Eagles 2026 Free Agency Preview: Jaelan Phillips Is the Top Priority, Nakobe Dean Likely Gone

The Eagles' 2026 free agency period is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory. On Thursday's Birds 365, John McMullen and Zander Krause broke down the key players set to hit the market and what the Eagles might do at each position.

Jaelan Phillips: The Crown Jewel

McMullen was emphatic that Jaelan Phillips is the Eagles' number one free agent priority. He described Phillips as the linchpin of the defense's turnaround, arguing that 'everything kind of fit into place' after Phillips arrived. Despite Phillips not posting elite sack numbers, McMullen stressed the overall impact was undeniable.

Phillips operates from a position of strength on the open market. McMullen noted there aren't any 27-year-old edge rushers at his level scheduled to be free agents. The closest comparisons — Malcolm Koonce (28), Uchenna Nwosu (28), and DJ Wonnum (29) — aren't at Phillips' caliber.

McMullen projected a deal around five years with an average annual value of roughly $25 million and approximately $60 million guaranteed, though he emphasized the contract would include voidable years making it functionally a two-year deal with an out — similar to how Nick Bonito's recent four-year, $106 million deal with the Broncos included 10 voidable years.

Krause was more cautious, citing Phillips' injury history — a grade-three Achilles tear in November 2023 and a grade-three ACL tear in September 2024. His walkaway number was closer to $20 million annually, compared to McMullen's $25 million threshold. Both agreed that without Phillips, the Eagles' pass rush isn't good enough with just Nolan Smith and Jalex Hunt.

Nolan Smith vs. Jalex Hunt

An interesting subplot emerged around the edge rusher depth chart. Both McMullen and Krause agreed they'd rather invest long-term in Jalex Hunt over Nolan Smith, citing Hunt's higher upside and lower injury risk. McMullen noted that Smith still has time on his rookie deal through 2027 with the fifth-year option, so there's no rush.

McMullen suggested that if the Eagles are paying Phillips and Jalen Carter, there's likely no room for a big Nolan Smith extension. Smith would need a breakout 2026 season to change the math.

Nakobe Dean: A Painful Goodbye

Perhaps the most emotional discussion of the show centered on Nakobe Dean, who McMullen called one of his top five people on the team and possibly number one in terms of leadership and positive impact on the organization. Despite that glowing assessment, McMullen sees Dean's departure as all but certain.

The reason is simple: Jihad Campbell is ready to step in as the starter, and the Eagles also have Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Oren Burks providing depth. The only scenario where Dean returns is on a one-year prove-it deal if no other team offers him a multi-year starter-level contract — and McMullen believes someone will.

Reed Blankenship: The Easiest Decision

McMullen called Reed Blankenship 'almost certainly coming back' and perhaps the biggest no-brainer of the Eagles' free agency class. Despite coming off his worst personal season, Blankenship remains Vic Fangio's leader of the secondary. With Sydney Brown coming back from injury and still developing, the Eagles can't afford two young safeties learning on the job.

McMullen projected a two-year deal in the $8-10 million per year range. Krause went slightly higher at three years, $30 million with $18 million guaranteed. Either way, both agreed Blankenship won't break the bank and the Eagles need him back.

The Offense: Goedert, Brown, and Lane Johnson

On the offensive side, the picture is more concerning. McMullen doesn't see any path to Dallas Goedert returning, projecting a two-year deal worth $25-30 million from another team. A.J. Brown's future is 50-50 at best, with McMullen leaning toward him not being back. And Lane Johnson's status remains a question mark given his age (36) and the lingering effects of a Lisfranc injury that ended his 2025 season.

Krause sounded the alarm: 'If A.J. Brown's gone and Dallas Goedert's gone, and God forbid Lane Johnson's gone, I don't give a rat's ass who you hire as OC. The offense is not getting better without those three guys.' McMullen countered that the draft — particularly at wide receiver — is deep enough to add meaningful pieces, pointing to the production of recent second and third-round receivers across the league.

McMullen also noted that if the Eagles take an offensive lineman like Kelvin Banks Jr. or another top prospect in the first round, and Lane Johnson returns healthy, the line could actually improve. The draft will be critical in replacing any departing talent.

Watch the full episode of Birds 365 on YouTube at youtube.com/@jakibsports. Listen on Apple Podcasts (search 'Birds 365 Philadelphia Eagles') or Spotify (search 'JAKIB Sports').