The Eagles have built a reputation on getting the draft right, developing their players, and then rewarding the ones who become pillars of the roster. Jordan Davis is the latest example of that formula in Philadelphia.
The former first-round pick, taken in the 2022 Draft, has gone from promising young defensive tackle to full-time starter and impact piece over his first four seasons. That progression is what led the Eagles to give him a three-year extension worth $78 million this offseason. With one year still left on his rookie contract, Davis is now tied to the team for the next four seasons.
Plenty of people liked the move as another sign the Eagles take care of their own. But not everybody was sold on the price tag.
In a recent ESPN offseason grades piece, NFL analyst Seth Walder gave Philadelphia an A overall, but Davis’ extension was the one part of the offseason he pushed back on. Walder said the deal “was a bit rich for a nose tackle.”
The concern wasn’t about Davis’ value against the run. It was about whether he has done enough as a pass rusher to match the size of the contract. That’s where the debate lives, and it’s why the extension drew some criticism even as the rest of the offseason drew praise.
Davis has appeared in 64 games and started 56 of them. Over that span, he has piled up 162 tackles and 15 tackles for loss, along with eight sacks.
His best work getting after the quarterback came this past season, when he posted 4.5 sacks. Before that, he had one sack in 2024 and 2.5 in 2023.
That upward trend is what the Eagles are banking on. Davis is 26 and entering his prime, and if he keeps taking steps forward, the contract will look a lot easier to defend. If the pass-rush production keeps climbing, Philadelphia will not just have locked in a key defender - it could be looking at a player who earns another payday down the line.
In Other News...
Eagles Rookie Is Suddenly Part Of A Much Bigger Conversation
When the Eagles used a second-round pick on tight end Eli Stowers in the 2026 NFL Draft, they were betting on more than just a future replacement for Dallas Goedert. The Vanderbilt product arrived with the kind of college rsum that makes evaluators lean in, and he brings the athletic profile to hint at a different layer to Philadelphias offense. For a team that has long valued tight end versatility, Stowers was always going to be more than a developmental name on the back end of the roster.
Early offseason work has not produced much buzz around him, which is part of what makes the next phase so interesting. If Stowers starts to match the expectations that come with his draft slot and college acclaim, he could do more than settle into the depth chart. He could push for a larger role and eventually alter how the Eagles think about the position altogether. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Defense Is Headed For A Payday Philadelphia Can't Fully Avoid
The Eagles have built one of the leagues most talented defensive groups, and the tricky part now is figuring out how long they can keep it together. A wave of young contributors is either already extension eligible or moving toward that window, which means Philadelphia is staring at the kind of roster math every contender eventually faces: reward the homegrown core, or watch the price climb faster than the salary cap can comfortably handle.
Quinyon Mitchell is still a step away from his next contract, but the expectation around him is already obvious, while Cooper DeJean is in the same conversation even before he reaches that stage. Add in the possibility of Kelee Ringo, Moro Ojomo and Tyler Steen making themselves more expensive with another strong run, and the Eagles can see the payday coming from a distance. The challenge is less about identifying the talent than deciding which pieces they can realistically afford to keep when the market starts doing what the market always does. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Draft Pick Is Running Out Of Chances This Camp
Grant Calcaterra is heading into another training camp with his place on the roster anything but secure. The Eagles drafted the tight end in 2022, and while he has spent most of his time as a backup, he did get his most meaningful chance in 2024 when injuries pushed him into a larger role. Even then, the path forward has only gotten narrower with the depth chart around him looking more crowded and more competitive.
Johnny Mundt has emerged as the more comfortable fit for the moment, giving Philadelphia a steadier option in the blocking game and a player who already knows Sean Mannions offense. Calcaterra will have to prove he can hold up in the same areas that have drawn concern before the final roster picture comes into focus, and with so few spots available at tight end, every practice rep matters. [Read more 🡒]