1 hour ago, bpac55 said:

These are my thoughts too. Everyone is arguing that Williams is a product of Carter being doubled. Williams still has to win those 1-on-1 battles and he's dominating when given the chance. I would much rather have Carter with Williams AND Ojomo rotating then Carter with Ojomo (hoping he replicates Williams) and a rookie we know nothing about.

Having Williams and Ojomo fresh in a rotation will give OL fits. Also, heaven for bid Carter gets hurt, Williams and Ojomo are much better than Ojomo and whoever.

Resources are finite.  Choices, no matter how hard they are, must be made.  No one thinks that its 'good' to let Williams walk, or at least no one I've seen.  BUT, the cost for him will be so great that they can't afford to keep him AND multiple others that are also free agents, and/or fast approaching free agency.  

These are actually good problems to have.  But they are still problems.  The Eagles have shown the ability to identify and draft impactful DL over the years.  They have NOT shown that with the LB position consistently.  That alone, not even considering the cost, makes Baun the higher priority than Williams.  So, the question really becomes, which is more affordable... Baun and Williams, or Baun, Becton and Jurgens?

So, for me, resigning Baun is step 1.  Then everything else flows out of that.  Average of top 5 salary for LBs is roughly $17M/year.

The DT market best comp is likely McNeil's deal which is around $24M/year. BUT, he resigned early, which offered him some security, and so he might have left a little money on the table.  Jones gets $31M/year.  Wilkins gets $27.5M/year.  Williams, on the open market, might be more in the range of $27M+ than merely the $20M+ we were hoping for.  The open market always inflates prices.

Meanwhile, the OG market puts Becton around $18M/year, maybe adding some escalators for if he switches to RT.
The Center market for Jurgens, who will be entering his final year is around $15M+/year.  Humphrey gets $18M, but the next highest is only at $13M+/year.  Jurgens coming off surgery and a year before free agency might be a bit of a bargain buy below the very top of the market cost.

So, getting Becton AND Jurgens locked up and keeping a young OL nucleus together would be roughly the same cost as Williams alone... ~$31M/year for Becton and Jurgens vs. $24M-$31M for Williams.

And, looking to the future, can they afford both Williams AND Carter making upwards of $65M/year combined?  I don't see that as feasible, and Carter is the better player, so that's the priority to set the money aside for.  

 

The Eagles have Ojomo ready to step into a bigger role.  It's likely a step back from Williams, but not a huge one.  This draft is loaded with DL talent and, perhaps more importantly, this team has proven they can identify DL talent in the draft.  That's not the case with LB, which again is why Baun is clearly priority 1.  Yes, they can also identify OL talent, so being certain to retain both Becton and Jurgens long term may not be as important... but we just witnessed what happens to a team when the OL collapses.  They still had two All-Pro pieces on the OL... and yet were completely and totally overmatched.  OL and DL are likely the two most important position groups in football.  And the OL play every down, whereas the DL generally rotate.  So, you spend the biggest money on the OL (IMO) and keep restocking the DL as needed as they rotate in and out... and spend the big money only on the ones who truly move the needle.   That would be Carter, not Williams.

Just my two cents.

 

30 minutes ago, Waiting4Someday said:

If we can keep 2, you’ve prioritized Williams and Baun (?). You’ll go to the bargain bin for a veteran DE and rely on the draft, and accept the likely downgrade at OL with Steen.  Tradeoffs, right?

This is just how I think the Eagles will approach things, not what I want in particular. I see a lot of arguments about Williams play being elevated by Carter and the same could be said about Baun. His play was elevated by Fangio's defense. We all saw Oren Burks come in and play at a very high level as well. I've posted his stats over the last 5 games of the season and he was good. 

-The Eagles NEVER invest in LB.

-The Eagles ALWAYS invest in OL/DL

-Howie's homegrown talent doesn't get out of the building very often.

Williams will be their big $ spent. Burks will get a fairly significant pay raise to stay and hold down the fort until Dean/Trotter is ready to rock. They drafted Steen to be a starter, now's his chance.

