What is The Future Going To Look Like for the Eagles at Tight End?
Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) and linebacker Jalyx Hunt (58) celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Eagles could be looking at a significant shift at the tight end position as the 2026 offseason intensifies with the league year beginning on Wednesday. A recent report from NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry states that longtime starter Dallas Goedert “will definitely be moving on” from Philadelphia. Berry’s widely credible intel suggests Goedert is poised to test free agency for the first time in his career after eight seasons, all coming with the Eagles.
The 31-year-old Goedert had a career year in 2025, setting a franchise record for tight ends with 11 touchdowns, which led the team. He was also a reliable blocker and tush-push mover for Jalen Hurts. Despite that production, and a personal plea from Hurts, he played this season on a team-friendly $10 million contract, but the financial and roster realities appear to have caught up. If Goedert departs as an unrestricted free agent, the Eagles would take on a dead cap hit of over $20 million due to void years and accelerated bonuses from his prior contract. General manager Howie Roseman has expressed his appreciation for Goedert and his willingness to open talks for him, but league sources point to Goedert, who is most likely looking for a multi-year deal around $10-12 million annually. While there is little optimism for a reunion, the consensus leans towards Goedert being on a new team next season.
The departure would leave a gaping hole. Goedert was the offense’s most consistent red-zone and seam threat. The current depth chart offers little to no help: Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson are impending free agents with limited upside. Calcaterra struggled as the backup tight end, especially in his ability to not block properly, and Granson provided value mostly on special teams. Under contract are developmental pieces like Cameron Latu, who is more of a quasi-fullback, E.J. Jenkins, who has one career NFL reception, and Jaheim Bell, who saw no playing time with the Eagles in 2025.
Free agency presents solutions rather than long-term replacements. The tight end market is thin for elite options, with Kyle Pitts already franchise-tagged by Atlanta. Cleveland’s David Njoku has been a name surfaced as an option for the Eagles, with 94.1 WIP’s Elliott-Shorr Parks reporting the Eagles have interest in the veteran, as he could be a fit for the team, potentially on a more affordable deal. Other targets could include reclamation projects or blocking specialists willing to sign short-term bridges. Ralph Vacchiano from FOX Sports reports the Eagles also have interest in the Ravens’ Isaiah Likely, who is only 25 and has very high upside. A low-risk addition could stabilize the team temporarily and could preserve cap space for a bigger priority, such as the offensive line or secondary.
Yet the most promising long-term path would come in the draft, which has some top prospects at tight end. The Eagles met with six tight end prospects at the Scouting Combine, signaling their attention to invest in the position. Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is the consensus top prospect for tight end, and he had a fantastic combine. He ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, which is the fastest 40-yard dash for a tight end in combine history. He also had a 43.5’’ vertical jump and 11’1’’ broad jump, which is ideal for stretching defenses and complementing the mobility that Hurts has. Current mock drafts have Philadelphia taking Sadiq with their first-round selection, but if he were to go ahead of No. 23, the Eagles should be prepared with a backup plan. Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers or Baylor’s Micheal Trigg are potential options for a selection on Day 2 or Day 3, which brings them high upside for the Eagles, who could use their first-round pick to bolster their defensive front or secondary. Roseman could pair a pass-catcher with an in-line blocker to rebuild versatility.
With the current offensive staff changes and a push for better run support, the next tight end(s) must excel in both receiving and blocking. A retained Goedert, which is unlikely, could provide mentorship during a transition, training a new tight end as the youth emerges. Besides that, expect aggressiveness from the front office, whether it’s going to be someone in the draft, or a free agent signing, the next tight end in Philadelphia will have emphasis the sustain the offense’s identity around Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and DeVonta Smith.
The tight end position has been a foundation to the Eagles’ success over the years, and Goedert’s potential exit closes a reliable chapter but opens a new one of reinvention. Roseman’s history of proactive drafting and signing suggests the Eagles won’t let this linger. The front office always aims to keep the offense elite, and while change is coming, opportunity gives us the chance to build anew around Hurts.
Andrew Glover
Andrew is in his first year covering sports for Philly Sports Reports. He is a podcaster and a digital content creator. Right now, he is in his second semester at Temple University pursuing a degree in Media Studies and Production. He has a certificate in Broadcast Journalism from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
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