The Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end room is starting to echo-and not in a good way.
With free agency opening on March 11, the Eagles are staring down a major depth issue at a position that’s quietly become a cornerstone of modern offenses. Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Kylen Granson are all heading for the open market, leaving only Cameron Latu-still more of a developmental project than a plug-and-play contributor-under contract.
That’s a lot of uncertainty for a team that’s leaned on tight end versatility in both the passing and run game. Even if the Eagles manage to bring back Goedert-who’s reportedly interested in staying-there’s no denying the position group needs a serious injection of physicality and depth.
Goedert has long been a reliable target through the air, but his blocking has never been his calling card. As for Calcaterra, while he’s flashed some potential as a pass-catcher, his struggles in the run game have been hard to ignore.
Too often, he’s looked like a speed bump rather than a roadblock.
Bottom line: Philly needs a tight end who can move bodies and set the tone in the trenches. And they may not have to look far to find one.
Enter John FitzPatrick.
At 6-foot-7 and 262 pounds, FitzPatrick brings the kind of size and physical presence that’s tailor-made for the dirty work. He’s not going to light up the stat sheet-just 12 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown last season-but that’s not why you bring him in.
You bring him in to set the edge, to seal blocks, to help your run game get back to where it needs to be. And with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion in town-someone who knows FitzPatrick from their time together in Green Bay-there’s already some familiarity that could fast-track his integration.
FitzPatrick is heading into his fourth NFL season, and while he’s never been the feature guy, he’s carved out a niche as a specialist in heavy sets. It’s the kind of role that doesn’t make headlines but makes a difference on third-and-short or when you’re trying to grind out a fourth-quarter lead.
His football résumé is built on doing the little things right. At Georgia, he was part of a loaded offense that featured Brock Bowers and a host of other playmakers.
FitzPatrick didn’t need to be the star-he just needed to execute, and he did. That trend continued in Atlanta, where he played behind Kyle Pitts, and in Green Bay, where he sat behind a pair of promising young tight ends in Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave.
He’s used to waiting his turn. He’s used to doing the grunt work. And he’s used to playing in systems that value tight ends who can block first and catch second.
Back when Atlanta drafted him in the sixth round, FitzPatrick described himself as someone who takes pride in the physical aspects of the game. That mindset fits exactly what the Eagles need right now-a no-nonsense, blue-collar addition to a tight end room that’s been lacking that edge.
With multiple players likely to walk and a clear need for someone who can help re-establish the run game, FitzPatrick looks like a natural fit. He’s not going to be the guy who racks up 800 yards and eight touchdowns. But he might be the guy who helps D’Andre Swift (or whoever lines up in the backfield next season) find the crease that springs a big gain.
The Eagles have some big decisions to make in the coming weeks. But if they’re serious about retooling this offense, especially in the trenches, John FitzPatrick should be on their radar. The time to make the call is coming-and Philly might just have the perfect tight end ready to answer.