Eagles Stay or Go: Which Free Agents Will Return to Philadelphia in 2026?
Following a disappointing end to the season, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will have plenty of tough decisions to make in 2026. The Eagles have 20 players slated to hit free agency in the offseason, headlined by key starters on both offense and defense.
If the Eagles want to return to the Super Bowl, they likely can’t afford to lose all of their players that are expected to become free agents. Yet several important players are also eligible to sign contract extensions this offseason, which could make things difficult for Roseman to balance in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Eagles are projected to have $15.5 million in cap space to work with, according to Spotrac. While Roseman has always shown the ability to maximize Philadelphia’s cap space, things could get tricky. Here are my predictions for which free agents will stay or go in Philadelphia this offseason.
Dallas Goedert, TE
Philadelphia’s long-time TE1 bet on himself and likely won after hauling in a career-high 11 receiving touchdowns. While Dallas Goedert managed to stay healthy, he declined as a blocker and isn’t getting any younger. Roseman hinted at getting cheaper on offense in the offseason and it’s likely time to let Goedert walk and find a long-term starter.
Prediction: Go
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE
The Eagles traded a 2026 third-round pick to the Dolphins for Jaelan Phillips at the trade deadline. While he only recorded two sacks with the Eagles, Phillips was near the top of the NFL in total pressures and was equally impressive against the run. Vic Fangio clearly loves Phillips and I expect re-signing him to be at the top of Roseman’s wishlist in 2026.
Prediction: Stay
Reed Blankenship, S
The three-year starter is one of Philadelphia’s most recent developmental success stories. The Eagles signed Reed Blankenship as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and he grew into one of the key pieces of Philadelphia’s secondary. Yet similar to how the Eagles let T.J. Edwards walk in 2023, I could see Roseman feeling like he already maximized Blankenship’s value and letting him walk in free agency in exchange for a compensatory draft pick.
Prediction: Go
Nakobe Dean, LB
When Nakobe Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in the playoffs, nobody knew when he would play in 2025. Which is why the Eagles selected Jihaad Campbell in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Yet Dean recovered quickly and reclaimed his starting job from the rookie. Despite Dean’s impressive recovery and play, it seems unlikely that the Eagles would bring him back with both Zack Baun and Campbell under contract.
Prediction: Go
Jahan Dotson, WR
Roseman likely wishes that he could take back his trade for Jahan Dotson in 2024. The 25-year-old failed to standout in Philadelphia and clearly wasn’t worth trading a third-round pick for. Philadelphia’s offense simply didn’t utilize the WR3 enough for Dotson to standout and he also failed to step-up when A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith missed time. Both sides will likely look forward to splitting up in 2026.
Prediction: Go
Adoree’ Jackson, CB
Vic Fangio didn’t seem too happy when the Eagles first signed Adoree’ Jackson. Yet the 30-year-old veteran cornerback surprisingly provided stability opposite of Quinyon Mitchell at outside cornerback. While the Eagles should still add a long-term option at outside cornerback this offseason, Roseman should consider re-signing Jackson as a cheap, high-floor starting option.
Prediction: Stay
Fred Johnson, OL
The Eagles let Fred Johnson walk last offseason and immediately regretted it. Now with Lane Johnson’s future uncertain, it feels like even more of a reason to keep “Big Fred” in Philadelphia. While the Eagles should still add an offensive tackle early in the 2026 NFL Draft, Johnson would provide a steadying, veteran presence at swing tackle.
Prediction: Stay
Brandon Graham, DL
It appeared as though Brandon Graham enjoyed the storybook ending to his NFL career as he retired after the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX. Yet he came out of retirement and re-joined the Eagles on the field in Week 10. Roseman has hinted that Philadelphia is going to get more expensive on defense and Graham could provide leadership and cheap, versatile depth along the defensive front.
Prediction: Stay
Grant Calcaterra, TE
There is absolutely no reason why the Eagles should even consider re-signing Grant Calcaterra. He hasn’t improved as a blocker at all and didn’t offer much as a pass catcher. The 27-year-old tight end recorded just 42 receptions for 494 yards and two touchdowns in four seasons with the Eagles. He doesn’t offer anything on special teams and has been a complete negative on offense.
Prediction: Go (please?)
