The Philadelphia Eagles enter this offseason with a roster that’s still stacked with talent, but after a late-season collapse that left fans stunned, there’s no question: changes are coming. General manager Howie Roseman has built a team capable of contending, but even the most complete rosters need fine-tuning - especially after a campaign that fell short of expectations.
One area that’s ripe for improvement? Tight end depth.
While Dallas Goedert remains the top dog when healthy, the Eagles didn’t get much from the rest of the room, and that includes Grant Calcaterra. The third-year tight end struggled to carve out a role as a pass-catcher and didn’t offer much value in the run game either - a tough combination for a team that wants to re-establish its physical identity on offense.
That’s where a veteran like Mo Alie-Cox could come into play.
Mo Alie-Cox: A Low-Cost, High-Impact Fit
Alie-Cox isn’t going to light up the stat sheet - he’s never posted more than 393 receiving yards or four touchdowns in a season - but that’s not why he’d make sense in Philly. His value lies in the trenches, where he’s quietly been one of the more reliable blocking tight ends in the league.
The Colts used a zone-based blocking scheme, and Alie-Cox thrived in it. That’s notable because the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, is expected to implement a similar system.
Scheme familiarity matters, especially when you’re looking for plug-and-play contributors. According to Pro Football Focus, Alie-Cox has allowed just 15 pressures across 347 career pass-blocking snaps - a rock-solid 4.3% pressure rate.
That’s the kind of efficiency that can help stabilize an offense looking to regain its footing.
Last season, the Eagles’ run game lost its bite. Some of that falls on the play-calling under former OC Kevin Patullo, which grew stale and predictable as the season wore on.
But personnel played a role too. The tight ends, outside of Goedert, didn’t offer much in the way of support, and Calcaterra’s inability to move defenders in the run game was a glaring issue.
Fixing that won’t require a splashy signing - just a smart one.
Balancing the Books While Upgrading the Roster
The Eagles aren’t swimming in cap space. According to OverTheCap, they’ve got about $20.5 million to work with, and with several positions needing attention - including linebacker, safety, and possibly corner - every dollar matters.
That’s why Alie-Cox’s projected market value of $2.2 million, per Spotrac, is so intriguing. He brings a clear upgrade over Calcaterra at a price point that won’t handcuff the front office. He’s the kind of under-the-radar addition that championship-caliber teams make - a role player who fits the scheme, fills a need, and doesn’t break the bank.
Sure, a name like Kyle Pitts or David Njoku would be more exciting. Those guys are elite athletes who can stretch the field and bully defenders in the run game.
But they’re also either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. The Eagles don’t need to chase a dream scenario - they need to make smart, calculated moves that raise the floor of the roster.
Looking Ahead
As the Eagles look to rebound from a frustrating finish, the focus this offseason will be on getting back to what made them great: dominating in the trenches, controlling the tempo, and letting Jalen Hurts operate from a position of strength. That means reinforcing the offensive line and surrounding him with reliable, physical contributors who can do the dirty work.
Mo Alie-Cox may not be a headline-grabber, but he checks a lot of boxes. He’s a proven blocker, a scheme fit, and a budget-friendly option who could make a real difference in the tight end room.
If the Eagles want to get back to the Super Bowl, it’s not just about star power. It’s about making the right moves around the margins - and this one makes a whole lot of sense.