Eagles Free Agency Blueprint: Handle the House Before Shopping Outside

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a season that ended short of their ultimate goal, and now the real work begins. Before Howie Roseman picks up the phone to chase targets on the open market, the front office has critical business to handle inside the building first. As discussed on Birds 365, this offseason is about getting the house in order before going shopping outside — and the order of operations matters enormously.

The Eagles are expected to be slightly more active in free agency than last year's historically quiet approach, but that doesn't mean they'll be reckless. The priority list is clear, and it starts with two franchise cornerstones whose situations need resolution before anything else moves forward.

Priority One: Resolve Lane Johnson and AJ Brown

Before the Eagles can map out their cap space and free agency strategy, they need clarity on two of the biggest names on the roster: Lane Johnson and AJ Brown. Both situations carry massive cap implications, and the direction of the entire offseason hinges on how these two are resolved.

Lane Johnson remains one of the best right tackles in football when healthy, but he's entering the stage of his career where every season could be the last. The Eagles need to have an honest conversation about his future — whether that's a restructured deal, a retirement timeline, or simply running it back. Whatever happens, the financial picture changes dramatically depending on the outcome.

AJ Brown's situation is equally significant. He's the engine of the passing game and one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL, but his contract and the cap landscape require attention. The Eagles invested heavily to acquire Brown, and they need him locked in and committed for the long haul. Resolving his situation early gives the front office a clear picture of what they're working with financially and sends a signal to the rest of the roster that the core is staying intact.

As discussed on Birds 365, these aren't just contract negotiations — they're franchise-defining decisions. You can't plan the rest of your offseason when your best offensive lineman and your number-one receiver are in limbo. Handle these first, and everything else falls into place.

Priority Two: The In-House Free Agents

Once the Johnson and Brown situations are settled, the Eagles face a wave of in-house free agency decisions that will shape the roster's depth and identity heading into 2026. And one name towers above the rest.

Jaelan Phillips: THE Decision of the Offseason

As discussed on Birds 365, Jaelan Phillips is the most important decision of the entire offseason — full stop. The edge rusher has shown flashes of dominance and possesses the kind of athletic upside that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. If Phillips walks in free agency, edge rush instantly becomes a critical problem that the Eagles would need to address through the draft, free agency, or trade — all of which are more expensive and less certain than retaining the talent already in the building.

The pass rush is the heartbeat of any championship defense, and the Eagles cannot afford to let it weaken. Phillips represents a known commodity in a position group where finding reliable production is incredibly difficult. The price to retain him may be steep, but the cost of replacing him could be even steeper. This is the kind of decision that separates good offseasons from great ones.

Reed Blankenship: The Secondary's Anchor

Reed Blankenship has gone from undrafted afterthought to legitimate starting safety in the NFL. His development has been one of the best stories in recent Eagles history, and letting him walk would create a hole in the secondary that's harder to fill than people realize. Blankenship brings intelligence, physicality, and leadership to the back end of the defense. The Eagles have a track record of developing these kinds of players and then watching them leave — this is an opportunity to break that cycle.

Nakobe Dean: Linebacker of the Future?

Nakobe Dean's situation is fascinating. The former third-round pick has the talent and instincts to be a long-term starter at linebacker, but his journey has been marked by injuries and inconsistency. The Eagles need to decide whether they believe in his ceiling enough to invest, or whether they'd rather let the market set his price and potentially move on. Given the Eagles' defensive scheme and Dean's upside, retaining him at a reasonable number makes sense — but the key word is reasonable.

Dallas Goedert: The Tight End Question

Dallas Goedert remains one of the most talented tight ends in football, but health has been a persistent concern. When he's on the field, he's a mismatch nightmare who can stretch the seam and block in the run game. The question is whether the Eagles can count on him to stay available for a full season. The tight end market has exploded across the league, and Goedert's talent commands premium compensation — but the Eagles need to weigh that against his availability track record.

Priority Three: External Free Agency

Only after the internal business is handled should the Eagles turn their attention to the open market. Last year's approach was famously quiet — almost too quiet, as it turned out. The Isaiah Rodgers situation is the perfect example of what can go wrong when you're too passive. As discussed on Birds 365, the Eagles wanted Rodgers back but ultimately lost him, forcing them to pivot and find alternatives at cornerback. That experience should serve as a cautionary tale heading into this offseason.

The expectation is that the Eagles will be slightly more active than last year, but don't expect Howie Roseman to start handing out massive contracts to outside free agents. That's never been the Eagles' style under this regime, and it's unlikely to change now. Instead, look for targeted additions — players who fill specific roster holes at positions where the draft doesn't offer great value, or veterans who can provide depth and leadership in a locker room chasing a championship.

The key is that external free agency should complement the internal work, not replace it. If the Eagles lock down Phillips, retain Blankenship, make smart decisions on Dean and Goedert, and resolve the Johnson and Brown situations, then free agency becomes about adding the final pieces rather than filling gaping holes. That's a much better position to be in.

The Bottom Line

The Eagles' free agency blueprint is straightforward in concept but demanding in execution. Resolve Lane Johnson and AJ Brown first. Lock down Jaelan Phillips — the single most important decision of the offseason. Make smart calls on Blankenship, Dean, and Goedert. Then, and only then, go shopping on the open market with a clear picture of what you need and what you can afford.

As discussed on Birds 365, the order matters. Last year's quiet approach had its merits, but the Rodgers loss showed the danger of being too passive. This year, the Eagles need to be deliberate, decisive, and willing to pay the price to keep their own guys. Handle the house first, then go shopping outside. That's the blueprint for a roster that's built to compete for a championship in 2026 and beyond.

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