillips’ value just enough for Roseman to resign him. But at his age and with his production, Phillips will be in high demand.

The Eagles are not only thin at edge rusher, but they lack the star power they’ve had in the past. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt benefitted immensley by playing across from Phillips. He is the rising tide that lifts all boats. Resigning the 26-year-old phenom would immediately make the offseason a success.

If they can’t bring back Phillips, I’d expect the Eagles to be in on Phillips former teammate in Miami, Bradley Chubb (who also played under Fangio).

2. Expect to Lose More Free Agents Than We Sign

The downside of having an uber-talented team is eventually having to reward everyone with a contract commensurate with that talent. No team has the benefit of keeping everyone (even when your GM is the NFL’s version of the boogeyman). To avoid talent drain while prioritizing playing young homegrown players, Howie Roseman has leaned into the compensatory draft picks system, which rewards teams who lose more free agent value than they gain.

To do so, the Eagles have been willing to let highly productive players walk in free agency to sign bigger deals elsewhere. Last year, the Eagles let players like Milton Williams, Mekhi Becton, and Josh Sweat sign with other teams. While they lost talent, the Eagles are expected to receive 2026 draft compensation in return to the tune of a projected 3rd, 4th, and 5th round pick, according to Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski. Expect much of the same this year.

3. So Long Dallas

Tight end Dallas Goedert was a touchdown-scoring savant this year. Dallas broke the franchise record for touchdown catches by a tight end with 11 touchdowns this year, also good for the 2nd-most touchdown catches in the league, tied with players like Tee Higgins and Trey McBride.

At age 31, Goedert will most likely be chasing the last big payday of his career, one that the Eagles are unfortunately not primed to give him. As the top option in a thin free-agent tight end class, expect another contender to bring Goedert into the fold at a number similar to the amount of gold coins Scrooge McDuck dives into every morning before breakfast. Goedert’s fit in the new Sean Mannion offense would be smooth, but that unfortunately isn’t how this cookie is going to crumble.

For the Eagles, that means they’ll be scouring a surprisingly solid free agent market for tight end talent. The draft will be an option as well, but it typically takes time for tight end prospects to adjust to the league. I can see the Eagles bringing in a couple of tight ends. Expect the Eagles to be in on names like former Pittsburgh tight end Jonnu Smith, former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo, or former Browns tight end David Njoku.

Another option proposed by Zach Berman of The Athletic is potentially trading for Las Vegas backup tight end Michael Mayer, who’s been underutilized sitting behind world-destroying tight end Brock Bowers.

4. Will Reed Jump (Blanken)Ship?

As one half of the Exciting Whites, Reed Blankenship has had immense value to the Eagles’ defense since joining the team as an undrafted free agent four years ago. He’s started in two Super Bowls and was a team captain last year. At 27, Blankenship has the potential to score a big contract in free agency.

Yet Reed’s value is hard to determine. It’s kind of like that Comfort Colors shirt from your local bar that you love, but you probably could only sell for $5. Reed is uniquely important to this Eagles defense, but it’s hard to tell how he could translate to a non-Fangio defense. He’s excellent in run defense and has come up with several clutch turnovers, but he also has his weaknesses.

The Cowboys (gross), who just hired Eagles secondary coach Christian Parker to be their defensive coordinator, feel like an obvious landing spot. But the free agent class of safeties is pretty solid. Reed is easily the 5th-best safety available. This is an unpopular opinion, but I could see a world where Blankenship tests the market and decides to come back to Philly on a reasonable deal. If he does decide to leave, I could see the Eagles bringing back Marcus Epps and being active in free agency to fill the hole next to rookie Andrew Mukuba, a promising young player but also one the Eagles don’t yet 100% trust.

5. Moving on from Nakobe Dean

Nakobe Dean had himself a year. The Eagles’ linebacker plays like a madman, the epitome of Vic Fangio’s tough and relentless defense. Dean had 4 sacks (the 4th most on the team), led the team in forced fumbles, and played so well that he kept first draft pick Jihaad Campbell on the bench.

Unfortunately, therein lies the issue. The Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell in the first round last year to join a crowded linebacker room. Because of that, they appear ready to let Nakobe Dean walk. Seeing Nakobe leave is heartbreaking. He is the heart and soul of this defense in so many ways. But if he left to join a team like Dallas, it would be gut-wrenching.

Needing to allocate resources elsewhere, the Eagles can’t afford to keep Dean at a number that makes sense for him. Expect them to move on.

