Dallas Goedert is entering free agency, and the landscape for tight ends is quite competitive. The Eagles, with limited resources, might find it challenging to retain the veteran star, but Goedert's options elsewhere may not be plentiful.
As we approach the official start of free agency, several teams have already secured their starting tight ends:
- The Bills have Dawson Knox on a newly restructured 3-year contract.
- The Bucs locked in Cade Otton with a 3-year, $30 million deal.
- Adam Trautman is set with the Broncos on a 3-year, $17 million agreement.
- The Chargers signed Charlie Kolar for 3 years at $24.3 million.
- Travis Kelce is returning to the Chiefs on a 1-year, $12 million contract.
- The Falcons placed the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts, keeping him in Atlanta for $15.045 million.
- Isaiah Likely inked a 3-year, $40 million deal with the Giants.
- Dalton Schultz is extending his stay with the Texans for another year at $12.6 million.
- The Titans secured Daniel Bellinger with a 3-year, $24 million contract.
That's not all. Several teams have already committed to their tight ends for the upcoming seasons:
- Evan Engram is with the Broncos on a 2-year, $23 million deal from 2025.
- Mark Andrews remains a Raven with a 3-year, $39.267 million extension.
- Juwan Johnson signed a 3-year, $30.75 million contract with the Saints in 2025.
Add to this list the 49ers with George Kittle, Vikings with T.J. Hockenson, Cardinals with Trey McBride, Cowboys with Jake Ferguson, and Bears with Cole Kmet. The Lions are also keen on retaining Sam LaPorta, who is in the final year of his rookie deal.
With 17 teams seemingly out of the running for a top-tier tight end like Goedert, plus the Eagles, over half the league isn't in the market for his talents. The remaining teams, such as the Browns, Bengals, or Jets, might not appeal to Goedert's desire for a winning environment.
While there's no certainty that Goedert will return to Philadelphia, the limited opportunities elsewhere might make a less lucrative deal with the Eagles more attractive than simply chasing the highest offer.