Feb. 27, 2026, 9:42 p.m. ET

Every offseason, there’s a moment when optimism about the Philadelphia Eagles‘ free-agent outlook collides with the math. Casual fans hope their favorite teams can keep everyone. The diehards, the media, and each franchise’s front office know better. The NFL isn’t always built for sentimental reunions. It’s more often built on cap sheets, positional value, and cold evaluations of future production. For the Eagles, that reality is hitting Vic Fangio’s unit again, particularly in the linebackers’ meeting room.

If you’ve been paying attention, this is one of those discussions that has felt inevitable for a while. Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer dropped a new episode of “unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane”recently. Those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth for free agency information will find plenty of it here.

McLane didn’t dance around the conversation about Nakobe Dean. While discussing some of Philadelphia’s notable impending free agents, he laid out clear expectations. Nakobe Dean is “as good as gone.”

Here’s the full quote:

“When you look at the top four guys in terms of the Eagles’ own free agents: Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, Dallas Goedert, and Reed Blankenship, my impression of what Howie had to say when (talking) about each player, he talked about some specifically. Some he didn’t. My expectation is that Jaelan Phillips plays a premium position. He’s going to cost a lot, but this is a guy we’re probably more focusing our attentions on, but you never know what he’s going to get on the open market. Howie brought up Milton Williams and how he thought he was only going to get $20 million per year, and he ended up getting $26 million per year, not that they were ever going to bring Milton Williams back. … Nakobe Dean, I think he is as good as gone. They have Jihaad Campbell in the barn ready to go.”

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It’s blunt in its explanation. It’s as direct as ‘direct’ can be, but if you’ve followed the Eagles for a while, this is also consistent with how Howie Roseman’s front office operates.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. There is roster turnover every offseason, and despite a record-setting salary cap, tough decisions will have to be made. There simply isn’t enough cash to pay and keep everybody. As was the case with guys like Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, Kenneth Gainwell, and others, Philadelphia will be forced to part with guys who have been loyal to the organization.

The big picture matters.

Zack Baun and Nigel Bradham are exceptions. The LB position, fairly or unfairly, hasn’t been a position where Howie Roseman consistently allocates major long-term money. For every Baun and Bradham, there is a Jordan Hicks or a T.J. Edwards.

Suddenly, the Eagles are stocked at the defense’s second level with Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Smael Mondon, and Jeremiah Trotter. That makes the transition from someone as good as Dean even smoother.

This isn’t about talent or effort. Dean has battled injuries but flashed instinct and leadership when healthy. The locker room respects him. Coaches trust him, but timing is everything in this league. It may be time to see what Campbell and Trotter have up their sleeves.

If McLane’s read is correct, and he’s not in the habit of throwing darts, the Eagles are preparing for their next phase at linebacker. It won’t be personal. It rarely is. It will just be business.