Braden Mann, P
Unlike Jake Elliott, Braden Mann was one of the more reliable parts of Philadelphia’s special teams unit last season. While the Eagles should look for Elliott’s replacement, that isn’t the same story for Mann. He had the fifth-highest punt average in the NFL (49.9 YPP) and was consistently flipping the field to put Philadelphia’s defense in a favorable spot.
Prediction: Stay
Marcus Epps, S
After rookie starting safety Andrew Mukuba went down with a season-ending injury, Marcus Epps stepped up in a major way. He brought a steadying presence at safety that Sydney Brown simply couldn’t offer. If the Eagles let Blankenship walk, it would make sense to bring back Epps on a team-friendly deal as a high-floor starting option.
Prediction: Stay
Brett Toth, OL
Jeff Stoutland is fascinated by Brett Toth and nobody (including myself) could see why. Yet after struggling at left guard, Toth looked much more comfortable in two starts at center. Depending on how the Eagles feel about their younger offensive linemen, I could see Stoutland asking Roseman to re-sign Toth and let him compete for a backup job along the interior of the offensive line in 2026.
Prediction: Stay
Joshua Uche, EDGE
The 27-year-old veteran edge rusher got off to a hot start in Philadelphia. He was rotational edge rusher in Fangio’s defense and recorded 20 total pressures in his first eight games. Yet his role decreased as the Eagles got healthier and added Jaelan Phillips. It’s hard to imagine Uche returning to a team that couldn’t find a role for him during the second half of the season.
Prediction: Go
Sam Howell, QB
The Eagles traded for Sam Howell after realizing that Tanner McKee was banged up and that their QB3 situation was a nightmare. Luckily for Philadelphia, Howell didn’t have to play for the Eagles. But with 18 starts in the NFL under his belt, Howell should be able to sign elsewhere in the offseason. He is just 25-years old and will likely compete for a QB2 job on another team in 2026.
Prediction: Go
Kylen Granson, TE
The Eagles currently have just two tight ends under contract in 2026: Cameron Latu and E.J. Jenkins. While Kylen Granson didn’t offer much on offense, he was a key contributor on Philadelphia’s special teams unit. According to Pro Fooball Focus, Granson was tied with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for the team lead with 15 tackles on special teams. The Eagles should re-sign Granson as cheap depth with a ton of special teams value.
Prediction: Stay
Matt Pryor, OL
One of the reasons why the Eagles felt comfortable letting Fred Johnson walk was bringing in Matt Pryor. Yet the 31-year-old veteran struggled mightily at offensive tackle and didn’t look much more comfortable at guard. Roseman selected three offensive linemen on day three of the 2025 NFL Draft and he’ll want to see them compete for roster spots next season, not a struggling veteran like Pryor.
Prediction: Go
Azeez Ojulari, EDGE
When the Eagles signed Azeez Ojulari to a one-year, $4 million deal, many (including myself) thought it was a steal. Yet Ojulari appeared in just three games for the Eagles before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. It was a disappointing season for the 25-year-old edge rusher that’ll likely try to find a bigger opportunity elsewhere in free agency.
Prediction: Go
A.J. Dillon, RB
The veteran running back appeared to be RB2 behind Saquon Barkley to start the regular season. But the 27-year-old saw his role diminished to literally nothing as the season progressed, as he was often a healthy scratch. A.J. Dillon didn’t register a single carry after Week 6 and many thought that he would be eventually cut during the regular season. While he remained on Philadelphia’s roster throughout the season, it’s hard to imagine him re-signing with the Eagles in 2026.
Prediction: Go
Ogbo Okoronkwo, EDGE
Similar to Ojulari, Ogbo Okoronkwo was another surprising addition at edge rusher that many thought would be a steal. Yet Okoronkwo didn’t play in a game until Week 4, when he ultimately suffered a season-ending triceps injury. Okoronkwo will turn 31-years old in April and it’s hard to imagine that he will return to Philadelphia in 2026.
Prediction: Go
Ben VanSumeren, FB
It seemed like the Eagles had a big role planned for Ben VanSumeren in 2025. The linebacker-turned-fullback suffered a season-ending knee injury on Philadelphia’s opening kickoff of the regular season. It was an unfortunate end to a season that many expected to be a big one for “BVS.” He will be a restricted free agent in the offseason and I would expect the Eagles to give him another chance in 2026.
Prediction: Stay