Twenty Eagles are free agents. Not all will return. The reasons are many — financial, upgrades, time to move on.
Today, we look at the 11 defensive free agents and predict their future. Tomorrow, we’ll analyze the nine offensive free agents.
Every defensive player is an unrestricted free agent, meaning they have four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract. They are free to sign with any team when the NFL year begins on March 15.
Of the 11 defensive free agents, six are on the defensive line, three from the secondary and two linebackers. I believe the Eagles will sign five of the 11. These are tough decisions, cutting guys who helped you get to a Super Bowl. Such is life in the NFL.
JAMES BRADBERRY, cornerback
Eagles signed him to a one-year deal and he had a great season — the Super Bowl penalty aside. Bradberry already said he is looking for big money, something the Eagles might be reluctant to fork over to a 30-year-old.
HE WON’T BE BACK
FLETCHER COX, defensive tackle
An Eagles icon who will turn 33 next season. He made $14 million last year and that money might be a bridge too far for a team brimming with defensive line depth. He provides leadership and mentorship but Eagles might be ready to move forward with Jordan Davis. If Cox will play for less, he could stay.
HE WON’T BE BACK
T.J. EDWARDS, linebacker
He had the best season of his four-year career. He had 159 tackles, tied for seventh in the league, and two sacks. He called the defensive signals. He was a sure tackler in space.
The Eagles would be smart to re-sign him and have him continue to grow in the middle.
HE WILL BE BACK
MARCUS EPPS, safety
Solid, reliable player at a position where the Eagles usually struggle. His future might depend on whether the Eagles re-sign C.J. Gardner Johnson. I’d keep them both.
HE WILL BE BACK
C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON, safety
The Eagles acquired him in a trade with the Saints two weeks before the season opener. He tied for the league lead with six interceptions despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney.
He’s only 25. He has a nose for the ball. He makes plays. He hits. He can play safety and the slot. If safety Reed Blankenship continues to develop, Gardner-Johnson can play the slot and the overall secondary is improved.
He is going to command a large contract, one I think the Eagles would be wise to pay, or they could franchise-tag him. They could go with a draft pick but run the risk of turning a strength into a question mark.
HE WILL BE BACK
BRANDON GRAHAM, defensive end
This Philly hero had his first double-digit sack season (11) of his 13-year career. That accomplishment came on only 474 snaps (42.8 percent of defensive snaps).
Graham is part of the defensive line rotation that helped account for a team-record 70 sacks. He is a team leader, a presence in the locker room who keeps everybody loose.
Graham said he wants to play two more years. He would prefer Philly but he wants to play somewhere.
This is a tough call for the Eagles. Graham turns 35 in April. They don’t know how long he will be productive. Yet, he had a terrific 2022 and he has a bucket-full of intangibles.
HE WILL BE BACK
JAVON HARGRAVE, defensive tackle
He was a force in 2022, with 11 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and 60 tackles. Hargrave dominated the center of the line and there were games when he was in the backfield constantly, harassing the quarterback.
He is 30 years old. There will be enormous interest around the league, driving up his price. If the Eagles don’t re-sign Cox, they will have to bring back Hargrave.
HE WILL BE BACK
LINVAL JOSEPH, defensive tackle
He was a midseason acquisition, straight from his family room, after Davis was injured. He helped against the run but he will turn 35 in October. There doesn’t seem to be a spot for Joseph.
HE WILL NOT BE BACK
ROBERT QUINN, defensive end
With some fanfare, the Eagles acquired Quinn in a trade with the Bears. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and at 32, the thought was he had something left in the tank. In six games, he had two tackles and no sacks.
The Eagles gave the Bears a fourth-round pick. Ouch.
HE WILL NOT BE BACK
NDAMUKONG SUH, defensive tackle
The Eagles also plucked Suh from his sofa. He is 36 and provided an edgy presence in the middle. Can’t imagine the Eagles will bring him back. In eight games, Suh had 10 tackles and one sack. The Eagles are looking for more.
HE WILL NOT BE BACK
KYZIR WHITE, linebacker
White had his moments and was a solid pick-up last offseason. Linebackers White and T.J. Edwards are free agents and they have talented Nakobe Dean languishing on the bench. In Dean’s limited playing time, he drew praise from Nick Sirianni and former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
I think the Eagles cut White, keep Edwards, and give Dean a full-throated chance to show his stuff.
HE WILL NOT BE BACK
