The NFL owners meetings are currently taking place which means owners, coaches and GM’s all have time to discuss pressing issues in and around the league as well as meet with the media ahead of next month’s NFL Draft. For the reigning Super Bowl champions, it’s safe to say there was plenty to discuss when GM Howie Roseman stepped into the room. Here are the five biggest takeaways.
Michael Bennett:
In a revelation that comes as a shock to nobody, Roseman told reporters that he knew nothing about the Michael Bennett incident until Friday, when the news hit the rest of the world. This is completely understandable and the Seahawks also stated that they knew nothing of the situation either. The one man who did, is currently in custody. What this does mean is that it was an honest deal between two teams and it doesn’t appear that there was anything withheld during the negotiations.
#Eagles GM Howie Roseman tells reporters he didn’t know about the Michael Bennett situation until Friday. Same as the #Seahawks
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2018
The future of Brandon Graham is murky:
The Eagles have one of the best pass-rushes in the league and much of that success falls on the shoulders of elite defensive end, Brandon Graham. The veteran has patiently waited his turn while those around him received contract extensions and new blood was drafted. After a dominant 2017 campaign, Graham sits just one year away from entering free agency. Can the Eagles afford to get a deal done?
Roseman: Brandon (Graham) is a huge part of our team, deserves whatever he can get, at the same time we have cap pic.twitter.com/t738IYYOBo
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 26, 2018
That much is unclear. What is transparent is that Roseman appears to have the interest of the player at heart and is very aware of the limitations in place. It would be very easy to overspend and damage the team in other areas, but sometimes you have to spite your nose to save your face…which could well possibility as Roseman states.
Will Nick Foles return in 2018?
With so many quarterback signings such as Tyrod Taylor, Brock Osweiler and of course Kirk Cousins, it puzzled many as to why Nick Foles went un-traded for. The reason, may simply have been the asking price.
Howie Roseman, re: possible Nick Foles trade:
"We're not in the business of simply trying to give away [good players]."— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) March 26, 2018
The Super Bowl MVP is the best insurance policy int he NFL and would be priced like such. We’ve all heard the rumors of what the Eagles were asking in exchange for the services of their backup quarterback and they may be true after all. Roseman and the Eagles aren’t going to jump at the first offer they see and if it doesn’t benefit the team in a way trading a Super Bowl MVP should, then it sounds as if a deal won’t happen.
Chris Long will return:
Long had already spoiled this one at a public event recently, but it seems as if he will be competing for ring number three next year after all.
Howie Roseman confirms Chris Long is coming back to the Eagles in 2018.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 26, 2018
The Eagles restructured his deal to reward his gracious gesture of playing for free last year and the veteran defensive end looks to have agreed to those terms, remaining in the City of Brotherly Love for one more season at the very least.
The war is only just beginning:
Howie Roseman did not shy away from the fact that the Eagles lack draft capital. In fact, he made it quite poignant that things could change very soon.
Howie Roseman points out the Eagles only have six draft picks this year and they’re trying to acquire more.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 26, 2018
Roseman says the #Eagles will continue to be aggressive & aren't done retooling their roster…
— Inside The Iggles (@InsideIggles) March 26, 2018
The last time the Eagles were aggressive was….well, the entirety of the last two years. Roseman has never shied away from pulling the trigger on a smart contract or remarkable trade opportunity: (CC: Jay Ajayi and Sam Bradford). It’s almost become the norm to expect Roseman to do the unexpected and this offseason is no different.
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
