- What you should know
- NFL free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday. But players are allowed to negotiate with teams beginning today at noon.
- The Eagles have 18 free agents set to hit the open market, including seven defensive starters.
- Defensive end Brandon Graham is staying with the Eagles, agreeing to sign a one year, $6 million deal.
- The Eagles opted not to use the franchise tag on C.J. Gardner-Johnson or Javon Hargrave.
- Here are the Eagles players that fans most — and least — want to see back next season.
11 Eagles starters are set to become free agents
// Timestamp 03/13/23 7:15am
The Eagles have nearly two dozen players set to hit the market, and General Manager Howie Roseman made clear the team is going to be saying goodbye to a number of them.
Speaking to reporters last month following the Super Bowl, Roseman said “it’s going to be impossible to keep every single person on this team.”
Overall, the Eagles have 11 starters who will become free agents this week, including seven on defense. Among those is six-time Pro Bowler Jason Kelce, who hasn’t yet decided on whether he’ll return for a 13th season.
Eagles starters that are set to become free agents this week:
- James Bradberry, cornerback, 29
- Fletcher Cox, defensive tackle, 32
- T.J. Edwards, linebacker, 26
- Marcus Epps, safety, 27
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson, safety, 25
- Javon Hargrave, defensive tackle, 30
- Jason Kelce, center, 35
- Rick Lovato, long snapper, 30
- Miles Sanders, running back, 25
- Isaac Seumalo, guard, 29
- Kyzir White, linebacker, 26
Here are the rest of the Eagles players set to become free agents:
- Andre Dillard, offensive tackle; Tyree Jackson, tight end; Linval Joseph, defensive tackle; Brett Kern, punter; Gardner Minshew, quarterback; Zach Pascal, wide receiver; Robert Quinn, edge rusher; Boston Scott, running back, Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle
Eagles free agency: Which players should they prioritize re-signing
— Rob Tornoe
James Bradberry suggests he could resign with Eagles
// Timestamp 03/13/23 7:00am
Eagles cornerback James Bradberry could end up back in Philly next season.
Bradberry, who committed a controversial late penalty in Super Bowl LVII that essentially sealed the game for the Kansas City Chiefs, told CBS Sports NFL insider Josina Anderson he “would love” to remain in Philadelphia.
“I know there’s definitely interest from the Eagles. I would love to play for the Eagles,” Bradberry said. “I definitely see how bright the future is for the team. I’m just waiting to hear on the exact terms from them.”
“I believe they’re also waiting for what the market tells as well, because I’m also anticipating interest from other teams,” Bradberry added. “So they told me whoever calls, just make sure I also give them a chance to match.”
Bradberry is coming off a strong year for the Eagles, where he recorded three interceptions and allowed the lowest passer rating (51.8) among cornerbacks when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus.
Eagles cornerback James Bradberry contemplates an uncertain future
— Rob Tornoe
Eagles make ‘strong effort’ to C.J. Gardner-Johnson
// Timestamp 03/13/23 7:00am
It looks like the Eagles want C.J. Gardner-Johnson to return next season.
ESPN reporters Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler reported that the Eagles have made a “strong effort” to resign Gardner-Johnson, the soon-to-be free agent safety who is expected to command interest from other teams.
Gardner-Johnson, who switched from cornerback this season in the hops of securing a lucrative contract, recently posted a video on social media that most fans and pundits took as a goodbye to the Eagles.
ESPN NFL analyst and former safety Ryan Clark said on NFL Live last week he thought Gardner-Johnson was a “must keep” for the Eagles this offseason.
“I’m not saying or comparing the two, but as important as Jalen Hurts is to this offense, I believe C.J. Gardner-Johnson plugs in the exact same way defensively,” Clark said.
— Rob Tornoe
Eagles create a bit of cap space ahead of free agency
// Timestamp 03/13/23 7:00am
Late last week, the Eagles created a bit of cap space by restructuring kicker Jake Elliott’s contract, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The move will save the Eagles nearly $2.5 million in cap space this season.
Entering Monday, the Eagles have about $6.6 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. They could create more by restructuring the contracts of Lane Johnson (something they’ve done in previous years) and Darius Slay, though that would likely mean given the 32-year-old cornerback a contract extension, since he’s set to become a free agent following the 2023 season.
Slay’s cap hit this season is a little over $26 million, the highest on the team, according to Over The Cap. Though the Eagles did reportedly give him permission to seek a trade, Slay said on the most recent episode of his podcast, Big Play Slay, he didn’t ask to be dealt, and would love to remain in Philadelphia.
“I do want to finish my career as an Eagle, but we’ll see,” Slay said. “But best believe, I do want to be an Eagle. But if my job requires me to go elsewhere, then I’ll go.”
— Rob Tornoe
2023 NFL calendar: Forthcoming offseason dates
// Timestamp 03/13/23 7:00am
- Today: Players allowed to negotiate with teams beginning at noon
- March 15: New league year starts, free agency officially begins at 4 p.m.
- March 26-29: Annual league meeting at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.
- April 21: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
- April 27-29:NFL draft, Kansas City
- Sept. 7: NFL 2022 season kickoff, hosted by defending Super Bowl LVII champions Kansas City Chiefs
Dates for OTAs, minicamp, and training camp will be determined later.
Rob Tornoe:
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