While Jalen Carter has been and will continue sucking all the air out of this discussion, there are several starters and key back-up Eagles going into their contract year and Howie has to make several decisions.

Let's look at the free agents to be -

CB - Ric Wollen, not much chance to re-sign him. We have big paydays coming for Q and Cooper. Wollen wants to go into free agency with a solid hear behind him. Not much chance for new deals for Jonathan Jones, Ringo, of Bennett. Whatever happens a high draft pick at corner is a given.

DT - Major Ojomo. All of us would love to keep him, but like Milton Williams we just can't. Big $'s for Carter and Davis preclude it and like Wollen Ojomo sees a big FA contract in the offing. The pipe dream/nightmare of tradeing Cater and keeping Ojomo is total crap.

Edge - here's a maybe. If Arnold Ebekitie has a strong training camp and pre-season he's a real candidate. Espenesa is also a possibility. Nolan Smith will also have to wait a year and his prospects are strivtly up to how well he plays.

S - Epps and Gray are free agents but don't have any prospects to get re-signed before the next free agency period.

G - Tyler STeen is one of the the most likely. The Eagles Don't have depth at guard and Dickerson's longevity is a constant question. Morris, Roberts, and Hinton give us young developmental depth but the key word is developmental.

OT - Big Fred has learned the grass isn't necessarily greener on the other side. If he's with the Eagles in 2027, he probably gets re-signed after the 2026 season. His prospects also will rise and fall with two things he doesn't control - the progress of the young tackles and Lane Johnson's decision on whether or not to play in 2027. In fact, if Markel Bell or Cameron Williams are lights out, Big Fred is a trade candidate.

RB - Tank Bigsby. Why not, he's a great complimentary piece. Howie's probably got him in his sights. On the other hand, does Tank want to go inot free agency so he can search for a starters job.

TE - Does anyone really expect Goedert, Calcaterra or Johnny Mundt to be re-signed this year. Forget it.

WR- Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, and a flock of won't bes, never weres, and aren'ts. Brown and Moore might even be trade candidates.

QB - Does McKee get traded? Is he determined to compete for a starters job? If he answer to these is no, he could ger a deal before the sesaon starts. Dalton, hmmm - no way.

None of them are worth re signing before the season till we see what they bring to the team this season.

Would love to see Steen sign. Same with Bigsby but I would say that is like a 1% chance with Bigsby considering the way he was used last year. The way things stand now CB and RB will be big needs next year.

On 7/1/2026 at 6:09 AM, Eagles1960 said:

Would love to see Steen sign. Same with Bigsby but I would say that is like a 1% chance with Bigsby considering the way he was used last year. The way things stand now CB and RB will be big needs next year.

I think Bigsby might look ahead to Saquon slowing down and be willing to stay.

Completely agree on CB and would add TE since all of them are going to be free agents.

On 6/30/2026 at 4:50 PM, Bwestbrook36 said:

None of them are worth re signing before the season till we see what they bring to the team this season.

There's a couple of reasons I can't agree with you regarding Steen bwest.

1 - Steen along with Milata were our best offensive linemen last year.

2 - Unless you think Hinton or Morris can step in we'd have to use a high draft pick on a guard.

3 - We might need a left guard depending on Dickerson's health and/or retirement status.