Becton, Sweat and Baun walk. 

 

6 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

This is just how I think the Eagles will approach things, not what I want in particular. I see a lot of arguments about Williams play being elevated by Carter and the same could be said about Baun. His play was elevated by Fangio's defense. We all saw Oren Burks come in and play at a very high level as well. I've posted his stats over the last 5 games of the season and he was good. 

-The Eagles NEVER invest in LB.

-The Eagles ALWAYS invest in OL/DL

-Howie's homegrown talent doesn't get out of the building very often.

Williams will be their big $ spent. Burks will get a fairly significant pay raise to stay and hold down the fort until Dean/Trotter is ready to rock. They drafted Steen to be a starter, now's his chance.

Becton, Sweat and Baun walk. 

 

They also never invested a 1st round pick in CB with Howie in charge.  

39 minutes ago, aptosbird said:

Are you going to do this with every single name that pops up in FA? I don't understand the fascination with acquiring names...do you understand the concept that players age out and are not the same players anymore? The Eagles have time and again proven to be one of the smarter teams in the NFL...I will trust the process and not react to the noise...

Oh look at you. Completely missing the point while being a jackarse. Congrats. It wasn't a post about wanting to get him

9 hours ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

We broke him 

 

Needs to lost the hat though 

Baun I feel will get a deal that will surprise people a bit. I feel like it will be a reasonable number with huge incentives because even he was shocked by the season he had this year 

I respect most opinions but I am glad the offseason is short because we're circling on the same arguments for free agents (as usual).  It's been like this for 20 years.  Example one or two people will anoint themselves the pro-Becton posters and will respond typing out their entire argument over and over if anyone raises the question about signing him.  After 50 or 60 times we get the point 😀.  I think they believe that Howie won't sign him if they lapse in protecting the argument once

1 hour ago, DrPhilly said:

If we can get Becton at a starting RG level of money and there is enough after Baun is signed then I'm for bringing Becton back.  It is a luxury to have to have Steen as a backup but given how important the OL is I'd be happy to pay for that.

A fair approach. But jurgens needs a raise and Goedert needs extended (which might create some short term cap room for Bectons)

13 hours ago, pgcd3 said:

I know it's sacrilege but he's maybe someone else who should go out on top.  Mistakes are definitely piling up.  I love Merrill would rather not hear him decline more

At the parade he didn’t even look like himself anymore.   Father Time is undefeated.

10 hours ago, TEW said:

Right.

And you can’t have both Williams and Baun.

And we have a better plan B for Williams than we do for Baun. And you can keep both Baun and Becton for roughly the same price as Williams.

It’s really that simple.

We have the plan B for Becton as well

I’m sorry, but anyone who thinks it’s Williams > Baun is out of their minds.

19 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

A fair approach. But jurgens needs a raise and Goedert needs extended (which might create some short term cap room for Bectons)

Counterpoint, Goedert hasn't played a full season in his entire career, you do not need to extend Goedert beyond this season you need a succession plan.

If someone like Gunnar Helm is still there in the late 3rd I wouldn't be surprised to see us take a swing

1 hour ago, bpac55 said:

Williams will be their big $ spent. Burks will get a fairly significant pay raise to stay and hold down the fort until Dean/Trotter is ready to rock. They drafted Steen to be a starter, now's his chance.

Becton, Sweat and Baun walk. 

I'm inclined to think if the Eagles and Milton Williams were close on numbers that he'd have been re-signed by now.  I think the Eagles are prepared for all 4 of the main guys to hit free agency and, at best, have told them to bring Howie their best offer to see if they want to match it and retain them.  Some of them I think Nick and Howie have already wished them good luck. 

It's fine for people to say "of course (player X) will want to stay here because of Stoutland, Hurtt, Fangio, championship", etc.  -- but the fact is that these players recognize this is their one chance to maximize their earnings in free agency.  You can't pay everyone top dollar, and the Eagles are already paying lots of guys top dollar.  Couple that with Howie's newfound unshakeable confidence in his drafting room, and I think the Eagles are comfortable in restocking talent.

