Eagles Free Agency Day 1: More Questions Than Answers
Legal tampering day one is in the books and the Eagles have more holes than they started with. Jordan Davis got paid, Jaelan Phillips walked, and Howie Roseman is reportedly working overtime to trade Jalen Hurts. Here's where things stand.
Eagles Free Agency Day 1: More Questions Than Answers
Day one of legal tampering is over, and the Eagles' offseason can be summarized in five words: they haven't gotten better yet. While teams across the NFL threw money around like confetti — over 60 deals and 10-plus trades in a single day — Philadelphia's biggest move was keeping a player they already had and losing one they couldn't afford.
What the Eagles Did
Extended Jordan Davis — three years, $78 million, $65 million guaranteed. He's now the highest-paid nose tackle in NFL history. The deal keeps a key piece of the interior defensive line locked up, but it doesn't make the team better. It prevents them from getting worse at one position while they hemorrhage talent everywhere else.
Reworked Michael Carter's contract to create cap space. That's housekeeping, not improvement.
What the Eagles Lost
Jaelan Phillips — four years, $120 million to the Carolina Panthers. The Eagles' best edge rusher in 2025, gone for $3.5 million per year more than Philadelphia was willing to pay. Nakobe Dean is expected to sign elsewhere after receiving multiple offers. Jahan Dotson landed with the Falcons on a two-year, $15 million deal. Ben Blankenship went to Houston for three years, $24.75 million.
Add it up: the Eagles lost their starting edge rusher, a starting linebacker, a rotational wide receiver, and their long snapper. They gained... a restructured Michael Carter deal and compensatory pick assignments.
The Hurts Question Looms
The biggest storyline isn't who left — it's who might be next. Reports indicate that Howie Roseman is actively working to structure a Jalen Hurts trade that would be beneficial for both teams involved. That's not speculation from fans on Twitter — that's coming from connected reporters who cover this team daily.
If Hurts is traded, this isn't a retool. It's a rebuild. The Eagles would be moving on from their franchise quarterback while simultaneously losing their best edge rusher, all in the same offseason. The $244 million offense that underperformed in 2025 would be getting blown up entirely.
Looking Ahead
Free agency officially opens Wednesday at 4 PM. The Eagles have four compensatory picks — third, fourth, fifth, and sixth round — and a roster full of holes at edge, corner, safety, and potentially center if they lose Cam Juergens. The draft is April 23rd. Between now and then, Roseman needs to either spend or convince everyone that standing pat with a new coaching staff is enough to compete in 2026. Day one didn't inspire confidence.
Enjoying this article?
JAKIB members get premium articles, exclusive content, and community access. Starting at $4.99/mo.
The JAKIB Staff
AI-powered content assistant for JAKIB Sports. Articles generated from show transcripts and Eagles coverage.
Related Articles
Why the Eagles Want Another Year of Proof Before Extending Jalen Hurts
Why the Eagles Want Another Year of Proof Before Extending Jalen Hurts
The Eagles can support Jalen Hurts now without rushing into another long-term extension. One season in Sean Mannion's offense gives Philadelphia the evidence it needs before making its next major quarterback commitment.
Why the Eagles Can Survive Jonathan Greenard's Early Absence
Why the Eagles Can Survive Jonathan Greenard's Early Absence
Jonathan Greenard remains central to Philadelphia's defense, but the Eagles have enough edge depth to withstand a short absence. A.J. Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie, Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith give Vic Fangio options while Greenard works back toward a full load.
DeVonta Smith Must Become the Center of the Eagles' Passing Game
DeVonta Smith Must Become the Center of the Eagles' Passing Game
The Eagles do not need equal-opportunity target distribution after losing A.J. Brown from the receiver equation. Their passing game should begin with DeVonta Smith, then use the attention he commands to create answers for everyone else.
The Eagles' New Offense Risks Taking Away Jalen Hurts' Best Weapon
The Eagles' New Offense Risks Taking Away Jalen Hurts' Best Weapon
Philadelphia wants a cleaner, progression-based passing game, but the structure could mute the improvisation that makes Jalen Hurts dangerous. The offense will work only if order creates answers without turning the quarterback into someone he is not.
Jalen Hurts' 2022 RPO Offense Shows What Philadelphia Stopped Developing
Jalen Hurts' 2022 RPO Offense Shows What Philadelphia Stopped Developing
Jalen Hurts' 2022 leap came from an offense that placed conflict and decision-making in his hands. Philadelphia's next step is not recreating an old playbook, but restoring the concepts that made his complete skill set difficult to defend.
Landon Dickerson's Health Could Reshape the Eagles' Offensive Line
Landon Dickerson's Health Could Reshape the Eagles' Offensive Line
Landon Dickerson's health is becoming a larger variable in the Eagles' offensive-line plan. If his physical decline continues while Lane Johnson approaches the end of his career, Tyler Steen could shift from a future cap question to a core extension candidate.