What’s on Howie Roseman’s To-Do List?
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has a big week ahead of him. Roseman will have to trim Philadelphia’s current 91-man roster down to just 53 players by Sunday evening. Yet knowing Roseman, he likely has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Last year, Roseman made five trades in August. This year? Nothing — yet. Here’s what could be on Roseman’s to-do list ahead of Week 1.
☑️ Find a New Home for Andy Dalton
The Eagles have somewhat backed themselves into an awkward corner with the current backup quarterback situation. While Philadelphia tried to make it seem like there was a legitimate competition between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee, it seems like McKee has pulled away in recent weeks. Yet now the Eagles must figure out how to proceed with Dalton, given that rookie quarterback Cole Payton has shown enough promise to stick around as QB3.
Philadelphia traded a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for Dalton in March. Now they’re likely hoping to recoup the same compensation for the 38-year-old veteran. While the Eagles could opt to keep four quarterbacks and call the league’s bluff if they’re waiting for Dalton to be released, my guess is that Roseman will find a new home for Dalton. Here are teams with underwhelming backup quarterbacks that could be interested in Dalton.
Patriots: Tommy DeVito
Dolphins: Quinn Ewers
Lions: Joshua Dobbs
Colts: Riley Leonard
Jaguars: Nick Mullens
☑️ Trade for Long-Term Depth at TE
The Eagles are entering the regular season with a tight end room led by Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt, two older veterans that are on one-year deals. Then there’s rookie tight end Eli Stowers, who was always viewed as more of a contributor in 2027 and is currently banged up with a hamstring injury. Outside of those three, it’s been a relatively quiet summer from the rest of the tight end room that includes Cameron Latu, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt and Grant Calcaterra.
Therefore, Philadelphia should trade for long-term depth at the position. If the Eagles don’t believe that Stowers is ready to contribute immediately and could possibly be placed on injured reserve to start the regular season, they need to make a move. Given the uncertain future of Goedert and Mundt, it would make sense to add a player that can contribute now but is also under contract until at least 2027 to pair with Stowers moving forward. Here are a few trade targets that fall in that category.
Mitchell Evans, Panthers: The Panthers could use depth at inside linebacker, which the Eagles have plenty of. Evans showed promise during his rookie season in 2025 and could immediately contribute as a blocker with receiving upside.
Jeremy Ruckert, Jets: Joe Douglas was New York‘s general manager when the Jets selected Ruckert in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed a two-year contract extension with the Jets last December but they’ve added Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq in back-to-back years.
Cade Stover, Texans: The Eagles made two trades with the Texans last year and Roseman could call again given Houston’s depth at TE. Stover is in his third year in the NFL and has shown promise but now he’s lost in the shuffle in Houston’s revamped tight end room.
☑️ Sign Tyler Steen to a New Deal
Roseman has talked about how the Eagles prefer to sign players to contract extensions in March and April. Yet in the past, they have agreed to new deals with players right before the start of the regular season. In 2021, they signed Jordan Mailata to a four-year contract extension on September 10. They did the same with Josh Sweat on September 18. I believe that there’s a chance that fourth-year guard Tyler Steen could be the next player to sign a new deal in September.
Philadelphia is currently facing an uncertain future at guard given Landon Dickerson’s injury history and Steen’s upcoming free agency in 2027. It would be wise to sign Steen to a new deal now, especially given his reportedly strong performance in training camp this year. The Eagles likely want to avoid being forced to replace both of their starting guards in 2027 and they could avoid doing so by signing Steen to a contract extension before the regular season.
☑️ Add More Insurance at CB
The Eagles have arguably the best starting cornerback trio in the NFL in Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen and Cooper DeJean. Yet Philadelphia’s depth behind that group is questionable, at best. Jonathan Jones has been unable to stay healthy, while Kelee Ringo and Mac McWilliams have endured inconsistent summers as the developmental players behind the 32-year-old veteran. Therefore, Roseman should try to add more insurance at cornerback.
Philadelphia has already invested a decent amount of draft capital and money at the position, so I wouldn’t expect any drastic moves. Yet there are a few trade targets to keep an eye on. Roseman made multiple moves for defensive backs last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes another move there before the regular season. Here are a few potential trade targets to watch for at cornerback.
Kader Kohou, Chiefs: Kansas City has made several additions to their secondary this offseason and Kohou is buried on their depth chart. The 27-year-old played for Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and has the versatility to play both outside and inside.
Marcellas Dial Jr., Patriots: Eagles secondary coach was in New England when the team drafted Dial in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. While this is more of a special teams and upside swing, I could see Roseman taking a chance on Dial if Pellegrino gives his stamp of approval.
Jordan Hancock, Bills: Pellegrino was in Buffalo last season when the Bills spent a fifth-round pick on Hancock. While the 23-year-old is more of a nickel defender, he played all over Ohio State’s defense in college. I could see both Pellegrino and Fangio being intrigued by his skillset.
☑️ Make Room for ‘Exchange Students’
Fangio recently referred to Philadelphia’s international rookies Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru as “exchange students.” While the 68-year-old defensive coordinator doesn’t seem to believe that either player is close to contributing in meaningful games, there is no denying the potential that they’ve both shown. Therefore, Roseman is likely going to have to make room for both Bernard and Weru on the team’s final 53-man roster.
In order for the Eagles to use the international player exemption for either player, they would have to be waived, go through waivers unclaimed and then sign to Philadelphia’s practice squad. Given the potential of both players and their film now being readily available to the rest of the NFL, I don’t see the Eagles exposing either one to waivers. My guess is that Roseman will get creative during final cuts by utilizing the two injured reserve designations, along with releasing vested veterans to keep both Bernard and Weru in Philadelphia.