After a Rough Open to Free Agency, Eagles’ Rebound is Slowly Forming

The Eagles entered the 2026 NFL free agency window with a lot of question marks, and the first day felt like a total nightmare. Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips signed a massive, four-year $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. Linebacker Nakobe Dean went to Vegas on a three-year, $36 million contract, and safety Reed Blankenship signed a three-year deal as well, with the Houston Texans. Jahan Dotson is also headed to the Atlanta Falcons, and the losses piled up fast.

But Howie Roseman isn’t hitting the panic button at all. After adding cornerback Riq Woolen on a one-year deal from the defending champion Seahawks, he also added two tight ends in former Jaguar Johnny Mundt and brought back Grant Calcaterra, both on one-year deals. But the latest move quietly shifts focus to the leading touchdown scorer of last season. Dallas Goedert’s contract void date has been pushed back to Friday. This adjustment coming out of nowhere gives both sides breathing room to work on an extension, which would avoid a massive $20.5 million dead cap hit if Goedert were to leave somewhere on the open market.

The 31-year-old Goedert took a pay cut last offseason to help the cap, then had a career year. He caught 60 passes for 591 yards and an Eagles tight end record 11 touchdowns in 15 games. He’s a reliable threat in the red zone and a fantastic blocker when he’s on the field, but his injury history and age tempered expectations from teams en route to a big payday.

Reports indicate that limited teams are looking for a true TE1. A few teams need one desperately, and the market hasn’t exploded for vets like him. Pushing the void date signals mutual interest between Goedert and the Eagles for a team-friendly extension. The additions of Calcaterra and Mundt provide solid depth, but for a playoff contender in a tough NFC, you can not have those two players being your starting tight ends. Calcaterra returns as a pass-catching specialist, while Mundt brings his blocking strength, which Calcaterra has struggled with. If Goedert were to re-sign, the tight end room the Eagles have would become one of the league’s best. Three versatile, healthy options without having to shell out loads of money.

This also fits Roseman’s pattern, too. Retaining a core talent like Goedert while addressing holes elsewhere, both on offense and defense. Jordan Davis got his extension, and Jalen Carter could be next.

Now, tight end stability could lock in the offense and bring back a key guy in Jalen Hurts’ system. The Goedert update relaxes the offense’s concerns. By retaining him, it avoids disrupting team chemistry and gives Hurts a trusted target in the middle of the field. 

Woolen’s signing still remains the biggest splash of the offseason so far, pairing his length and speed with his soon-to-be All-Pro teammates Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. But edge rush is still thin with the departure of Phillips. After the Baltimore Ravens pulled out of a trade for Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby due to a failed physical, the Eagles have another opportunity to jump on. With the Ravens pivoting to former Bengals EDGE Trey Hendrickson hours after the news went public, the Eagles could be in a contest again for Crosby. He would come with a major cap hit of $35.9 million due to his three-year, $106.5 million extension he signed back with Vegas in March of 2025. Nonetheless, Crosby isn’t off the table yet for the Birds. What will it cost them? That is still unknown. The Ravens traded two first-round selections for Crosby’s services, though his price could drop now that the news is out. Crosby is coming off a meniscus surgery he underwent in January.

Another potential EDGE trade candidate would be for Minnesota’s Jonathan Greenard. Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Eagles have stayed in contact in the hopes of them landing the two time pro bowler. The 6-foot-3 EDGE would instantly stabilize a position currently run by Jalyx Hunt. Greenard has had consecutive seasons of 12+ sacks in both 2023 and 2024.

After a bumpy start, the Eagles are reloading carefully. Bringing back Goedert stabilizes the pass game, Woolen upgrades the back end, and more moves that are to be determined could follow. 

Eagles fans have nothing to worry about. Howie Roseman is the General Manager.

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