At a Glance
- Howie Roseman says the Eagles must let go of valuable but lesser players to keep stars
- 15 of 16 early-round picks since Nick Sirianni arrived became long-term starters
- Dallas Goedert, Nakobe Dean, Reed Blankenship and others hit free agency this spring
- Why it matters: Fans should expect more key departures as Philadelphia tries to stay under the salary cap while extending core talent
The Eagles’ roster that won the Super Bowl is about to look different again. Speaking Thursday, general manager Howie Roseman made it clear that tough cuts are coming if the team hopes to retain the players it “can’t lose.”
Cap Math Forces Hard Choices
Roseman warned that Philadelphia’s continued success brings a natural roster turnover. The salary cap simply does not allow 22 starters to earn market-value deals.
“We are going to do what’s best for us,” Roseman said, stressing that sacrifices are inevitable. “That’s on me to make sure that the sacrifices we make are filled in with really good players.”
The cycle works like this:
- Draft young, cheaper talent
- Develop them into starters on rookie contracts
- Decide who gets second-contract megadeals
- Replace outgoing veterans with the next draft class
Last offseason, the Eagles watched edge rusher Josh Sweat, defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and several role players depart in free agency. Roseman indicated a similar pattern awaits.
Who’s on the Bubble?
More than a dozen Eagles are set for unrestricted free agency this spring. Among the notables:
- Tight end Dallas Goedert
- Linebacker Nakobe Dean
- Safety Reed Blankenship
- Edge Jaelan Phillips
- Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson
- Safety Marcus Epps
- Tackle Fred Johnson
- Edge Brandon Graham
- Wide receiver Jahan Dotson
Additionally, 2023 first-rounders Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter are now eligible for extensions, while defensive tackle Jordan Davis is under contract only through 2026 on a one-year tender.
Keeping the core intact will mean allowing others to leave, echoing the approach that has kept Philadelphia competitive for five straight seasons.
Draft Success Makes It Possible
Roseman credits the pipeline of inexpensive talent for making the equation work. Since head coach Nick Sirianni arrived in 2021, the Eagles have selected 16 players on Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft; 15 have become long-term starters.
Only 2023 second-round safety Sydney Brown has yet to claim a starting job.
“I’m proud … of our first- and second-day draft success,” Roseman said. “We’ve got to keep hitting like that. That means we have to have a good process. We’ve got to understand the people that we’re bringing into the building.”
The hits have already replaced departed veterans:
- Jalyx Hunt, a 2024 third-round edge, offers potential to replace Sweat
- Moro Ojomo, a 2023 seventh-round tackle, could step in for Williams
- The team traded for Tank Bigsby after Kenny Gainwell left
Balancing Present and Future
Roseman emphasized that Philadelphia’s roster build is intentional. By alternating which side of the ball receives premium dollars, the club tries to avoid cap crunches.
“When you look at our team, we drafted a lot of offensive players, we re-signed a lot of offensive players, [then] we drafted a lot of defensive players that were young on rookie contracts,” he explained.
That approach produced a championship, but it also creates a conveyor belt of outgoing free agents. The challenge is timing: deciding who merits top-dollar extensions and who should be replaced by cheaper rookies.
Roseman said the front office identifies players “we can’t lose” and structures deals accordingly, even if that means watching other contributors sign elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Expect another wave of departures when the new league year opens
- The Eagles believe their draft record gives them flexibility to let veterans walk
- Cap space will be reserved for a select group of homegrown stars
- Continued success hinges on hitting on early-round picks, a trend that has held since 2021
