For the first time in many seasons, the top priority for the Eagles in free agency might be to re-sign their own.
Philadelphia will have some tough decisions to make regarding the 2023 roster construction.
Some Eagle legends may have played their last downs in the city of brotherly love.
By my count, the team currently has a whopping 22 players who will be free agents(including in-season pickups).
Three are Eagle legends who will likely be in their Hall of Fame one day.
Defensive Line:
The free agents on the defensive line, a position that is highly prioritized by Howie and the Eagles, include two of the best who has ever worn an Eagles jersey.
Fletcher Cox DT 32
It was not much of a surprise when Fletch returned on a one-year deal. It may be a little shocking to see him return with a reduction in playing time and salary once again. He would like to finish his career in Philadelphia with a second Super Bowl ring, so having him back is a possibility. I am 50/50 on whether that will happen. How much less money he is willing to take will probably be the deciding factor.
Brandon Graham DE 35
B.G. has been a big-time contributor, leader, and fan/locker room favorite for most of his career. This season, he has shown the value he brings to the team by playing at a high level while returning from a serious injury. He’s expressed his desire to play 2 more seasons and his choice would be to finish his career in Philadelphia. Losing 3 starters on the D-line would be a lot to come back from and Brandon would probably accept a 1-year deal with a 2nd yr option to return. I believe he stays.
Javon Hargrave DT 30
Javon has been solid since arriving and has really been good down the stretch. He is making it hard to imagine him not being here for a couple more years. Nobody values the liens more than Howie and while it would make sense to extend him on a 2–3 year pact, he will likely demand a larger contract than the 3 yr 39 million he just played for. He just finished the 2022 campaign with 11 sacks. He will likely get too much money for the Eagles to retain him.
Janarius Robinson DE 24
Janarius was signed by the Eagles in September from the Vikings practice squad. He was placed on I.R. a month later. This is the second season in a row that his season has ended prematurely.
Robert Quinn DE 32
The trade for Robert Quinn gave the Birds another pass-rushing weapon off the edge, and a chance to watch him for the remainder of the season to see if they would like to try and extend him for another year. Unfortunately, he contributed little to nothing and will likely demand big money on the open market.
Ndamukong Suh DT 36
The Eagles grabbed Suh when Jordan Davis went down hurt, and it made a lot of sense for the post-season run. He played ok, and accepted the job for a run at another ring. The Super Bowl loss could be the last game he ever plays. If the Birds are in need of another DT come next November and he is on the couch again, he could come back in a similar role. The Eagles seemed pleased with his play. But I do not expect it.
Linval Joseph DT 34
He was a great mid-season signing and fantastic down the stretch, but the spot he manned will be Jordan Davis‘ going forward.
Offensive Line:
Jason Kelce C 34
The Eagles seemingly drafted Kelce’s replacement with Cam Jurgens in the 2022 draft, but losing Jason’s play, experience, and leadership will not be easily duplicated. Kelce retiring would be a big loss if he hangs them up at the season’s end. Howie and the Eagles will keep signing Kelce to one-year deals as long as he wants to lace them up.
A few other OL who could be playing their final season in Philadelphia:
Isaac Seumalo G 29
I thought Isaac could be a trade candidate this past season, so it would be hard for me to project him here in 2023. He is another player that would have to accept a team-friendly deal to stay.
Andre Dillard T 27
The Eagles former first-round pick never lived up to expectations, but he did serve as a decent backup. He will be a left tackle for a team in search of one.
Brett Toth OL 27
He spent the year rehabbing from a torn ACL, I do not have a feel for what the Eagles have in mind for him if anything.
Outlook: If they are not willing or able to retain a couple of these guys, their depth may be challenged for the first time in many years. Stoutland is the best in the business and the team is confident he will keep churning out top-tier starters, but replacing 4 players from the O-line room would be a tall order.
Jurgens could, and should, fill whichever role opens up on the line between Kelce or Isaac. He can play guard until Kelce hangs them up, and learn from one of the best to ever do it.
He could also be the starting center in 2023 if Kelce leaves.
Defensive Backs:
The play of the DBs may pose harder decisions than the defensive line for Howie.
James Bradberry CB 29
James has played better than most anyone expected and, paired with Slay, has solidified the back end of this defense. Deciding on Bradberry’s future will be one of the hardest decisions the Eagles will have to make. His market could reach heights that make it very difficult for them to retain him, but he is the same age as Slay was when Howie handed him a big contract. The Eagles have shown they are risk-averse to this in some instances. My best guess is a return to the NY Giants. They regretted the decision to let him walk all year.
