The NFL calls it the free agency tampering period, but that’s a titular title. The reality is that free agency starts Monday at noon, which is when you’ll start hearing about a flood of players signing with new teams.
During the first day of the tampering period a year ago the news broke about both Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun signing with the Eagles.
They also signed Bryce Huff.
Two out of three worked quite nicely for general manager Howie Roseman as the Eagles rode the sensational seasons of Barkley and Baun to the franchise’s second Super Bowl victory.
Both were rewarded for their outstanding 2024 seasons ahead of free agency.
Barkley, after setting a rushing record for combined yards in the regular season and postseason, received a two-year contract extension that will make him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. The GM also made a preemptive strike last week by signing Baun to a three-year deal worth $51 million that reportedly includes $34 million in guaranteed money.
The Eagles still have three other starters who will hit the free-agent market. That group includes edge rusher Josh Sweat, defensive tackle Milton Williams and guard Mekhi Becton.
Some other notable Eagles about hitting free agency include edge rusher Brandon Graham, backup linebacker Oren Burks, backup cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and reserve running back Kenneth Gainwell.
Williams, according to a report from NJ Advance Media’s Cayden Steele, has not had any contract talks with the Eagles and is likely to sign with another team this week.
Graham, who re-injured the torn triceps he suffered in Week 12 against the Rams during the Super Bowl, must decide if he wants to retire, which seems to be his most likely path.
Rodgers would likely have a chance to compete for a starting cornerback job if he re-signs with the team after the Eagles made it known that they will release veteran cornerback Darius Slay with a post June 1 designation..
In addition to Slay, veteran defensive back James Bradberry will also be released with a post June 1 designations. Those moves will free up $6.4 million in cap space after the cuts become official. According to OverTheCap.com, the Eagles have $22.646 million in cap space heading into free agency, which is more than just eight teams.
With Williams and Sweat likely headed elsewhere, the Eagles could look for veterans to replace them on the kind of one-year deal that Baun signed last March. Some notable names at defensive tackle include Javon Hargrave, a former Eagle, and Washington’s Jonathan Allen, both of whom were recently released.
Seattle’s Dre’Mont Jones is a free-agent edge rusher who was drafted by Denver when Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was the Broncos head coach.
Buffalo’s Von Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowler who also played for Fangio in Denver, also became a free agent after being released by the Bills. Miller will turn 36 later this month, but he had six sacks while playing just 332 snaps last season.
Detroit’s Za’Darius Smith was released Sunday after registering nine sacks last season. The three-time Pro Bowler has five sacks in nine games with the Browns and four in eight games with the Lions after being traded.
The point here is that there are some options for the Eagles, especially at edge rusher, if Sweat signs elsewhere and Graham decides to retire. They are, after all, the Super Bowl champions, which makes them a very attractive destination.
We’ll have all the Eagles' free-agent news here this week as Roseman attempts to put together a team that can win a second straight Super Bowl.
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Bob Brookover can be reached atrbrookover@njadvancemedia.com