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Eagles free agency news: Birds lose several defenders; conflicting reports on Darius Slay; Dallas Goedert's uncertain future

The Eagles won't have many holes to fill as the NFL's free agency period gets underway.

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat, left, and defensive tackle Milton Williams, right, will be playing elsewhere next season.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat, left, and defensive tackle Milton Williams, right, will be playing elsewhere next season.Read more
David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
What you should know
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  1. NFL free agency unofficially kicked off Monday at noon, with teams now allowed to negotiate with agents. Free agency officially begins on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

  2. Free agents Milton Williams (Patriots), Josh Sweat (Cardinals), and Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings) will sign elsewhere. Darius Slay is reportedly in talks with the Steelers.

  3. Here's an early look at the Eagles' depth chart and their possible needs during free agency.

  4. The Eagles have already made a few moves, re-signing All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun and giving Saquon Barkley a contract extension.

  5. Ranking the Eagles’ top four needs entering free agency and potential targets at each position.

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Dallas Goedert's future with the Eagles remains uncertain

Dallas Goedert’s future with the Eagles is uncertain as NFL free agency kicks into full gear.

The Eagles tight end, who is under contract for another year, has been dangled on the trade market, NFL sources told The Inquirer.

Goedert’s departure from Philadelphia isn’t a foregone conclusion. He’s under contract for next season, but he would need to agree to a restructure — one likely with a pay cut — to return for 2025, a source said.

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Report: Eagles trading QB Kenny Pickett to Browns

The Eagles are trading backup quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for second-year signal caller Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick, according to a league source confirming an NFL Network report.

The Eagles acquired Pickett, 26, in a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason to bolster the depth chart behind Jalen Hurts.

The Ocean Township native started the team’s Week 17 win against the Dallas Cowboys and played the majority of the Eagles’ loss the week prior with Hurts out with a concussion. He finished last season with a 59.5% completion percentage, two touchdown passes and one interception.

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Milton Williams and Josh Sweat knew their worth before big Super Bowl performances

For most of Super Bowl week, Milton Williams and Josh Sweat shared a table during the Eagles’ interview availability in a partitioned ballroom on the third floor of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, where the team lived before it dismantled the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. That is, before Williams and Sweat led the defense that dismantled two-time defending champions Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.

Both players looked forward to the game, which they figured would be the biggest of their lives. Sweat had been neutralized two years earlier in Super Bowl LVII. This was his mulligan. Williams, at the end of his second season then, played just 12 defensive snaps in that game.

After an inconsistent 2024 season in which he was overshadowed by rookies and journeymen, Sweat, in his seventh season, knew Super Bowl LIX would be his last chance to impress the league’s general managers for what surely would be his last big contract.

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Conflicting reports on Darius Slay

While a Fox Sports report previously stated that Darius Slay had agreed to a deal with the Steelers, seemingly advancing an NFL Network report that said the two sides were still in talks, it appears that's not the case — at least not yet. According to ProFootballTalk, there's "no deal yet" for Slay, who is indeed talking with the Steelers and could still return to the Eagles.

PFT also reports that nothing is expected to be finalized until Wednesday, which is the first day free agents can sign with new teams. That includes Slay, who was released with a post-June 1 designation but remains under contract with the Eagles.

— Matt Mullin

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Reports: Texans trading Laremy Tunsil to Commanders

The Houston Texans are trading five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Washington Commanders, according to multiple reports.

Per Ian Rapoport, the full terms of the deal are:

  1. Texans receive: Second- and fourth-round picks in 2026, plus a third rounder this year.

  2. Commanders receive: Laremy Tunsil and a fourth-round pick

— Matt Mullin

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White House official says Eagles have 'enthusiastically accepted' invite

The White House said it has formally extended an invitation to the Eagles to visit after winning Super Bowl LIX.

“We sent the invite and they enthusiastically accepted,” a White House official told The Inquirer. “We are working with them to determine a date and logistics.”

