Nakobe Dean or Dallas Goedert: The Eagles Can't Afford to Keep Both — But Which One Walks?

The Howie Roseman Sophie's Choice

Howie Roseman has a problem. Two key players are heading toward the exit — Nakobe Dean and Dallas Goedert — and the Eagles may not want to pay either of them.

That sounds harsh. But when you look at the injury histories, the production relative to cost, and the depth of this draft class at both positions, letting both walk might actually be the right call.

The Case for Nakobe Dean

On a rookie deal, Dean is a no-brainer. He's a legitimate playmaker at inside linebacker — fast, instinctive, and capable of impacting games when healthy. The problem is that last part: "when healthy."

Dean can't stay on the field. He's hurt always. And when you're negotiating a second contract with a player whose body has consistently broken down through four NFL seasons, you're not just paying for talent. You're paying for risk.

On his rookie deal, that risk was manageable. But on a $10-15 million per year extension? That's real money tied up in a player who might give you 11 games if you're lucky. Frank Gore was there every Sunday for 16 seasons. Nakobe Dean is not Frank Gore.

The counter-argument is that Dean is still young and talented enough to be worth the gamble. Letting him walk when linebacker depth isn't exactly Philadelphia's strong suit feels reckless. But at what price?

The Case for Dallas Goedert

Goedert had a decent season. The touchdowns looked good on the stat sheet — until you realized half of them were shuffle passes that any tight end in the league could've caught. The eye test over the full season was "OK." Not great. Not terrible. Just OK.

His best football came in the Super Bowl year, when he made critical plays in critical moments. Since then? The production has been inconsistent, the injuries have piled up, and the asking price will be significant.

Here's the thing that changes the calculus completely: the 2026 tight end draft class is deep and talented. The Oregon prospect, Royer from Cincinnati, Bentley from Utah — these are impact players who can contribute immediately on rookie deals. Colston Loveland is already producing in Chicago. Why pay Goedert $15-20 million when you can draft his replacement for pennies?

The Uncomfortable Answer

The answer might be neither. Let Dean walk. Let Goedert walk. Draft a tight end in the second or third round. Sign a mid-level linebacker in free agency or address it in the middle rounds.

For Dean, it's about money. The Eagles believe in what he brings, but not at second-contract prices with his injury history.

For Goedert, it's about commitment. Can he stay healthy enough to justify the investment? The Eagles aren't sure. And when you're not sure about a tight end making $18 million, that's your answer.

The Bigger Picture

This is what the offseason is about: making hard choices with imperfect information. The Eagles have limited cap space, especially if they're carrying AJ Brown's $32 million hit. Every dollar committed to Dean or Goedert is a dollar that can't go to an edge rusher, a corner, or offensive line depth.

The draft is deep at tight end. Free agency has linebacker options. And sometimes the best roster-building move is knowing when to let good players leave so you can build something better with younger, cheaper talent.

It's cold. It's ruthless. It's how you sustain a championship window.