The Philadelphia Eagles, along with the rest of the NFL, are heading to the offseason. After capturing their second Lombardi Trophy, this offseason will be critical in maintaining their success. Last Word on Sports already spoke about the importance of replacing Kellen Moore. Now we look at the Eagles free agents. Which should Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman bring back? Which can he let go? That’s What will be discussed today.
Eagles Free Agents – Who Should Stay?
Zack Baun
Thankfully, unlike years past, the Birds don’t have a laundry list of starting free agents. However, they do have some pretty key ones available. Out of all of them, perhaps none are more impactful than Baun. The team brought him in as a castoff from the New Orleans Saints and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio made the most out of him.
Baun had the season of his life with the Philadelphia Eagles. He earned First Team All-Pro Honors and was a first-time Pro Bowler. Baun finished with 151 combined tackles and 3.5 sacks. The Linebacker also had five quarterback hits and forced fumbles, along with four pass deflections.
Roseman doesn’t have much of a history of re-signing linebackers, but now should be the time for an exception. Baun has proven his worth and the team has already seen the drawback of letting go of quality linebackers. The Birds let T.J. Edwards walk after 2022 and the team saw an immediate decline in their passing defense in 2023.
Resigning Baun should be the priority this offseason.
Josh Sweat and Milton Williams
Roseman has always prided himself in building through the trenches so signing these Eagles free agents will be high on his priority list as well.
Sweat was a premiere edge rusher for the team this season racking up 41 tackles, eight sacks, and 15 quarterback hits. Williams was more of a rotational piece on the line but still made the most of his opportunities. He racked up 24 tackles and five sacks in the regular season. The defensive tackle aided his stock as well with a four tackle, two-sack performance in the Super Bowl.
It could be possible Roseman finds a way to re-sign both, but if push comes to shove, Williams would probably be the more affordable option. He’s younger and replenishes the depth of the interior line.
While losing Sweat would hurt, he will probably be the more pricy of the two. The Eagles also have more options on the edge. Perhaps they hope recently acquired defensive end Bryce Huff has a bounce back season, or they could draft another edge rusher in the draft.
Mekhi Becton
Speaking of the trenches, Roseman will potentially look to use some of his offseason funds on the offensive line as well in Becton.
After several failed seasons with the Jets. Becton was brought in as a reclamation project for the Birds and was a solid starter for the team. The move from tackle to guard proved to be advantageous as he is now a Super Bowl Champion.
Roseman would be wise to invest in Becton to keep the core of the offensive line intact. However, will this cost Roseman the chance to re-sign both defensive linemen discussed earlier? These are the fascinating questions Roseman will be tasked with answering this offseason.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
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