The Philadelphia Eagles are heading into a pivotal offseason-one that could shape the trajectory of the franchise for the next half-decade. After a rollercoaster 2025 campaign that saw both promise and frustration, the front office has no shortage of crucial decisions to make. And while the offense is grabbing most of the headlines, the defense is quietly facing a crossroads of its own.
Let’s start with the offensive side of the ball, where the Eagles have a trio of major questions that need answers-and fast.
First, there's the A.J. Brown situation.
Whether Philadelphia decides to keep its star wideout or explore trade options could have massive implications for the offense’s identity moving forward. Brown has been a cornerstone of the passing game, but the team may have to weigh his value against future cap flexibility and roster balance.
Then there's Lane Johnson. The veteran right tackle has been a rock for the Eagles for over a decade, but retirement is now a very real possibility. If he decides to hang up the cleats, Philly will need to figure out how to replace not just his on-field talent, but his leadership in the locker room.
And let’s not forget the offensive coordinator vacancy. The Eagles are still searching for the right voice to lead this unit and get the most out of Jalen Hurts and company. With so much talent on the roster, finding the right play-caller is more than just a detail-it’s a foundational move.
But once the offensive pieces are sorted, the defense becomes the next major priority-and it’s not exactly a short to-do list.
Three key starters-edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, linebacker Nakobe Dean, and safety Reed Blankenship-are all set to hit free agency. It’s unlikely that general manager Howie Roseman can retain all three, especially with long-term contracts looming for young stars like Jalen Carter. So, who stays, and who goes?
Reed Blankenship might be the most likely to return. He won’t command top-tier money, but his value to the secondary is undeniable. With a young core that includes Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Andrew Mukuba, having a steady, experienced presence like Blankenship on the back end could be essential to keeping the unit grounded.
Then there’s Jaelan Phillips, arguably the most impactful of the trio. His arrival flipped the switch for Philadelphia’s pass rush, turning it from one of the league’s least effective groups at midseason into one of the most dangerous by year’s end. Phillips is going to get paid-whether it’s by the Eagles or someone else-and if Philly wants to keep that defensive momentum going, retaining him needs to be a serious consideration.
Nakobe Dean’s situation is a bit more complicated. The former Georgia standout has struggled to stay healthy, missing 21 games over the past three seasons. And with rookie Jihaad Campbell flashing serious potential, the Eagles may feel comfortable letting Dean walk and handing the reins to their young first-rounder.
These aren’t easy calls, but this is where Howie Roseman has earned his reputation. He’s shown time and again that he knows when to hold on and when to move on. Eagles fans may not love every decision, but there’s a track record here that suggests Roseman will make the right moves to keep this team competitive.
Bottom line: This offseason isn’t just about filling holes-it’s about setting the tone for the next era of Eagles football. Whether it’s retooling the offense or locking down key pieces on defense, the choices made over the next few months will echo for years to come.