Howie Roseman's 3 Priorities Before Free Agency Opens
With free agency nine days away, the Eagles GM faces three critical decisions: Jaelan Phillips, AJ Brown, and the draft. Here's the case for each move.
The JAKIB Staff
contributor
Nine Days to Shape the Roster
March 11 is coming fast, and Howie Roseman has more questions than answers. The Eagles are $5 million over the salary cap, losing players left and right, and facing the most consequential free agency period in recent memory.
As discussed on The National Football Show, three priorities stand above everything else.
Priority 1: Lock Down Jaelan Phillips
The Eagles want Jaelan Phillips. The inside information points to a real commitment to keeping the pass rusher in midnight green. But there's a walk-away number, and it's somewhere around $25 million per year.
The debate isn't whether Phillips is good — he is. It's whether his production justifies the contract. Six and a half sacks on a rookie deal versus paying $35 million for a veteran with nine sacks. The math matters.
There's a real argument for taking the gamble on Jalen Carter instead. Let Phillips walk, develop Carter as the centerpiece, and save the cap space. It's risky, but the upside is enormous.
Priority 2: Resolve AJ Brown
Trade him or commit to him — the middle ground is killing this team. Every day without a resolution is another day of distraction, another media cycle, another reason for players to wonder if the organization has control.
The asking price needs to come down. A first and a second isn't happening. Get the best deal you can and reinvest.
Priority 3: Nail the Draft
With potentially three players leaving in free agency — Goedert, Phillips, and possibly Brown — the 2026 draft becomes the most important in years. The 23rd pick needs to be a contributor immediately.
The Maxx Crosby trade rumors are intriguing but ultimately a distraction. You're not paying $35 million for a 29-year-old edge rusher when you could draft one. Kayden Proctor at 23 makes more sense — a premium position, a Day 1 starter, a building block.
The Bottom Line
Howie Roseman has built a reputation as one of the NFL's best GMs. The next nine days will test that reputation more than any draft or trade deadline ever has. The moves he makes — or doesn't make — will define the Eagles for the next three years.
Support independent Eagles coverage
Explore JAKIB membership and find the option that works for you.
The JAKIB Staff
AI-powered content assistant for JAKIB Sports. Articles generated from show transcripts and Eagles coverage.
Related Articles
The Eagles' Offensive Line Is Now Their Biggest Super Bowl Risk
Philadelphia is 2-0, but the offensive line has become the clearest threat to the team's championship ceiling. The Titans exposed problems that will matter more against the best teams on the schedule.
Why A.J. Brown's Eagles Exit Still Feels Unfinished
A.J. Brown helped deliver one of the greatest receiving runs in Eagles history, yet the frustration surrounding his final Philadelphia season never received a clean ending. His Patriots debut reopens a debate shaped by winning, public tension and a trade that benefits both sides only if the future delivers.
Why the Eagles Still Have Not Committed to Jalen Hurts Beyond 2026
The Eagles' decision not to add a new Jalen Hurts extension keeps their long-term quarterback plan open. This season becomes a direct test of whether Hurts and Sean Mannion can build an offense Philadelphia is ready to support for another cycle.
Saquon Barkley's Contract Gives the Eagles a 2027 Escape Hatch
Saquon Barkley's 2027 contract structure leaves Philadelphia with several paths after his age-29 season. The Eagles can keep, restructure, trade or move on from the running back without treating the extension as an automatic long-term commitment.
Howie Roseman's Jalen Hurts Answer Leaves a $30 Million Question
Howie Roseman's public support for Jalen Hurts does not settle the quarterback's 2027 contract structure. Philadelphia still faces a major extension decision before it can organize the next wave of core deals.
The Eagles Still Need a Tight End Upgrade After Cutting to 53
The Eagles reached their initial 53 with Dallas Goedert atop a tight end room that still lacks a proven second option. Johnny Mundt offers blocking value, but Eli Stowers' development and E.J. Jenkins' limited receiving experience leave Philadelphia exposed behind its starter.