6. The Wide Receiver Conundrum

I still refuse to believe A.J. Brown will be traded. Not because I don’t think he will be, but because I am self-admittedly delusional. As Doechii once said, denial is a river.

Because of the Brown conundrum, the Birds could go from having their cup runneth over with wide receiver talent to their cup runnething very…umm…under.

It’s unclear if Roseman will trade A.J. Brown this season. I’ve written ad nauseam about Brown and my belief that the Eagles should keep him to see how he looks in Sean Mannion’s offense. We know the asking price from Philly is high, as they’re looking for a 1st round pick, a 2nd round pick, and a player in return. If Brown is traded, the Eagles will be left with Devonta Smith and a bunch of random dudes (sorry, Darius Cooper hive).

Third-string wide receiver Jahan Dotson is also a free agent. Since being acquired from Washington, the former first-round pick has been underutilized due to the fact that Jalen Hurts is allergic to throwing to #3 wide receivers. A loaded offense can’t feed all mouths. But if the Eagles trade Brown, it could be a sign that they’re willing to bring back Dotson as their #2 target getter.

I don’t think the Birds would be comfortable losing one or both without a contingency plan. I also don’t believe they’d spend a premium draft pick (top 100) on a wide receiver at this juncture of the team’s timeline, which means they’ll most likely explore free agency or the trade market to acquire proven wide receiver talent.

Free agent options could include Sean Mannion’s old college teammate Brandin Cooks in a field-stretching role, former Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who’s familiar with Mannion from their time in Green Bay, former Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk, or recently released Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney. Each player is flawed, but could be suitable in a limited role.

But make no mistake, losing A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert in one offseason would fundamentally alter this offense.

7. Tanner McKee’s Market

The quarterback factory is at it again! The worst dude you know has been calling sports radio every Monday morning, saying that Tanner McKee should start for the Eagles. And while McKee might not be a franchise-altering quarterback prospect, he has untapped potential as a solid starter for an NFL team. The Eagles are expected to explore trading McKee to a team hungry for legitimate quarterback play.

McKee is the perfect bridge starter. A player who could keep a rebuilding team moderately competitive as they hunt for their quarterback of the future. A team like the Jets or the Dolphins (50% of the AFC East) comes to mind. McKee could also be a cheap flier for a team like Minnesota to take and see if he can be a human joystick for Kevin O’Connell. He may lack mobility and top-level physical traits, but he plays on time, has a quick release, and gets the ball where it needs to go when it needs to get there.

Unfortunately for McKee, Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, and Kirk Cousins will be entering the market, soon to be followed by Tua Tagovailoa. McKee’s demand could be suppressed as other players take valuable starting spots across the league.

We’ll see if the Standford Slingshot (trademark pending) can get a chance to show what he can do and get some valuable draft capital back for the Birds.

8. Depth along the trenches

The Eagles’ offensive line is in a period of transition, going from Jeff Stoutland’s scheme to the Shanahan-McVay style wide zone scheme under new offensive line coach Chris Kuper. Aside from that, half of the line (Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, and Lane Johnson) dealt with significant injuries last year that slowed them down.

As they look to recover this year, the Eagles need depth as backups Brett Toth and Fred Johnson hit free agency. I could see the Eagles taking fliers on offensive linemen who are suited for or familiar with this system, like Raiders lineman Dylan Parham or 49ers guard Spencer Burford.

On the defensive line, the Eagles weirdly felt the loss of backup lineman Thomas Booker IV, who they traded to the Raiders for cornerback (and man who can’t cover without committing pass interference) Jakorian Bennett. Depth behind Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis is slim. The Eagles could look at established veteran defensive tackles like Texans linemen Sheldon Rankins, or maybe a reunion with Javon Hargrave once he’s released from the Vikings. Expect both the offensive and defensive line to be a focal point in the draft as Philly gets back to basics by refilling the trenches with young, developmental talent.

9. New Adoree Jackson

Shout out to Adoree Jackson, who went from “very not great” to “pretty solid” in his time playing under Vic Fangio. Jackson is a free agent this year, but I think the Eagles will take a similar approach for the second cornerback spot across from Quinyon Mitchell this year. The benefit of having Mitchell and Cooper DeJean is the number of problems they solve for you.

The Eagles clearly are comfortable with a replacement-level player at that position who can be elevated by the talent around him. Maybe players like former Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome or former Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes fit the mold here.