The Inquirer previously reported that the Eagles would accept an invitation to the White House if extended, but the team did not immediately respond to a request confirming one had been received and accepted. The team did not visit the White House following the franchise’s first Super Bowl win in Super Bowl LII, after the invitation was revoked last-minute by President Trump due to the small group of players who planned to attend.

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Report: Josh Sweat gets big deal from Cardinals

Josh Sweat was one of three Eagles starters headed for free agency — and you can add Darius Slay as a fourth after the team released him. On Monday, just three hours after teams were allowed to begin negotiating with players, Sweat joined Milton Williams and Slay as starters who will be playing elsewhere in 2025.

According to Adam Schefter, Sweat, who led the Eagles with eight sacks last season, agreed with Arizona on a 4-year deal worth $76.4 million, including $41 million guaranteed.

— Matt Mullin

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Losing Slay and Rodgers opens the door for Kelee Ringo

Two members of last year’s Eagles secondary are headed elsewhere, with both Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers agreeing to contract terms on the opening day of free agency Monday.

Slay, who the Eagles released with a post June 1-designation last week, is reportedly in discussions with the Pittsburgh Steelers, although the Eagles could hold out for draft compensation as part of the deal according to NFL Network.

While Slay’s potential departure may have opened the door for Isaiah Rodgers to take on a more prominent role in the Eagles defensive backfield next season, the 27-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings worth roughly $15 million according to an ESPN report.

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Darius Slay reportedly signing with Steelers

According to a report, the Eagles won't be bringing back cornerback Darius Slay after all.

Previously, Tom Pelissero reported that there was mutual interest but that no deal was done and that the Eagles hadn't even officially released Slay — he's designated a post-June 1 release.

Last week, the Eagles parted ways with Slay ahead of free agency, but seemingly left the window open for him to return at a discount. That doesn't appear to be happening, even after the team lost backup cornerback Isaiah Rodgers earlier in the day.

— Matt Mullin

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Who's winning big on the opening day of free agency? Jalen Carter

Jalen Carter won't be an unrestricted free agent until 2027, but he's probably one of the biggest winners on the opening day of the NFL's free agency.

Milton Williams is off to New England for a contract that will reportedly pay him $26 million per season. Yes, $26 million per season.

Williams has been really good for the Eagles and a great success story as a third-round pick out of Louisiana Tech. But that's a lot of money, and it's obvious the Eagles weren't going to remotely be involved in trying to keep him around.

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Patriots reportedly swoop in and land Milton Williams

After a productive run with the Eagles, Milton Williams is cashing in.

According to NFL Network, the 25-year-old defensive tackle agreed to contract terms with the New England Patriots Monday on a deal that will net him roughly $26 million a year. A third-round pick by the Eagles in 2021, Williams was one of the first players to strike an agreement during the league’s legal tampering period and will become one of the highest-paid free agents this offseason once deals are allowed to be finalized later this week.

Operating as the complementary rusher opposite Eagles star defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Williams had five sacks in the regular season to go along with 54 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. One of his best games came in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs, in which the former Louisiana Tech standout registered two sacks and four pressures.

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What's next for the Eagles after losing Williams and Rodgers?

The free agent frenzy is humming along on a busy Monday, even if X, Twitter, whatever you want to call it, took a nap on one of the biggest days of the NFL calendar.

Eagles players are on the move. Milton Williams is headed to New England after previous reports had him off to Carolina. Isaiah Rodgers is off to the Minnesota Vikings.

(Side note: How good were the Eagles last year? Their backup cornerback got a two-year, $15 million contract.)

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Three Eagles starters set to become free agents

The Eagles have just a handful of starters set to hit the market when teams can begin dealing with agents at noon Monday.

The Birds locked one down last week when they signed surprise All-Pro Zack Baun to a three-year deal reportedly worth $51 million.

The Eagles are projected to have around $22 million in cap space entering free agency, according to Over the Cap, which general manager Howie Roseman will need to add a few free agents and sign draft picks.

