The Philadelphia Eagles have 20 players set to hit free agency next month. General manager Howie Roseman’s decisions with those free agents will dictate how active the Eagles are in adding external reinforcements to their roster. Last March, the Eagles made their big splash before the market opened when they re-signed Zack Baun. They were then prepared to lose key free agents such as Milton Williams and Josh Sweat. That’s what happens when multiple starters are set to hit the open market. The decision-makers must make choices.
Roseman and the Eagles’ front office will try to return from next week’s scouting combine in Indianapolis with a better sense of the market for their players — and perhaps what to do with some players under contract with looming roster questions — and those conversations could shape how the depth chart looks in 2026. Here’s a breakdown of the pending free agents distributed into tiers and what to expect:
The clear No. 1
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips
The Eagles spent a third-round pick for half a season of Phillips, and there’s no lamenting the trade. He quickly became a key player on a defense that improved upon his arrival. Phillips fits Vic Fangio’s scheme, plays an important role on the Eagles’ front, and has the age profile (Phillips turns 27 in May) to earn a big investment from the Eagles — or another NFL club. He’s the type of player franchises fight to keep and plan to pursue.
The issue for the Eagles? Phillips is one of the top free agents in an uninspiring class, even with only five combined sacks last season. He’s 6-foot-5, 266 pounds with athleticism, scheme versatility and draft pedigree. Those players tend to get paid. The question is how his injury history factors into an evaluation. If he’s paid in the inflation-adjusted range of Chase Young ($17 million per year), that could be a shrewd signing for the Eagles. If he’s around (or above) the deal Kansas City’s George Karlaftis signed before the season, the contract will push toward the $23-$25 million range, considering players are often rewarded when reaching the open market. That could be a harder neighborhood to shop.
He’s an in-his-prime player at a premium position, and the Eagles don’t yet need to pay Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, so it would make sense for them to try to find a deal if they can stomach the injury risk. They’ll have a walk-away number — and Phillips might exceed it. If the price pushes too high, the Eagles would be in line for a favorable compensatory pick in 2027 if they don’t make an external signing to cancel it out.
Valuable starters who might earn bigger contracts elsewhere
TE Dallas Goedert
The Eagles considered trading Goedert last offseason and brought him back on a reduced salary for his eighth season, and Goedert responded with career highs in receptions (60) and touchdowns (11) to go along with 591 yards. He remained healthier than he had been since 2021. Goedert improved his value, which is why he could play elsewhere next season. Are the Eagles going to pay him more at age 31 than the $10 million he earned last season at age 30? Mark Andrews signed a three-year deal worth $13.1 million per year. If that’s the price, the Eagles could be searching for a succession plan. If Goedert’s desire to stay in Philadelphia guides him to a short-term deal, it could mean Goedert plays his ninth year in Philadelphia.
LB Nakobe Dean
On paper, Dean fits the profile of a player the Eagles would want to keep. He’s a homegrown player who’s in his age-25 season, is a leader on defense and played the best football of his career in 2025. Dean returned from a major knee injury and was even better than his standout 2024 campaign, finishing with four sacks, seven tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in only eight starts. The complicating factor? The Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell in the first round last season, and Baun is one of the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL. If the Eagles signed Dean to a new deal, it would block Campbell for at least one more season. This will likely be similar to Williams in 2025; the Eagles know he’s a good player, but he can make more money elsewhere.
S Reed Blankenship
Similar to Dean, Blankenship is a homegrown player who is a key starter and leader on defense. He’s entering his age 27 season. Unlike at linebacker, the Eagles lack safety depth. It would make sense for the Eagles to try to keep him. However, the Eagles have avoided the middle class of players in recent years — they’ve had players earning near the top earners at their positions, players on rookie contracts, and then filled out the roster with veterans on low-cost, one-year deals. The Eagles entered the 2025 season with only one player (Goedert) earning between $7 million and $15 million on a non-rookie deal. That middle tier is likely Blankenship’s market. He’s a starter, but he’s not an elite player. The Eagles could buck their trend and sign him because of his value to the defense, although with premium defensive players due for contract extensions in the next few seasons, the Eagles must draw lines at certain spots. Safety could be one of them, with the Eagles seeking less expensive options.
