The Philadelphia Eagles have several defensive holes to address after capturing their second Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
General manager Howie Roseman didn’t waste time making All-Pro Zack Baun one of the highest-paid linebackers in the league, signing him to a three-year, $51 million contract. Baun transformed his career in his first season with the Eagles, becoming one of the best off-ball linebackers under Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme.
However, they face more critical decisions as edge rusher Josh Sweat and young defensive tackle Milton Williams hit free agency. According to OverTheCap.com, the Birds currently have $21.9 million in cap space for 2025, making it challenging to retain both players who might command contracts beyond Philadelphia’s price range.
That’s why one team insider believes the Eagles should make a play to bring back a familiar face – a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle who previously thrived in midnight green.
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Insider: Philadelphia Eagles should consider bringing back Javon Hargrave
Javon Hargrave, Philadelphia Eagles
Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s E.J. Smith believes a reunion could be in play for Javon Hargrave and the Eagles. Hargrave spent three productive seasons in Philadelphia (2020-2022) where he emerged as a top-tier defensive tackle, accumulating 23 sacks, 161 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 42 quarterback hits. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2021.
After the 2022 season, he signed a four-year, $84 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers but was released this offseason after playing just three games in 2024 due to a triceps injury.
“If the Eagles were interested in signing Hargrave in free agency for a second time, a reunion could make plenty of sense. He missed all but three games last year with a triceps injury, but he has proved throughout his career that he can be the type of versatile interior rusher to complement a star defensive tackle like Fletcher Cox or, in this scenario, Jalen Carter,” Smith reports. “In 2023, Hargrave had seven sacks and ranked eighth among all defensive tackles with 64 pressures. The season before, his final year with the Eagles, he had 11 sacks and 66 pressures.”
Smith continues: “Hargrave’s ability to play in multiple alignments, including at nose tackle, and to capitalize on the attention players like Cox and Carter draw would make him a seamless replacement for Milton Williams, assuming Williams gets a big-money deal and Hargrave’s market stalls by comparison.”
If Williams does command a contract beyond Philadelphia’s budget, bringing back Hargrave looks like a savvy Roseman move. The veteran defender would return to a team where he previously flourished and get another crack at championship contention with an Eagles team that’s reloaded for another Super Bowl push.
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