Eagles Sign Edge Rusher Arnold Ebiketie to One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms with former Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie on a one-year contract worth up to $7.3 million with $4.3 million guaranteed, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The signing addresses Philadelphia's most glaring need heading into the 2026 season — pass rush help after losing Jaelan Phillips to the Carolina Panthers on a four-year, $120 million deal during the opening hours of free agency.

Ebiketie, 27, was selected by the Falcons with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Penn State, where he transferred after spending his first four college seasons at Temple. He brings four years of NFL experience and a proven ability to get after the quarterback, recording 16.5 sacks across his career in Atlanta, including six sacks in both 2023 and 2024.

While Ebiketie primarily served as a rotational player in Atlanta — never eclipsing 50 percent of defensive snaps in any of his four seasons — his pass-rush production has been consistent. His 31 quarterback pressures as a rookie ranked fifth among all 2022 draft picks, and he has continued to develop as an edge rusher with each passing season.

The one-year, prove-it deal structure fits the Eagles' broader free agency strategy this offseason. Philadelphia has been one of the quietest contenders in the league through the first week of free agency, with general manager Howie Roseman clearly operating with an eye toward maximizing 2027 compensatory draft picks by limiting the value of outside signings.

The Eagles' edge rusher room was dangerously thin heading into today. With Phillips gone to Carolina, Azeez Ojulari signed with Atlanta, and Joshua Uche headed to Miami, Philadelphia had only Nolan Smith and 2024 draft pick Jalyx Hunt under contract at the position. Ebiketie immediately provides a veteran presence and a pass rusher with a track record of production.

This is the Eagles' second outside signing of free agency, following the one-year deal with former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen earlier in the week. Philadelphia has also re-signed tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Johnny Mundt, extended punter Braden Mann on a four-year deal, and added veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones from Washington.

The Ebiketie signing does not close the book on Philadelphia's pass rush search. Reports continue to link the Eagles to Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard in potential trade discussions, with multiple reporters indicating that talks have been ongoing throughout the week. The Eagles were also among the teams that made offers to Trey Hendrickson before the star edge rusher signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year, $112 million deal.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles' secondary has been bolstered by the additions of Woolen and Jones to a cornerback room that already includes Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. The bigger questions remain at safety, where Reed Blankenship departed for the Houston Texans, and at tight end, where the Dallas Goedert extension deadline arrives today. If no deal is reached, Goedert's departure would trigger approximately $20.5 million in dead money against Philadelphia's cap.

With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching and the No. 23 overall pick in hand — plus four selections in the top 100 — the Eagles appear to be building their roster through a combination of targeted, value-driven free agent additions and draft capital. Ebiketie fits that mold: a young, productive pass rusher on a short-term deal who can contribute immediately while Philadelphia develops its younger edge rushers.

The Eagles now have six confirmed roster moves this offseason, in addition to the Jordan Davis three-year, $78 million extension signed March 7 and the Landon Dickerson contract restructure. The A.J. Brown trade situation remains unresolved, with no deal expected before June 1 when the dead cap implications become more manageable.