When a coin gets flipped into a fountain, it makes the same smallish splash as it crashes down into the water. It doesn’t matter if it’s a quarter or a nickel or a penny. The rippling effect isn’t too different. With that image in mind, let’s take a look at the Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason moves.
They made a series of tiny puddles instead of kick-starting a tsunami, prompting a lot of skepticism among fans still coming down off their Super Bowl high. Relax, Frankie, relax.
General manager Howie Roseman did what he had to do to navigate the salary cap in 2025, rewarding core champions like Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun with lucrative extensions while signing veterans like Adoree Jackson and Azeez Ojulari to value contracts. Remember, the Eagles are going to have to back the Brinks truck up for Jalen Carter. Ditto for Cam Jurgens.
So, everyone, please back away from the ledge and enjoy the spoils. The Eagles remain a stockade of supremacy, a bastion for brilliance, as one of the smartest organizations being run in professional sports today. They are always trying to turn weaknesses into strengths.
“It’s all I think about all the time. I’m thinking about what we’re going to do next year in August. I’m thinking about what 2026 looks like, what 2027 looks like every night when I go to bed,” Roseman said at the NFL Scouting Combine, via Dave Spadaro. “So, it doesn’t really change. … That’s my role. While I enjoy the team on Sundays, but the rest of the week, I’m thinking about next year and it’s very opposite to what goes on during the week.”
Looking at Weaknesses on Eagles’ Roster
1. Defensive Tackle:
Jalen Carter is the best defensive tackle in football. Debate that one at your own peril. Looking at the market, Carter could get $40 million per year. The Eagles are going to pay him. Don’t think twice about it. Meanwhile, depth at the position is lacking on the current roster. Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo are the only other two “names” on the depth chart, with Thomas Booker flashing here and there. The Eagles need a veteran body.
2. Safety:
Contrary to public opinion, I think Sydney Brown is ready to start. I don’t think the Eagles would have traded CJ Gardner-Johnson if they didn’t think the same thing. However, Brown does have a semi-significant injury history — torn ACL in 2023, plus a long rehab — combined with only six career starts in the NFL. Reed Blankenship is entrenched as one of the “Exciting Whites” … then, it gets dicey at safety. Lewis Cine and Tristin McCollum are fire extinguishers — break glass in case of emergency.
3. Edge Rusher
The expected departures of Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham did little to soften the blow at defensive end. The Eagles’ 41 sacks were tied for eighth-best in 2024, but only 22 of them came from edge rushers — and 11.5 of those sacks are gone (Sweat, Graham). And, as good as Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt were down the stretch (stars in the making), they are under-sized starters on a defense predicated on generating pressure without blitzing. It should be noted the Eagles added Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari in free agency, plus the enigma that is Bryce Huff remains on the roster.
4. Tight End
There are a slew of rumors about a Dallas Goedert trade. He carries a $9.1 million cap hit in 2024 and $11.8 million in 2025. The hulking tight end is also a perennial injury risk who just turned 30 years old. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him jettisoned. Problem is, what do the Eagles do? They have zero backup plan, with Grant Calcaterra being the only player to take those snaps.
5. Offensive Line
Right guard is the one area on the offensive line that could use a boost. That position could get very interesting at camp, too. There will be likely be a competition between Tyler Steen and Kenyon Green for the starting spot. Green — a former first-round pick of the Texans (15th overall) — came over in the CJ Gardner-Johnson trade. The Eagles also added Kendall Lamm to serve as the new backup swing tackle after Fred Johnson bolted for Jacksonville.
Free Agency Finder: 5 Targets for Philadelphia
1. Calais Campbell
The six-time Pro Bowler will turn 39 years old on September 1, so age could deter a lot of teams from signing him. But, Campbell was a dominating presence on the interior defensive line for the Dolphins in 2024, earning an overall grade of 82.3 (via Pro Football Focus) on 616 snaps while picking up five sacks. He’s kind of perfect for the Eagles.
2. Justin Simmons:
There is no better safety available in free agency than this guy. First, Simmons already has experience playing under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, thanks to their three seasons together in Denver. Second, the Eagles can wait to sign him until after the NFL Draft and not lose a compensatory pick. Simmons could start Week 1 as the Eagles transition Brown into the full-time stater. It’s almost too-perfect of a move.
3. DeMarcus Walker:
The 30-year-old edge rusher has had middling success over the course of his eight NFL seasons: 26.5 sacks, 191 combined tackles (40 for loss), 71 QB hits. He’d be mostly a depth piece in Philly … unless some genius coach could tap into his full potential. Well, Walker’s two best seasons came in Denver, under (you guessed it) Vic Fangio, when he collected 8.5 sacks over two seasons in 2019 and 2020.
4. Gerald Everett:
I would expect the Eagles to draft a tight end early, possibly in Round 1 if Colston Loveland is on the board. Or, maybe they go all-in and trade up for Tyler Warren. Wishful thinking, yes. Everett isn’t a bad option to fall back on as a veteran presence to add to the room. He’s a horrid blocker but he’s averaged 36.5 receptions for 358.6 yards over eight seasons, with 19 total touchdowns. Those numbers are better than Harrison Bryant.
5. Will Hernandez:
The Eagles seem content to let the situation play out at right guard. Steen flashed enough last year to warrant a long look, maybe even a guaranteed spot. They will probably look to draft a young guard, too. But, Hernandez fits the part of the classic “lottery ticket” that Howie Roseman likes to cash in — a low-risk, high-reward guy coming off an injury, available on a cheap one-year contract. Also: Hernandez’s 69.9 pass-blocking grade (via Pro Football Focus) ranks No. 23 in the NFL among guards since 2021.
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