With free agency underway and the 2024 NFL Draft around the corner, the Philadelphia Eagles are looking to shore up their roster for another Super Bowl campaign. The Eagles entered the NFL’s free agency period with several holes to fill and more than 20 players set to hit the market. Heading into Wednesday, here’s where the team is at.
Philadelphia Eagles Free Agency
Philadelphia struck quickly after free agency opened on Monday, signing star running back Saquon Barkley from the Giants and defensive end Bryce Huff from the Jets. The team is banking on the players’ game-changing abilities, spending as much as $89 million on the pair.
Barkley’s acquisition is pivotal. Kenneth Gainwell was the only running back under contract for 2024, and the position lacks top-tier talent in this year’s draft. With Barkley being a more physical back than D’Andre Swift, the team will likely lean on a more traditional ground game. That will better protect QB Jalen Hurts by keeping him more under center in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore‘s scheme. With the Eagles, Barkley will have the luxury of running behind a better offensive line than he did with the Giants. While with the G-Men last year, Barkley still finished fifth overall in yards before contact (749 yards). He also surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yards.
Defensive needs
Philadelphia’s most glaring needs are on defense, ranking 23rd in the league. With poor tackling late last season and players departing, the Eagles need to overhaul their linebacker squad. Stalwart defensive tackle Fletcher Cox is hanging up his cleats, while Shaq Leonard, Zach Cunningham, and Nicholas Morrow are unrestricted free agents. Acquiring DE Bryce Huff was a huge move for the Eagles, who are signing him to a massive three-year $51.1 million deal. Huff is an ascending player coming off the best season of his career. The team also added linebacker Zach Baun on a one-year contract on Tuesday. The 2020 third-round pick has started in 14 games for the New Orleans Saints while playing a core role on special teams. The Birds should also supplement the position in the draft.
Jets free-agent DE Bryce Huff is signing a three-year, $51.1 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles once free agency opens, per sources. The deal will make Huff the highest-paid non-QB undrafted free agent in NFL history, per sources. pic.twitter.com/EkPiFlRss0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Cornerback Avonte Maddox was a salary-cap casualty. James Bradberry was a big disappointment in 2023 and is turning 31 this year. Their most talented CB, Darius Slay, battled knee injuries and is 33 years old. Also, Philadelphia cut former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard after trading for him late last season due to a decline in his play. The good news is the team is returning safety/nickel C.J. Gardner-Johnson, 26, on a three-year deal. Gardner-Johnson was one of the Eagles’ best defensive players, helping them reach Super Bowl LVII. However, the team has much more work to do to bolster its secondary.
Offensive needs
The team has taken a by-committee approach to its third wide receiver spot, with Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Julio Jones complementing the tandem of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Since that trio is hitting free agency, it is time to restock the shelves. The Eagles added WR DeVante Parker on a one-year deal as a stopgap. With a super deep WR class, it makes sense for the team to take the draft route for the long term. That is essential if they anticipate being unable to keep both Brown and Smith.
One of the most bittersweet departures this offseason was the retirement of All-Pro center Jason Kelce. Fortunately, the Eagles have a capable in-house replacement for him in Cam Jurgens. The Eagles also agreed to a deal on Tuesday with center Matt Hennessy, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons. He’ll add depth to the interior and can step in at center if the Eagles keep Jurgens at right guard.
Entering 2024, the Eagles were already a top-contending team. With the splash they made in free agency, the team has a real shot of reaching Super Bowl LIX. They currently have the seventh-best odds in the NFL to win the whole thing at +1700 at DraftKings. And, with draft selections still to go, they’re not done yet.