I agree with you it's likely only 1 of the 4 big free agents return.  We'll have to wait a couple of weeks to see what happens.  

41 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

A fair approach. But jurgens needs a raise and Goedert needs extended (which might create some short term cap room for Bectons)

Bectonzzzz😉

12 minutes ago, Cochis_Calhoun said:

Counterpoint, Goedert hasn't played a full season in his entire career, you do not need to extend Goedert beyond this season you need a succession plan.

If someone like Gunnar Helm is still there in the late 3rd I wouldn't be surprised to see us take a swing

Yes.  And DG has a big bonus due before the season starts so could get traded.

8 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

I'm inclined to think if the Eagles and Milton Williams were close on numbers that he'd have been re-signed by now.  I think the Eagles are prepared for all 4 of the main guys to hit free agency and, at best, have told them to bring Howie their best offer to see if they want to match it and retain them.  Some of them I think Nick and Howie have already wished them good luck. 

It's fine for people to say "of course (player X) will want to stay here because of Stoutland, Hurtt, Fangio, championship", etc.  -- but the fact is that these players recognize this is their one chance to maximize their earnings in free agency.  You can't pay everyone top dollar, and the Eagles are already paying lots of guys top dollar.  Couple that with Howie's newfound unshakeable confidence in his drafting room, and I think the Eagles are comfortable in restocking talent.

I agree with you it's likely only 1 of the 4 big free agents return.  We'll have to wait a couple of weeks to see what happens.  

I kind of think after the combine we will have more of an indication on those 4. Usually we get pieces of info that come out during the combine from things people heard there. Imo i think there’s a better chance that all 4 are gone than 3 of the 4 return. I tend to think 1 re-signs. 

9 hours ago, Utebird said:

Reminds me of when Tampa signed Alvin Harper away from Dallas to be their number one, he fell on his face because he wasnt batman, michael Irvin was, harper was robin and a really good 2 but you dont give the bag to a 2'and Milton while a really good 2 isnt a 1 but someone will pay him like one.

I agree some team will pay him like one.  The question is how much.  The article quoted below argues that a Garrett extension will cost $37.25 million per year.  If that is correct I would not be surprised if Williams gets a deal in the $25 million to $27 million range.

”A new Myles Garrett deal

Both sides appear to be playing a high-stakes game of "Chicken" where somebody will eventually blink. Garrett said he's willing to do whatever it takes to get out of Cleveland. What actions Garrett may take if the Browns continue to be adamant about keeping him remain to be seen. 

Presumably, the acquiring team or the Browns will be extending Garrett's contract in 2025. Garrett's existing contract is outdated. In four years, he has gone from the league's highest-paid non-quarterback at $25 million per year to tied for the 20th-highest paid. Garrett had two years left on his rookie contract when he signed the extension.

Nick Bosa is at the top of the NFL edge rusher salary hierarchy with the five-year, $170 million extension averaging $34 million per year he received from the 49ers right before the start of the 2023 regular season. The deal has a non-quarterback record of $122.5 million in overall guarantees and $88 million fully guaranteed at signing. 

The highest-paid non-quarterback is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He signed a four-year, $140 million extension last June averaging $35 million per year with $110 million in guarantees, of which $88.743 million was fully guaranteed at signing. The $88.743 million is the most ever fully guaranteed at signing for a non-quarterback.

A new Garrett deal should top Jefferson's $35 million per year. The contract Garrett signed in 2020 was a 6.38% increase over the top of the existing non-quarterback market. A similar increase this time around would put Garrett at $37.25 million per year.”

1 hour ago, Iggles_Phan said:

They also never invested a 1st round pick in CB with Howie in charge.  

No argument there. But, Howie was constantly looking to upgrade CB. LB has always been an afterthought. No one knew Baun would be the player he was last year. When he was signed, everyone was up and arms saying who? Howie was not looking to upgrade LB. He was bargain shopping. Yea, Fangio wanted him, but they struck gold by accident. 

