The Eagles could shake up their roster after a disappointing 2025 season.

Not only will Philadelphia lose several key starters and backups to free agency, general manager Howie Roseman could also trade and release a few players. Running it back would be a mistake — certain positions need to be upgraded, and some players may need to be moved to give both sides a fresh start.

Currently, the Eagles are slated to have just over $18 million in cap space, which ranks 18th among NFL teams, according to Over the Cap. Roseman could be active in free agency, but he will need to make a few moves to free up additional space.

Here are the players Roseman could release/trade for cap savings or non-financial reasons:

Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown

Unhappy with his role in the offense, Brown has been the subject of trade rumors for months, with multiple reports suggesting he could become available this offseason.

Trading Brown would hurt the Eagles’ cap situation in 2026 and provide no relief until 2027.

The Eagles could trade Brown with a post-June 1 designation, incurring a dead cap hit of $16 million, according to Over The Cap. That is far from ideal, but the Eagles may not have a choice if Brown wants out.

Brown could receive a fresh start in a new offense, while the Eagles acquire a first- or second- round pick.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott

Although Elliott’s release would also hurt the Eagles’ cap situation, the team could move on from him due to performance reasons, or at the minimum, bring in competition during training camp to challenge him.

Elliott just made 20 of his 27 field-goal attempts in 2025, his second consecutive down year. Once a reliable big-game kicker, he’s no longer trustworthy.

He missed a crucial extra-point during the team’s first-round playoff loss to the 49ers. Down four on the last drive of the fourth quarter, the Eagles failed to convert a fourth-down from the red zone and lost the game. Had Elliott made his PAT, the Eagles could have kicked a field goal to force overtime.

Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee

Last offseason, the Eagles traded top backup Kenny Pickett to the Browns for a fifth-round pick and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. For McKee, they could land a better pick, as he offers more starting upside than Pickett.

Eagles cornerback Michael Carter II

Carter II ranks as the Eagles’ top cap casualty candidate. A pre-June 1 release would save the Eagles $8 million, while a trade would free up $10 million, according to Over the Cap.

At the NFL trade deadline, the Eagles traded for Carter to serve as their top backup nickel and potentially start if they moved Cooper DeJean to the outside. That never materialized. Cooper remained in the slot, and Cooper spent eight games in Philadelphia watching from the bench.

Carter, one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the NFL at the beginning of his career with the Jets, would provide solid depth in 2026, but he’s not good enough to justify his salary. With the Eagles needing to create more room to extend players and add free agents, Carter is an easy cut.

The leftovers

The Eagles could free up cap space with the release of these three players: safety Sydney Brown ($1,533,969), cornerback Kelee Ringo ($1,145,000) and cornerback Jakorian Bennett ($1,145,000). While these moves could provide some relief, the team might be better off bringing Brown, Ringo and Bennett into training camp rather than releasing them for a small increase in cap space.