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Isaiah Rodgers reportedly heading to Minnesota on two-year deal

It appears the Eagles will lose another member of their Super Bowl winning secondary. After already parting ways with Darius Slay and James Bradberry, while leaving a reunion with the former a possibility, the Eagles will also be losing depth cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, according to reports.

Rodgers, who missed all of the 2023 season while serving a gambling suspension, started twice during the regular season when Slay was injured, and in one of those games forced a fumble on Rams running back Kyren Williams. In the team's divisional-round win over Los Angeles, Rodgers scooped up another Williams fumble and returned it 40 yards in the snow to help set up a crucial field goal.

— Matt Mullin

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Reports: Milton Williams nearing deal with Panthers, but ...

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Panthers are signing Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, one of the team's biggest free agents. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the two sides are working on a deal.

But even after reporting it as done on The Athletic's site, Russini left some wiggle room in there.

Williams, a third-round pick by the Eagles in the 2021 draft, recorded a career-high five sacks, and topped that with two more — and a forced fumble and recovery — in the team's Super Bowl win.

— Matt Mullin

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Former Eagles first-round pick Derek Barnett returning to the Texans

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Former Cowboy Jourdan Lewis will reportedly sign with Jags

According to multiple reports, former Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis is signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year deal worth $30 million.

A former third-round pick, Lewis has appeared in at least 15 games in seven of his eight NFL seasons with the Cowboys.

— Matt Mullin

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NFL teams and agents — not just fans — impacted by X outage

If you've been on social media Monday, frantically hitting refresh to see the latest NFL free agency news and rumors, then you probably already know this: X is down.

And when the social media giant goes down on a busy sports news day, it can be chaos. Not just for fans, but for players, agents, and teams as well.

On NFL Network on Monday afternoon, Mike Garafolo reminded viewers that they aren't the only ones relying on social media today.

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Commanders to reportedly sign DT Javon Kinlaw to three-year deal

Former 49ers and Jets defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and the Washington Commanders have reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $45 million, according to multiple reports.

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Saquon Barkley hopes his contract is topped by others

Saquon Barkley talked in the fall about how he wanted to help reframe the way NFL GMs think about paying running backs.

Mission accomplished?

“I hope it does what it’s supposed to do,” Barkley said. “Every other position, the value increases each year.”

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Reports: Haason Reddick to the Bucs

Former Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick, who held out nearly half of last season with the Jets, has found a new home in Tampa, according to multiple reports.

— Matt Mullin

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What will Saquon Barkley buy first after signing new contract?

What’s the first thing Saquon Barkley is going to buy? That was the opening question asked of Barkley Monday at his press conference after signing the richest contract for a running back in NFL history.

“Nothing yet,” Barkley said.

On the list is “probably a golf membership somewhere,” he said.

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Khalil Mack off the board, re-signs with Chargers

One of the names we listed earlier as a player to watch for the Eagles — veteran pass rusher Khalil Mack — is re-signing with the Chargers, according to Adam Schefter.

The former defensive player of the year will reportedly sign a one-year, fully-guaranteed $18 million deal.

— Matt Mullin

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Positions to watch as free agency opens

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Five free agents on defense who could make sense for the Eagles

  1. Khalil Mack: Mack, 34, has compiled plenty of individual accolades during his 11-year career. Perhaps a chance at a title is all that’s missing? The nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro edge rusher spent the last three years playing a significant role for the Los Angeles Chargers and compiled 17 sacks in 2023. He played fewer snaps last season but still started 16 games and finished with six sacks and 52 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

  2. Javon Hargrave: The 32-year-old Hargrave was released by the San Francisco 49ers earlier this offseason in a cost-cutting move. If the Eagles were interested in signing Hargrave in free agency for a second time, a reunion could make plenty of sense. He missed all but three games last year with a triceps injury, but he has proved throughout his career that he can be the type of versatile interior rusher to complement a star defensive tackle like Fletcher Cox or, in this scenario, Jalen Carter. 

  3. Azeez Ojulari: A second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2021, Ojulari has the type of traits and draft pedigree the Eagles have shown a willingness to take a chance on in recent memory. The 24-year-old edge rusher also went to Georgia at the same time as the rest of the Eagles’ collection of former Bulldogs, for what that’s worth.

