Howie Roseman is one of the best general managers in the NFL. Not all of his moves have been great, but his masterful management of the cap and timely trades have kept the Eagles a contender year after year. Let’s rank 10 of Howie’s best free agency moves as general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles. These moves include signings and trades, and range over his entire time in the organization.
Howie Roseman’s 10 best free agency moves
10. Jake Elliott, K
Kickers matter too! Before Elliott was an Eagle, the team struggled with consistency at the position with Caleb Sturgis, Alex Henery, and Cody Parkey. Howie snagged him off the Bengals practice squad in 2017, after Caleb Sturgis was injured. He has become the second-best kicker in Eagles history, after beloved David Akers. Elliot was pivotal during the 2017 Super Bowl season, nailing a 61-yarder to defeat the New York Giants, and a 46-yarder to seal the Super Bowl Victory over the New England Patriots. Elliot has set Eagles’ franchise records and established himself as one of the best young kickers in the NFL.
9. LeGarrette Blount, RB
Blount was signed late in 2017 for just $1.25 million, adding huge production to a running back group in need of a boost. He was in Philadelphia for just one season but it was memorable, rushing for 766 yards and two touchdowns. 136 of those rushing yards came in a week 4 matchup against the Chargers, a game one could argue he singlehandedly won. In Super Bowl 52, he rushed for 90 yards and a 21-yard touchdown run where he shed multiple tackles. Blount was the ultimate “low risk, high reward” signing.
8. Haason Reddick, LB
In 2022, Howie inked Reddick to a three-year, $45 million contract. Reddick was the best performer on the Eagles’ defensive line on the journey to Super Bowl 57. During the 2022 season, he recorded 16 sacks, a career-high, and five forced fumbles. He recorded two sacks in the NFC championship game, forcing a Brock Purdy fumble and his exit from the game. Reddick is in his prime, will continue to be a force against opposing offensive lines. He’s well worth the 15 million per year the Eagles are paying him.
7. AJ Brown, WR
On the opening night of the 2022 NFL draft, Howie orchestrated a trade that brought Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for the 18th overall pick. A four-year $100 million extension was worked out with the trade. Brown finished the 2022 season with 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns, delivering one of the best wide receiver seasons in Eagles’ history. Now 24-year-old Jalen Hurts and 25-year-old A.J Brown, best friends, get to play together for years to come. With Devonta Smith, Philadelphia has the dream wide receiver duo.
6. Chris Long, DE
Just a few weeks after the start of free agency in 2017, Howie signed Long to a two-year deal. Long contributed to the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning season and beyond with key sacks and forced fumbles, but most importantly, became a fan favorite. Long donated his entire 2017 paycheck to charity and received the “Walter Payton Man Of The Year” award in 2018. To this day, Long still roots for the Eagles and remains in our hearts.
5. Evan Mathis, G
Mathis was signed in the summer of 2011 to a one-year deal. He earned a five-year extension the following season and was a force at the guard position for four seasons with the Eagles. Mathis owned pro-bowl and all-pro honors and helped solidify the Eagles’ offensive line. Although he left in 2015, he was so loved by fans that watching him lift the Lombardi trophy with the Broncos was satisfying.
4. Alshon Jeffery, WR
When Adam Schefter dropped the Jeffery bomb on Twitter when free agency opened in 2017, Philadelphia exploded. Jeffery was the #1 wide receiver Philadelphia longed for, and a one-year $14 million dollar deal was a bargain. Despite suffering a torn rotator cuff in 2017, Jeffery contributed week after week, especially on the biggest stage. In Super Bowl 52, he caught the first touchdown of the game, and his 73 total yards were pivotal in the victory. Alshon stayed with the Eagles through 2020 and although the rest of that time was plagued with injury, Philadelphia will never forget his toughness.
3. Malcolm Jenkins, S
During free agency in 2014, Philadelphia wanted safety Jarius Byrd. Howie gave them Malcolm Jenkins instead, signing him to a three-year deal worth $17 million. He’d earn an extension in 2016 and spend six total seasons as a leader on defense. Jenkins was beloved by fans, a humanitarian, and earned three pro bowl appearances. His departure for New Orleans after 2019 was bittersweet, but fans will never forget Jenkins’ leadership en route to Super Bowl 52.
2. Brandon Brooks, G
In 2016, Brooks signed a five-year $40 million dollar contract as free agency opened. Statistically, he is one of the best guards in the Eagles’ history. He collected three pro bowl appearances and earned a Super Bowl ring in 2017, although he did not play. Brooks’ time in Philadelphia was plagued by unfortunate injuries, some he played through, but ultimately lead him to an earlier retirement in 2022. He related to fans as he battled personal hardships and his toughness was endearing. Many believe that his injury in the 2018 divisional round was a major reason the Eagles did not advance.
1. Nick Foles, QB
Nick Foles may not be the most talented player on this list, but he is arguably the most important. Philadelphia and Howie Roseman have always been known for valuing backup quarterbacks, which proved to save the season in 2017. Foles was drafted by the Eagles in 2012, then played for the Rams and Chiefs. In 2017 he made his way back, signing a two-year contract to back up Carson Wentz.
This proved to be invaluable when Carson Wentz tore his ACL in week 15 of that season. Nick Foles stepped in and turned in a stellar performance against the Giants to clinch a first-round bye. He then played two of the best games in his career in the NFC championship game against the Minnesota Vikings, and Super Bowl 52 against the New England Patriots. The Super Bowl MVP nearly repeated history in the 2018 season, but the Eagles fell just short in the divisional round in New Orleans. Nick Foles helped deliver the one thing that matters to Philadelphia fans, a Lombardi trophy while playing the most important position in football. For that reason, he is Howie Roseman’s best free agent signing.
Which of Howie’s free agency moves stands out to you?
