Offseason Overview

Posted March 23rd, 2026

I think most fans have been underwhelmed by the Eagles offseason. They haven’t made any splashy moves. They’ve signed guys on a bunch of one-year deals. At the same time the team has seen several starters leave for big money and some role players go as well.

I actually think Howie Roseman has done a good job of managing the offseason, especially when you think of resources as well as players. I’m not alone in that.

Let’s start by talking about resources. Howie entered free agency with mid-level cap space. By re-signing Dallas Goedert and structuring contracts carefully, the Eagles now have about $38M in cap space. That gives them the flexibility to pursue a big deal if there is anyone they like (Jonathan Greenard?). It also can help them with the AJ Brown situation.

The Eagles lost Jaelan Phillips in free agency. He went for more money than anyone expected. The Eagles will now receive a third round comp pick next year for losing him. That will help in what is projected to be a stacked draft class.

Howie took a player the Eagles didn’t want and traded him to move up in the draft. At best, Sydney Brown was going to be a STer and backup.

That’s not a substanial return, but you get something out of a player you might have cut. You move up to the middle of the fourth round. There is value in that. The draft isn’t great at the top, but rounds 2 through 4 look pretty good, especially where the Eagles need help.

By signing QB Andy Dalton the Eagles now have the flexibility to trade Tanner McKee if they get the right offer. The Eagles reportedly are asking for a second rounder. That could be in 2027. They might be willing to take a third this year. We’ll see if anything develops.

Howie has improved the team’s cap space. He’s helped both the 2026 and 2027 draft picks, with the potential to add more. That’s a good job.

Now let’s talk players. Signing Riq Woolen could be a great move if he plays up to his talent. He fits the Eagles love of speedy corners. And Woolen has great size. He also has great ball skills and is an interesting fit in Vic Fangio’s scheme. If he plays well the Eagles have the best trio of corners in the league. They signed Jonathan Jones to give them depth outside and in the slot. Howie admitted CB depth was an issue last year. That shouldn’t be the case this season.

I think too many people are down on the Arnold Ebikete signing because of Uche/Ojulari. Those guys didn’t pan out, but Ebikete feels different. He’s healthy, versatile and is a player the Eagles have liked since college. The team missed with QBs like Carson Strong and Clayton Thorson, but nailed the McKee pick (sixth round). Every player is different. Every situation is different.

I know clips show the highlights. The point isn’t to focus on the results, but rather the traits and skills. You see an athletic rusher who is also a good run defender and effective when he has to drop into coverage. He’s not in Philly to replace Jaelan Phillips, but rather to add to the edge rusher group. The Eagles are still going to add another edge rusher.

TE is in much better shape. Bringing back DG at $7M was a no-brainer. He’s still a good receiver. Johny Mundt gives the Eagles their best blocking TE in a while. Howie told us he had to re-think the position and he lived up to his word. Grant Calcaterra and Stone Smartt will compete for a role. Both are athletic, receiving types. Smartt is better on STs and that could give him an edge.

RB Dameon Pierce is a good value signing. He has experience and talent. He is here to compete for a roster spot and offer insurance in case of injury. I think he would be an ideal practice squad candidate.

Safety is an interesting position. Drew Mukuba is back for Year 2. I think people forget how things went for him last season. Mukuba was erratic early on, which Fangio pointed out. He made some big plays and gave up some big plays. As the year went on, he got better, as did the defense. The Eagles were high on him in the draft. This is a guy they really wanted.

The team brought back Marcus Epps to likely be the other starter. He played well in his four starts last year. He won’t be given the job. Michael Carter could be competing with him for the role. Epps is the better hitter/tackler. Carter is better in man coverage. The team is also likely to take a safety in the middle rounds of the draft. The good news is that you can find starters there. Craig Woodson was a fourth round pick by the Pats last year. He started 15 games for a team that made the Super Bowl. Sean Considine…oops, that’s a bad example.

The Eagles were able to re-sign Braden Mann. He is a good punter and very good holder. They added JT Gray to replace Sydney Brown as a backup safety and key STer.

WR is still a mystery position. AJ Brown seems to want a trade. The Eagles are trying to make that happen, but only if they get the right price. They signed Hollywood Brown to be the #3 receiver and replace Jahan Dotson. Johnny Wilson will be back from injury and helps as a role player. There will be a move or two to come. The Eagles could still add a free agent. I think they are likely to take a receiver in the draft. It could be in the first round or on Day 3. This is a deep group of receivers so you don’t have to reach.

The final position to cover is the OL. This must be addressed in the draft. There aren’t good OL available via free agency. The starting line for 2026 is set, barring injury setbacks. With age and injury concerns the team must add at least one high end player for the future. Vega Ioane is the OG they could take early. There are several OTs who could make it to 23. If the Eagles go OT early, I still think they could find a good OG in the middle rounds. There is still the possibility of bringing back Fred Johnson, but he would be a band-aid. The Eagles need to add guys that can develop into future starters.

This hasn’t been the sexiest or most exciting offseason, but Howie Roseman has done a good job of dealing with complicated situations and making the most of them. The Eagles have the financial resources to still make a big move if the right one comes available. They have the draft resources to fill some of the key holes that remain. There is still a lot of work to be done.

https://igglesblitz.com/2026/03/offseason-overview-3/

Honestly I don’t know if it’s the SB win just over a year ago. The underwhelming season we’ve just had. Me getting a year older. Or the fact I’m in the process of setting up a business that is taking my complete focus (well most of it). But I’m just not as switched on and engaged with things this year.

It may actually be because I’m looking at the team and I’m thinking we might be coming up to a down year or two. There are so many young guys who are going to get paid in the next year or two that it is going to be hard to add too much to this team.

I think Howie has done a good job to retool and to free up some cap space. He could look at making a splash trade and he can now move AJ (if he can get the right offer). But this team isn’t going to be able to do a lot and there’s a lot of holes on this team still.