Position-by-position look at the Eagles offense before free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The NFL offseason will begin early next week with the start of free agency when the bargaining window opens at noon on Monday.
The new competition year starts on Wednesday at 4 p.m
According to OverTheCap, the Eagles are expected to have nearly $42 million in cap space when the league year begins. That’s a much better spot than this time last year and the Eagles could be more aggressive in free agency.
Here’s a position-by-position look at the offensive side of the ball:
Quarterback
Under contract: Jalen hurts, Tanner McKee
Free agents pending: Marcus Mariota
Need level: Low
Thoughts and options: The Eagles had an expensive backup in Mariota in 2023 and luckily Hurts stayed healthy and Mariota didn’t really play. The thinking here is that McKee (a sixth-round pick last year) might be ready to be the backup. If the Eagles can avoid a high-priced backup and get three years of McKee in that role with a sixth-round salary, that’s a huge win. But is he ready for that? Hard to say. Last year he showed some real flashes during training camp but didn’t get a chance to play in real games.
If the Eagles don’t want to spend a ton on a backup, maybe someone like Easton stick would make some sense. He played under Kellen Moore last year and has some experience and could theoretically compete for a backup job against McKee. In that case, of course, the Eagles could go the expensive backup route again Mariota would be an option again. There is also Jameis Winston, Gardner Minshew, Tyler Huntley, Josh Dobbs and a few other household names who could be available as more experienced backup.
Running back
Under contract: Kenny Gainwell, Lew Nichols, Tyrion Davis-Price
Free agents pending: D’Andre Swift, Boston Scott, Rashaad Penny
Need level: High
Thoughts and options: The Eagles moved on from Miles Sanders last offseason following a Pro Bowl season. Sanders earned a four-year, $25 million contract with the Panthers and had a very disappointing 2023. The Eagles were opportunistic and grabbed Swift in a trade with the Lions, and the hometown boy had a huge season in his return to Philly . Swift had his first 1,000-yard season and made a Pro Bowl. But the Eagles will likely let him test the market. If Swift can’t find a big deal elsewhere, the Eagles would probably like to have him back, but that’s not really Howie Roseman’s M.O. at the position.
In free agency, those are the best guys on the market Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs And Dirk Hendrik. It just seems unlikely that the Eagles will hand out a contract big enough to lure one of their own to Philadelphia. There are some next level guys with ties to Moore Austin Ekeler And Tony Pollard. After that, there are some other names, such as Alexander Mattison, J. K. Dobbins And AJ Dillon who will be available. And I don’t rule out a return Scott or. The Eagles’ needs at the position are high, but that’s because they only have one returning running back under contract. I don’t expect the Eagles to make a big move in free agency, but they do need to find some players in free agency, in a trade or through the draft.
Recipient
Under contract: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Britain Covey, Devon Allen, Shaquan Davis, Jacob Harris, Griffen Hebert, Joseph Ngata, Austin Watkins Jr.
Free agents pending: Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus, Julio Jones
Need level: Medium high
Thoughts and options: While the Eagles bring back Brown and Smith for another season, they need to find a more reliable WR3 for 2024. That player could enter the draft, but there will be some options in free agency if they take a look. For starters, they should probably let their own free agents walk.
There are some names in free agency that are attractive. Darnell Mooney is still only 26 and the former 5th round pick has tremendous speed even though he is a few years removed from his lone 1,000 yard season. Curtis Samuel is now 27, but after a pair of 600-plus-yard seasons, is available as a slot receiver in Washington and may be looking for a fresh start. A few former Moore players Noah Brown And Cedrick Wilson will both be free agent options. Maybe even such a man Marquise Brown from Arizona can be intriguing; he’s 26 and has had very solid production in his five NFL seasons.
Tight end
Under contract: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Albert Okwuegbunam, Noah Togiai
Free agents pending: Jack Stoll (RFA)
Need level: Medium
Thoughts and options: The Eagles have already made a move in free agency and extended Okwuegbunam to a one-year deal so he doesn’t hit the market. But that’s a small move. The Eagles have had the same three tight ends (Goedert, Stoll, Calcaterra) for a few years and may need an upgrade. Stoll has played a lot in recent years. Even if the Eagles don’t tender him as a restricted free agent, they could reach an agreement on a new one-year contract, as happened with Boston Scott last season.
In free agency, the Eagles likely won’t go after the big names because they still have Goedert under contract. But there are some veterans who may not cost much and can help. A player like Austin Hooper of the Raiders of Geoff Swan from the Cardinals would offer some versatility and experience. And Gerard Everett of the Chargers played under Moore last season. It’s also worth noting that Goedert is now older than Zach Ertz was when the Eagles drafted Goedert; so drafting Goedert’s replacement could not be far off.
Offensive line
Under contract: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson, Le’Raven Clark, Brett Toth, Darian Kinnard, Lecitus Smith, Jason Poe
Free agents pending: Sua Opeta, Jack Driscoll, Roderick Johnson
Retired: Jason Kelce
Need level: Medium high
Thoughts and options: Kelce officially retired this week, so the Eagles must try to figure out how to replace a legend. The easy answer is Jurgens moves to center, Steen replaces him at right guard and the Eagles move forward. But no one really knows how that will turn out. On top of all this, Grandpa And Driscoll are also about to hit the market, though it would make sense if the Eagles worked on re-signing one or both. They have played a lot in recent years.
The Eagles would likely prefer to draft offensive linemen rather than sign them to expensive deals in free agency, especially since there may not be a clear starting spot open. So as the draft approaches, we’ll talk more about the potential of taking a possible replacement for Johnson, who could also play guard. In free agency, the top guards available could cost too much. But if the Eagles want a plug-and-play guy, Kevin Zeitler fits the position, but it won’t be cheap. Same thing Connor Williams, who played under Moore in Dallas but is now a free agent after an ACL injury; Williams may wait a while to sign, but could center or guard the player. Maybe Jon Runyan Jr. could be a match; the son of the former Eagles right tackle has 50 NFL starts under his belt and can play either guard spot. And Roseman is never shy about bringing back former Eagles Halapoulivaati Vaitai is about to become a free agent. He’s missed time in recent seasons due to injuries and hasn’t lived up to his contract in Detroit, but Big V was a nice backup in Philly before moving into a starting role.
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