On a team filled with All-Pros, offensive players of the year, Heisman trophy winners, and a Super Bowl MVP, it can become easy to fly under the radar. Even if you’re 6’5 and 250 lbs like Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is.
Amid areport from Josina Anderson that the Eagles are considering trading Goedert, it’s important to examine what he has brought to the team throughout his career and his essential role in the offense.
Why This Player in Trade Rumors Is Still Vital to the Eagles’ Offense
Rock of the Offense
Goedert was drafted by the Eagles in 2018, ironically in Dallas, and came into the league with big shoes to fill. One of the best tight ends in Eagles history, Brent Celek, had just retired as a Super Bowl champion. The greatest Eagles tight end of all time, Zach Ertz, was still in the prime of his career. Goedert showed flashes over the next few years, but it wasn’t until the 2021 season that the Eagles committed to Goedert as the number-one guy after trading Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2021, Goedert rewarded the Eagles’ commitment by putting up a career-high 830 receiving yards. After 2021, Goedert’s role in the offense became slightly reduced as a receiver with the addition of AJ Brown. However, Goedert still managed to put up productive numbers. In 2022, Goedert had 55 receptions for 702 yards and three touchdowns in just 12 games. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has often looked to Goedert as his security blanket. The Hurts to Goedert connection has produced 234 receptions for 2,771 yards and 12 touchdowns over their five seasons playing together.
Health has been a significant factor in why Goedert sometimes gets left out of elite tight-end talks. He has only played an entire season once in seven years, and the last time he played more than 14 games was in 2021. However, Goedert has stepped up to the plate when the playoffs roll around.
Playoff Riser
In a franchise filled with great receivers like Harold Carmichael, Mike Quick, Terrell Owens, DeSean Jackson, Zach Ertz, AJ Brown, and Devonta Smith, Goedert is 2nd all-time in Eagles playoff history in receiving yards and touchdowns. Goedert has continuously come up clutch for the Eagles in playoff games.
In Super Bowl 57 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Goedert had six receptions for 60 yards on seven targets, including atoughcatch on a 3rd and 14 play.
In the wild-card round of the 2024 playoffs against the Green Bay Packers, Goedert helped a struggling offense get some points late in the game with a great catch on a screen pass, followed bytwo huge stiff arms for a touchdown. The play symbolized everything Eagles fans have loved about Goedert. He’s a tough, physical player who sometimes adds style points for fun.
Not Easily Replaceable
The various health issues Goedert has battled through over the years have given the Eagles a glimpse into what life could be like without the talented tight end. The results have been uneven at best. When Goedert has been out, the Eagles usually need to piece together his role as both a blocker and receiver with multiple tight ends. This past season, Grant Calcetera did an admirable job filling in for the injured Goedert as a receiver but would often not be able to hold his blocks.
The Eagles have a tough decision to make with Goedert. The team would undeniably be better with him on it next season, defending their Super Bowl championship. There is a possibility that next season is Goedert’s last as an Eagle. However, with no suitable replacement for Goedert’s production, the best candidate for the primary tight-end role is still Goedert. The Eagles are in win-now mode, and Goedert has contributed to a lot of winning in Philadelphia.
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