It’s just the third day after the season came to an abrupt, but expected end for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 23-19 loss to San Francisco in the Wild Card Round. Now, the gears start turning on how a team that won the Super Bowl just last year will construct their roster for the 2026 season with a lot of big decisions needed to be made.
The Eagles have a laundry list of free agents heading into the offseason but there are a handful that make up the top tier that would be the most impactful whether the team opts to re-sign them or let them walk.
Here’s a way-too-early prediction regarding some of those top names on the list:
After it seemed that the tight end might not even be on the roster this season as his camp and the Eagles were jockeying in negotiations over the summer, Goedert arguably was the best weapon on offense this season after his historic campaign.
In 15 games this season, he hauled in 60 catches for 591 yards for a career-best and franchise record 11 touchdowns by a tight end. He also scored two touchdowns in the loss in the Wild Card game.
At 31 and with an injury history, it could become a slippery slope on how much the Eagles value the tight end and are willing to potentially pay to keep Goedert as their TE1. However, the Eagles do not have a tight end under contract for next season with Grant Calcaterra, who struggled to block and has not been much of a factor in the passing game, and Kylen Granson, both free agents making a Goedert return potentially more likely.
However, Goedert also played himself into at least one more sizable contract and it behooves the veteran to test the market and see what other interest might be out there.
It’s hard to believe that Dean’s rookie contract is already up after being drafted in the third round of the 2022 Draft. Dean’s tenure with the Eagles had ups and downs, due more so to injuries.
In 2023, he sustained a Lisfranc injury, the same injury Lane Johnson is dealing with, which placed him on the IR. He did return to the field a month later but re-aggravated it and ultimately forced him to miss the rest of the season. Last season in the Wild Card round against Green Bay, Dean tore his patellar tendon. He returned to action in early October this season and clearly brought a physical presence that up to that point, was missing from the defense.
After the loss on Sunday, Dean told the media that he took a picture of his locker because he doesn’t know if it is the last game he played with Philadelphia.
“Of course. I think everyone knows I want to be in Philly,” Dean said earlier this week.
The uncertainty is created because Jihaad Campbell is waiting in the wings. The rookie adequately filled in for Dean on multiple occasions and as a first-round pick, it is hard to imagine that the Eagles would want Campbell to not take on a larger role his sophomore season.
Howie Roseman pushed the right buttons at the trade deadline acquiring the former Miami Dolphin for a 2026 third-round pick. The linebacker made an impact in the pass rush. Phillips started in all eight games of the regular season and had two sacks, seven quarterback hits to go along with 28 tackles.
The linebacker will be entering free agency for the first time in his career, but he did say he would like to stay an Eagle.
“I have a family now, I’ve got a kid on the way so I have to think about that. But also, I want to be on a competitive team and in an environment where I love the guys that I’m around and love the organization that I’m playing for. I feel that here,” Phillips said.
Phillips could be looking to cash in on his impressive performance with the Eagles and sign with a team that offers him the most money, which the Eagles might not be in a position to do with other key defensive pieces like Jordan Davis, Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell all expected to get new contracts sooner than later.
However, Phillips could settle for a little less to stay with a team like Philadelphia, where he is comfortable and can become one of the leaders on a young and talented defense.
How can the “Exciting Whites” be broken up?!
Well, it is a business after all, but depending on the safety market and Blankenship’s asking price, a return does not seem to be totally out of the question.
Blankenship has been a great story, earning a starting role on defense as an undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee State in 2022. Over his four regular seasons, he has started in 50 games with nine interceptions.
“I was emotional coming in here. Knowing that the guys that I came with, it’s not going to be the same,” Blankenship said after the loss.
“Who knows where we all end up. That’s just part of the business side of it. They can’t keep us all. I wish they could. I know we all wish each other the best.”
It certainly is part of the business. Howie Roseman, Jeffrey Lurie and the front office have a long list of boxes to check off as the offseason gets underway.