Outlook:
Howie and the Eagles have long been enamored with Patrick Peterson, and he could be a realistic, cost-effective option if Bradberry leaves.
Chauncey Gardner- Johnson S 25
A late pre-season trade brought CJ GJ over from the Saints, and much like Bradberry, GJ has been playing better than advertised. His attitude, aggression, and style of play are perfect for this defense and were traits that have been sorely missed. The Eagles will want to extend his stay. A three-year pact would make a lot of sense. He led the league in interceptions, despite missing 5 games, so he will not come cheap. I suspect the Eagles will pay what it takes to keep him.
Marcus Epps S 27
Epps was an unsung hero in the backfield during the first half of the season. He seems to have found a role on this team and gained the confidence of the coaches and players. The emergence of Reed Blankenship and the Eagles’ ability to re-sign CJGJ will likely determine Epps’ fate with the team.
Reed Blankenship looks like a future starter. If Epps is offered big money, he will not return.
Linebackers:
T.J. Edwards LB 26
The Eagles seemingly love Edwards in the middle, and he has played very well. He led the team in tackles in 2022 and should have a good market that could cause problems for the Birds to re-sing him. That being said, I would be surprised if he doesn’t get an extension.
Which leads to the other free-agent LB.
Kyzir White OLB, WIL 26
Kyzir has done everything the Eagles had hoped for and more, but it’s probably not going to make a difference as far as him remaining in Philly. Nakobe is lurking and can play the WIL while being cheaper, and under control for 3 more seasons. He is only back if TJ isn’t, and even then adding Dean and a free agent upgrade may be more inviting.
There are a lot of interesting linebackers that will be free agents in a few weeks. The Eagles could choose to let both TJ and Kyzir walk and sign a different partner for Dean.
Running Backs:
If the Eagles let both Miles and Boston move on, the RB room will look very different than it has in 4 seasons.
Miles Sanders RB 25
It’s ironic how players usually are at their best during a contract season. Miles has been healthy and played the best football since arriving. The Eagles don’t usually break the bank for a running back, and I don’t see them doing that with Miles either. Unless he is willing to accept a hometown discount he will probably find that the grass ($) is greener on another field.
Boston Scott RB 27
The Eagles may want to retain Boston for the 2023 season, especially if Miles leaves. He is a solid player and has excelled as a rotational backup. It would not be surprising to see him back on a one-year deal, but his play may have warranted a team to give him more money elsewhere.
Wide Receiver:
Zach Pascal WR 28
Was Zach a hired gun to help teach the Sirianni system, or has he found a niche in this offense as the 4th or 5th wideout and made himself worthy of another year or two in Philly? That decision may come down to being a financial one.
Tight End:
Tyree Jackson TE 25
The Eagles love his intangibles but he has to prove he can stay healthy. I’d expect him back on a one-year team-friendly prove-it deal. The Eagles have exclusive rights, so it would be a shocker to see him go.
Quarterback:
Gardner Minshew QB 26
Gardner has expressed an interest to start but has never been a distraction. He was called to duty when Hurts was injured last year and was able to do what the Eagles asked and win a game. He was not able to do that this year. They will likely try to find another player to fill his shoes this off-season. Drafting a QB in the mid to late rounds with some of the same intangibles Hurts has is probably more realistic.
Special Teams:
Brett Kern– P 36
Was signed by the Eagles to get through a few weeks when Siposs was injured. He struggled while with the team and was never a candidate to return
2023
The disappointment of losing the Super Bowl is only going to fuel the Eagles’ organization, and current NFL executive of the year, Howie Roseman to improve upon what they have and give it another shot while Jalen Hurts‘ contract is under the rookie deal. (even if they extend him, the larger cap hits will not start in 2023)
Howie and company will have a plan in place to get them back to the post-season with a chance at that elusive second Lombardi trophy.
My guess is that 16 leave and 6 remain, 7 if Jason Kelce decides to play another season.
Pascal could be another name the Eagles keep around as he did not seem to mind the role he had with the team in 2022.
Stay:(6)
Chauncey Gardner- Johnson
T.J Edwards
With the team having so many potential defensive changes, it will be interesting if the plan does not take shape on that side of the ball until they have a new defensive coordinator in place. If Dennard Wilson is named DC, there may be continuity with the scheme, and some of the players, like Epps, may have a higher chance of being retained.