Eagles lose 4 key defenders as NFL legal tampering opens

In a matter of three hours, the Eagles have some holes to fill.

As the NFL’s legal tampering period opened at noon on Monday, Isaiah Rodgers, Milton Williams, Darius Slay, and Josh Sweat found new homes.

Rodgers signs with Minnesota

Rodgers, who kicked off the signing spree, agreed to terms on a two-year, $15 million contract with the Vikings, which includes $8 million fully guaranteed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the deal.

The Eagles had hoped to bring Rodgers back in 2025, but the 27-year-old corner’s market was strong.

Rodgers was a valuable backup. He played whenever Slay or Quinyon Mitchell was not in, and filled the void excellently. In 421 defensive snaps (including playoffs), Rodgers allowed an 82.1 passer rating in the regular season.

Williams gets a bag from the Patriots

Williams was the top-rated free agent per NFL.com, and he is getting paid like it. After an initial report stating he would be signing with the Panthers, Williams reached an agreement with the Patriots on a four-year, $104 million deal that includes $63 million guaranteed. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was the first to report the news.

Williams is now the NFL’s third-highest-paid defensive tackle, as he is now making $26 million a year. He ranks behind just Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins.

Williams was selected with the 73rd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Eagles. In four seasons with Philadelphia, he made 19 starts in 67 games played, recording 11.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss during that span. The 25-year-old in 2024 made 24 tackles, five sacks, and a strip sack in Super Bowl LIX.

Williams’ departure should not come to much of a surprise, as the Eagles have limited resources to work with, and spending them on Williams is not the right move.

Slay to Pittsburgh

Slay is staying in the state of Pennsylvania, just in Sheetz country.

Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reports that Slay is signing with the Steelers, however, nothing is official and the Eagles have not actually released him yet.

The Eagles announced they were releasing Slay with a post-June 1 designation last week, and he expressed how there were no hard feelings, but preferred to stay with the Eagles for what he is saying will be the final year of his career.

Slay went through different injuries throughout the 2024 season, limiting him to just 66.7% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps. With Mitchell and Cooper DeJean having spectacular rookie seasons, it is time for the Eagles to move in a different direction.

The 34-year-old was a great leader for the Eagles on and off the field, providing strong stability at the cornerback position since he was brought in from Detroit in 2020.

So what will the Eagles do at the opposite corner from Mitchell now? Slay and Rodgers are gone, and the Eagles are releasing James Bradberry. Kelee Ringo could slide into that role, or Howie Roseman could make some sort of move.

Sweat reunites with Jonathon Gannon

Josh Sweat and the Cardinals reached an agreement on a four-year deal worth $76.4 million, including $41 million guaranteed, first reported by Schefter.

With this, Sweat reunites with the Eagles’ defensive coordinator from 2022 and now head coach in Arizona, Jonathon Gannon.

This should come with very little shock, as there was no shot Sweat would be returning to Philadelphia. Similar to Williams, Sweat was going to get a lot of money, and the Eagles were not going to be able to match it.

The Eagles selected Sweat with the 130th pick in the 2018 draft. The 27-year-old made 48 sacks in 121 games played (including playoffs) with Philadelphia. His most significant and best game came when it mattered most, in Super Bowl LIX. He recorded six tackles and 2.5 snaps in New Orleans, which earned him some MVP votes and a whole lot of money.

The Eagles’ pass rushers currently for 2025, if Brandon Graham retires, are Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Bryce Huff.

So, the Eagles will need to add more help at edge rusher this offseason. 

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