I want Baun back. He made big plays each and every game. I'm just trying to put myself in Howie's shoes based on his past moves. LB getting paid is beyond rare.

1 hour ago, tuffstuff07 said:

Needs to lost the hat though 

Sorry I don't want him

I've seen Chase Young mocked to us a few times. From his POV a short stint on an elite DL to try and get a big bag next FA cycle while he's in his 20s makes sense. Someone will probably overpay him though. 

15 minutes ago, mattwill said:

I agree some team will pay him like one.  The question is how much.  The article quoted below argues that a Garrett extension will cost $37.25 million per year.  If that is correct I would not be surprised if Williams gets a deal in the $25 million to $27 million range.

”A new Myles Garrett deal

Both sides appear to be playing a high-stakes game of "Chicken" where somebody will eventually blink. Garrett said he's willing to do whatever it takes to get out of Cleveland. What actions Garrett may take if the Browns continue to be adamant about keeping him remain to be seen. 

Presumably, the acquiring team or the Browns will be extending Garrett's contract in 2025. Garrett's existing contract is outdated. In four years, he has gone from the league's highest-paid non-quarterback at $25 million per year to tied for the 20th-highest paid. Garrett had two years left on his rookie contract when he signed the extension.

Nick Bosa is at the top of the NFL edge rusher salary hierarchy with the five-year, $170 million extension averaging $34 million per year he received from the 49ers right before the start of the 2023 regular season. The deal has a non-quarterback record of $122.5 million in overall guarantees and $88 million fully guaranteed at signing. 

The highest-paid non-quarterback is Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. He signed a four-year, $140 million extension last June averaging $35 million per year with $110 million in guarantees, of which $88.743 million was fully guaranteed at signing. The $88.743 million is the most ever fully guaranteed at signing for a non-quarterback.

A new Garrett deal should top Jefferson's $35 million per year. The contract Garrett signed in 2020 was a 6.38% increase over the top of the existing non-quarterback market. A similar increase this time around would put Garrett at $37.25 million per year.”

Im not a fan of giving up the assets draft and cap space to acquire garret.

Hes a game wrecker and he and Carter would be a nightmare together but at what cost?

I dont feel like howie is in a position to go all in before the superbowl window closes as they just won 

I think they need to continue to build through the draft and supplement through smart FA pickups.

Id rather pay 3 of our own rather than take a swing at one guy plus lose picks.

We'll see what happens 

 

 

35 minutes ago, Cochis_Calhoun said:

Counterpoint, Goedert hasn't played a full season in his entire career, you do not need to extend Goedert beyond this season you need a succession plan.

If someone like Gunnar Helm is still there in the late 3rd I wouldn't be surprised to see us take a swing

Agreed on DG..I think the extending him would only be to stretch that money down a little..I think he gets a big nut this year but I can't see Howie cutting him OR being able to trade him. 

I'm with you that the draft has to be the way to go..no later then the 3rd round for a TE.

10 minutes ago, DEagle7 said:

I've seen Chase Young mocked to us a few times. From his POV a short stint on an elite DL to try and get a big bag next FA cycle while he's in his 20s makes sense. Someone will probably overpay him though. 

Would love that.  Huge ability.  Sweat hadn’t figured out much by that age either.  

8 minutes ago, Breeze 44 said:

Agreed on DG..I think the extending him would only be to stretch that money down a little..I think he gets a big nut this year but I can't see Howie cutting him OR being able to trade him. 

I'm with you that the draft has to be the way to go..no later then the 3rd round for a TE.

Goedert is due an almost $14mm option bonus before the start of the regular season -- I don't see any way the Eagles pay him that. I think he either agrees to an extension that lowers that number and spreads out the hit (2 year extension where 2025 and 2026 are at least partially guaranteed), or we release him after June 1. Paying that bonus and letting him just finish the contract adds over $11mm of dead money in 2026 for him not to be on the team (~22mm total). 

16 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Would love that.  Huge ability.  Sweat hadn’t figured out much by that age either.  

DC fans complain he that doesn't play hard.

Which is a red flag, and an opportunity, at the same time.