  4. Chase Young: The 25-year-old defender is another player with a high draft pedigree who could bolster the Eagles’ edge-rusher rotation. The former No. 2 overall pick hasn’t realized the full potential he flashed to win rookie of the year in 2020, but has become a productive pass rusher nonetheless. He spent the last season as the third man in the New Orleans Saints’ edge rotation and compiled 66 pressures with 5½ sacks. Perhaps just as importantly, he played all 17 games.

  5. Baron Browning: Even with the Eagles agreeing to terms with Zack Baun, the potential search for the next Baun (a low-cost linebacker with untapped upside) may lead them to Browning. The 26-year-old has played edge rusher and linebacker for the Denver Broncos and, notably, was used primarily as an off-ball linebacker during his rookie season with Fangio as his head coach. Browning since has been used on the edge with spotty production and was traded to the Arizona Cardinals at the deadline last season.

» READ MORE: Eagles free agency: Five on defense who could make sense

— EJ Smith

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Saquon Barkley to speak to reporters after signing two-year extension

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Aaron Rodgers emerges as an option in Pittsburgh: ESPN

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Multiple teams reportedly interested in Eagles free agent Isaiah Rodgers

Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers is set to hit the free agent market, and he reportedly has interest from multiple teams.

Among the teams interested in Rodgers are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.

Rodgers signed a one-year deal last season after serving a one-year suspension for violating the league's policy on gambling. After the Birds' Super Bowl victory, Rodgers said he wanted to remain with the Eagles "real bad."

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Eagles reportedly seeking to trade Dallas Goedert

That's one of the big questions heading into next season — what will happen with tight end Dallas Goedert?

Goedert is under contract for 2025 but has no guaranteed money remaining. The Birds are reportedly interested in trading Goedert, hoping to land a fourth-round pick, according to NFL reporter Josina Anderson.

Will the Eagles restructure his deal and add years? Will they move on? Do they trust Grant Calcaterra to be TE1? Will they address the position in the draft?

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Free agency news: Zach Ertz, DK Metcalf, Davante Adams, Myles Garrett

  1. Commanders re-signing Zach Ertz: The former Eagles Super Bowl champ is coming back on a one-year, $6.25 million deal, according to ESPN. He caught 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns last season with Jayden Daniels, and will have at least two more opportunities to fight with Nick Sirianni during the season.

  2. DK Metcalf traded to the Steelers: The Seahawks are reportedly sending the two-time Pro Bowl receiver to Pittsburgh for a 2025 second-round pick. He's expected to sign a five-year, $150 million contract.

  3. Davante Adams to sign with the Rams: The former Jets wide receiver lands in Los Angeles with a two-year deal worth $46 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

  4. Myles Garrett staying in Cleveland: So much for that pipe dream. On Sunday, the Browns announced Garrett agreed to a four-year contract extension after demanding a trade ahead of the Super Bowl. Terms were not disclosed, but ESPN reported the extension averages $40 million per year and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money.

— Rob Tornoe

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Lane Johnson trying to recruit Von Miller?

The Buffalo Bills are reportedly moving on from linebacker Von Miller, releasing the 36-year-old linebacker after three seasons.

Enter the Eagles?

With Josh Sweat set to test free agency and Brandon Graham contemplating retirement, the Birds might need a proven edge rusher with the potential to make a rotational impact.

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2025 NFL calendar: Upcoming offseason dates

  1. Today: Players allowed to negotiate with teams beginning at noon

  2. March 12: New league year starts, free agency officially begins at 4 p.m.

  3. March 30 to April 2: Annual league meeting at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

  4. April 18: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets

  5. April 24 to 26: NFL draft, Green Bay, Wisc.

  6. Sept. 4: NFL 2025 season kickoff, hosted by the Eagles against an unnamed opponent.

» READ MORE: Key offseason dates for the Eagles, from free agency to training camp to Week 1

— Rob Tornoe