The Philadelphia Eagles have been making headlines this week, and not just because of the coaching shakeup involving Kevin Patullo. While the coordinator carousel continues to spin, the front office quietly made a move that could have ripple effects down the roster. The team signed linebacker Jose Ramirez to a reserve/future contract - a name that might not jump off the page right now, but one that could carry some weight in the coming months.
Let’s get to know Ramirez. No, not the Cleveland Guardians slugger - this is Jose Ramirez the linebacker, a 2023 sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He bounced between rosters in 2023 and 2024 before heading north in 2025 to play in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. His NFL résumé is limited - just four games, one quarterback pressure, and one completion allowed for eight yards - but this signing isn’t about what he’s done.
It’s about what the Eagles might be preparing for.
Philadelphia’s linebacker depth has been a question mark all season, and this move feels like a proactive step. It also raises a bigger question: what does this mean for Nakobe Dean?
Dean, when healthy, has been a difference-maker. After returning from a knee injury, he stepped right back into the heart of the defense and produced like a player with something to prove.
In just 10 games, he racked up 55 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass deflection. That’s the kind of impact you want from a linebacker in today’s game - fast, aggressive, and versatile enough to help in both run support and the pass rush.
Dean’s ability as a blitzer has been especially valuable. He’s one of the best in the league at timing his rushes and creating disruption in the backfield. His presence changes how offenses have to scheme - not many linebackers can do that.
But here’s the thing: Eagles GM Howie Roseman has a track record when it comes to linebackers, and it’s not one that favors big second contracts. Zack Baun was the rare exception, and that came after an All-Pro season and a Super Bowl run in 2024. Historically, Roseman has preferred to draft and develop at the position rather than pay up, and the Eagles already spent a first-round pick on Jihaad Campbell with that exact philosophy in mind.
Campbell was drafted with the clear intention of being a potential replacement for Dean. If he develops as expected, it gives the Eagles leverage - and options. Dean has reportedly expressed his desire to stay in Philly, but so far, there’s been no indication from the front office about what comes next.
That’s where Ramirez fits into the picture. No, he’s not coming in to take Dean’s job tomorrow, but this is about building depth and preparing for potential turnover.
The Eagles are managing a tight salary cap and navigating several major contract decisions. They’ve consistently leaned on rookie deals to fill out the roster, and this signing is another example of that approach.
It’s not a headline-grabbing move, but it’s a telling one. The Eagles are laying the groundwork for possible changes at linebacker, and while Ramirez may just be a piece of that puzzle, his arrival is part of a broader strategy. For fans keeping an eye on Nakobe Dean’s future in midnight green, this is a move worth noting.