PHILADELPHIA − The first thing to know about this Eagles’ wildly successful season so far is that teams change every season.
That could be especially true for the 2023 Eagles, who could end up having as many as 15 key free agents.
Those decisions could involve some of the most beloved Eagles of all time in center Jason Kelce, defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. They’re also the three most tenured Eagles, going back to 2010 for Graham, 2011 for Kelce and 2012 for Cox.
But there are other tough decisions at every position. On the one hand, the Eagles have $15 million in cap space for 2023. That figure should increase once the salary cap is set for next season. But that isn’t nearly enough to re-sign everybody, especially if the Eagles give quarterback Jalen Hurts an extension after this season.
That could raise his salary cap hit significantly from $1.9 million in the final year of his rookie contract, thus almost negating the increase in the overall cap.
Here, then, is a look at the decision the Eagles will have to make at key positions with their pending free agents.
Defensive line
Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham
The Eagles already released Cox once, last March, before re-signing him at a reduced rate a few days later. Cox turns 32 next month, and Graham is 34.
Both are still playing well, but they’re also playing less. So it would hard to justify a combined salary cap hit of at least $20 million for the two of them.
At defensive tackle, the Eagles would be more inclined to choose Hargrave over Cox. Hargrave is younger and has 5 sacks in the last two games. But Hargrave won’t come cheaply either. He signed a three-year deal worth $39 million in 2020, and he won’t want a pay cut.
Keep in mind, the Eagles drafted Jordan Davis in the first round last spring, so Davis can slide into the role vacated by the player the Eagles don’t bring back.
It’s possible that the Eagles let both Cox and Hargrave go and spend big for someone like Washington’s Daron Payne, who’s five years younger than Hargrave. That’s because the other defensive tackles coming back in Davis, Milton Williams and Marlon Tuipulotu are all on their rookie contracts.
As for Graham, the Eagles don’t have an heir apparent to replace him, but they do have the Saints’ first-round pick. According to Tankathon.com, that pick is currently No. 6 overall. If it remains in the top 10, the Eagles can get a defensive end who can step right in and play − and for much less money.
Offensive line
Jason Kelce, Andre Dillard and Isaac Seumalo
It’s likely that Seumalo, at right guard, is the only one of the three who returns. There’s no way the Eagles are skimping on the offensive line, so it’s easy to see Seumalo getting a new contract worth more than $10 million per season. After all, everyone from Kelce to Lane Johnson to offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
As for Kelce, it’s his choice whether he returns or not. He turned 35 years old last Saturday and he’s still at the top of his game. But there’s a good chance Kelce will feel comfortable turning the center position over to Cam Jurgens, whom Kelce gave his seal of approval to during the draft.
The Eagles, no doubt, would love to keep Dillard as Mailata’s backup at left tackle. But some team will give the 2019 first-round pick a chance to start next season and pay him accordingly. The Eagles won’t. So they can either sign a free agent backup or have Jack Driscoll, who replaced Mailata earlier in the season, serve as the swing tackle.
Defensive back
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Epps and James Bradberry
It’s likely going to take more than $10 million a year to re-sign Bradberry and Gardner-Johnson, and likely in the $5 million annual range for Epps. Gardner-Johnson is 25 years old and leads the NFL in interceptions. So he would be a better risk than Bradberry, who’s 29.
The Eagles might also have to pay Epps because K’Von Wallace, the third safety, doesn’t seem like he’s ready to become a reliable starter.
If Bradberry doesn’t return, the Eagles could be using one of their first-round picks on a starting-caliber cornerback. If it’s Gardner-Johnson who’s not returning, then safety will be a draft priority.
Running back
Miles Sanders and Boston Scott
This isn’t an either/or proposition with Sanders and Scott. Rather, it’s a decision about whether the Eagles want to go against their organizational philosophy and pay for a running back like Sanders, who’s on pace to top 1,000 yards for the first time in four seasons.
If Sanders leaves, Scott won’t become the primary back, and neither will Kenny Gainwell, the Eagles’ fifth-round pick in 2021. The Eagles definitely won’t pay to keep Scott regardless of what happens with Sanders.
Even if the Eagles do pay to keep Sanders, it’s quite possible they’ll try to add depth in the draft with someone who could possibly succeed him a year or two down the road.
Linebacker
Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards
This one seems pretty easy. The Eagles drafted Nakobe Dean in the third round last spring, and he can barely get on the field this season. That won’t be the case next year. White signed a one-year deal worth $5 million last spring. While he’s playing well, the Eagles won’t get into a bidding war to bring him back, especially for a significant raise.
They won’t have to pay nearly as much for Edwards, whom they developed as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Edwards is having just as good, if not better, season than White. So he’ll stay.
The rest
Gardner Minshew and Zach Pascal
The Eagles would love to have Minshew return as the backup, but it’s more likely that he’ll want to go someplace where he’ll have the chance to start, and thus earn either top backup money or starter money. The Eagles won’t overspend to keep him.
The only other QB on the roster is Ian Book, who has thrown 20 career passes. The Eagles won’t go into next season with Book as the backup. You can book that.
As for Pascal, he could end up coming back for one more season as a low-cost slot receiver. If not, the Eagles will hope to find someone like Pascal.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