P Braden Mann
Mann performed like one of the better punters in the NFL and is a key part of the Eagles’ special teams — and that might be the problem. The Eagles haven’t placed in the top 10 in punter spending during Roseman’s time as GM. Is he prepared to start now? A top-10 punter contract is at least $3 million per season. It’s a modest enough figure that the Eagles could mitigate the cap hit, but they could also elect to continue the punter cycle of finding less expensive options. They haven’t had a punter for more than three seasons since Donnie Jones in 2017.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson will likely need to go to another team to be a starter. (Eric Hartline / Imagn Images)
Time for a change of scenery
WR Jahan Dotson
The Eagles acquired Dotson before the 2024 season, believing that the change of scenery would benefit the first-round pick. He might need a change of scenery again. Dotson has been buried behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Goedert among the offensive weapons, limiting his opportunities. He made a big catch in Super Bowl LIX. But he did not do enough to show that the Eagles must keep him — even with the possibility of a Brown trade this offseason. Dotson turns 26 in March and has had starter-caliber moments in the NFL, but he’ll likely need to go elsewhere to realize it.
TE Grant Calcaterra
Calcaterra has played four seasons for the Eagles and has been a serviceable reserve pass-catching tight end — a fine outcome for the 2022 sixth-round pick. He struggled as a blocker, and the Eagles should look to reconfigure their tight end depth chart — presumably with a draft pick included, considering Calcaterra was the last tight end selected by the Eagles.
QB Sam Howell
The Eagles acquired Howell before the regular season as insurance while Tanner McKee recovered from an injury. He did not attempt a pass for the Eagles, who sent a 2026 fifth-round pick and 2027 seventh-round pick for Howell and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Howell has starting experience in the NFL and could be a serviceable backup, although barring a McKee trade, that won’t happen in Philadelphia.
Keep the phone lines open
OT Fred Johnson
Johnson signed elsewhere last season, seeking more opportunity. The Eagles re-acquired him, and he again proved to be a valuable swing tackle. But he’s also in the same position as last year — a key reserve, not a starter. If there’s a better opportunity with a different club, Johnson should pursue it. The Eagles can do worse than having him as their swing tackle, although Jeff Stoutland’s exit could also change what the Eagles seek with that spot.
S Marcus Epps
The decision to bring Epps back to the practice squad (and soon the active roster) after two years away proved valuable when Epps became a starter following Drew Mukuba’s injury. He’s not a priority signing at age 30, but if the Eagles wanted inexpensive veteran depth, a return could make sense.
LB/FB Ben VanSumeren
VanSumeren is a restricted free agent. Don’t expect to give him a tender after he suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon on the opening kickoff last season. The Eagles were intrigued by VanSumeren last summer. He can try to make the roster again, but he must prove he’s healthy and can contribute. There won’t be a financial burden in signing him to the 90-man roster.
One-year contract players … who could be on one-year deals again … or be replaced by someone on a one-year deal
CB Adoree’ Jackson
Jackson emerged as the starting cornerback last season, surpassing younger options such as Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett. He turns 31 in September, and the Eagles could seek a 2026 version of Jackson — an inexpensive, experienced player who could step in if up-and-coming corners on the depth chart do not earn the job. Otherwise, a reunion wouldn’t be out of the question.
Edge rusher Joshua Uche
Uche was serviceable as a rotational edge rusher last season before the Eagles acquired Phillips and signed Brandon Graham. Then, he was stuck as a healthy scratch. The edge rusher depth remains unsettled, although Uche could try to find a better opportunity elsewhere.
Edge rusher Azeez Ojulari
Ojulari was the top external signing last offseason. He could not earn playing time for the Eagles and was placed on injured reserve in November. It’s hard to see a second date for this couple.
TE Kylen Granson
Granson played 23 percent of the offensive snaps and 66 percent of the special teams snaps as a depth tight end. If the Eagles want to bring him back to compete for a roster spot, few would object. It shouldn’t be part of a grand plan at tight end, though.
RB AJ Dillon
Dillon remained on the roster throughout the season, even after Tank Bigsby pushed him further down the depth chart. With Saquon Barkley, Bigsby and Will Shipley returning, it doesn’t make sense to keep Dillon as the No. 4 running back in his age-28 season.
OL Matt Pryor
Pryor arrived as veteran depth last offseason, made the roster as a reserve and had scattered playing time before starting the season finale. The Eagles need to build young depth on the offensive line. They developed a group of rookies last year, and they’re likely to add from this draft class. It’s hard to see Pryor in the picture.
DE Ogbo Okoronkwo
A torn triceps halted Okoronkwo’s season after four weeks. He turns 31 in April, so the combination of age and injury recovery means the Eagles will look elsewhere for edge rusher depth.
For old times’ sake?
OL Brett Toth
Toth has been with the Eagles for parts of the last seven seasons. He played a career-high 363 offensive snaps last season and even demonstrated he can play center. Stoutland trusted Toth. Will a change in scheme and offensive line coach change Toth’s standing?
DE Brandon Graham
Graham came out of retirement and proved that he can rush the quarterback at age 37. He turns 38 in April and expressed interest in returning for a 17th season. The Eagles were ready to move on last year before calling him back. They should let him play if he wants to keep playing.