Eagles Face Key Free Agency Decisions with Nakobe Dean, Jaelan Phillips, and Dallas Goedert Headlining the List
As the Philadelphia Eagles head into a pivotal offseason, several high-impact players are set to hit the open market - and the decisions surrounding them could shape the next chapter of the franchise. At the center of it all is linebacker Nakobe Dean, who bounced back from a major knee injury to remind everyone why he’s one of the more dynamic young defenders in the league.
Nakobe Dean: From Injury Setback to Top Free Agent
Dean’s 2025 campaign was a tale of resilience. After tearing the patellar tendon in his left knee during the Eagles' Wild Card victory over the Packers the previous postseason, he missed the first five weeks of the year. But once he returned, he wasted little time making an impact.
In just eight starts, Dean racked up 55 tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles - a clear sign he hadn’t lost his edge. His ability to pressure the quarterback stood out, with 26 total pressures over the past two seasons. That kind of production, especially coming off a serious injury, speaks volumes about his motor and football IQ.
Lining up alongside Zack Baun, Dean helped form one of the most effective linebacker duos in the league in Year Four. Their chemistry and sideline-to-sideline range gave the Eagles’ defense a much-needed boost, especially during the second half of the season.
Now, Dean enters free agency as one of the most coveted players on the market - ranked No. 11 overall on Pro Football Focus’ top 250 list. Whether the Eagles find a way to bring him back or he cashes in elsewhere, he’s set up for a strong payday.
Jaelan Phillips: A Midseason Addition Who Delivered
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is another name drawing attention this offseason, and for good reason. Acquired in a midseason trade with the Dolphins that cost Philly a 2026 third-round pick, Phillips brought immediate juice to the Eagles’ pass rush.
Injuries have been a recurring theme in Phillips’ career, but he looked rejuvenated in midnight green. From Week 10 on, he posted a solid 70.2 PFF pass-rush grade and tallied 44 total pressures - a clear indicator that he was finding his rhythm again.
Phillips suited up for all eight games post-trade, notching 28 tackles (four for loss) and two sacks. While the sack totals may not jump off the page, his disruptive presence was felt on nearly every snap. He consistently collapsed pockets and forced quarterbacks off their spots - the kind of traits that don’t always show up in the box score but make a major difference on Sundays.
His ranking inside the top 15 on PFF’s free agent list reflects the league-wide belief that, when healthy, Phillips can be a game-changer off the edge.
Dallas Goedert: Steady, Reliable, and Still Producing
Tight end Dallas Goedert may not carry the same flash as some of the league’s elite pass-catchers, but his consistency and production speak for themselves. In 2025, he set a career high with 12 touchdowns - the most by any tight end in the NFL - and hauled in 64 catches for 624 yards on 85 targets.
That kind of red-zone efficiency is rare. When targeted, Goedert generated a 135.0 passer rating, showcasing just how reliable he’s been for Eagles quarterbacks. He averaged 1.34 yards per route run - not elite, but certainly effective - and continued to be a dependable chain-mover in key situations.
While his blocking remains a work in progress, his value as a pass-catcher isn’t in question. Goedert has graded above 70.0 in every season leading up to 2025, and though his best year came in 2021 - when he earned an elite 90.7 grade and averaged 2.33 yards per route - he’s still one of the more trustworthy tight ends in the game.
With all three of the Eagles’ top tight ends set to hit free agency, bringing back Goedert could be a priority - especially given his chemistry with the offense and ability to produce in high-leverage moments.
Other Notable Free Agents
Beyond the headliners, the Eagles have several other players hitting the market. Safety Reed Blankenship (No. 69), veteran defensive end Brandon Graham (No. 85), safety Marcus Epps (No. 179), linebacker Josh Uche (No. 184), and edge rusher Azeez Ojulari (No. 232) all appear on PFF’s top 250 list.
Each brings something different to the table - from leadership and experience (Graham) to rotational upside (Ojulari and Uche) - and how the Eagles approach these decisions will say a lot about their plans for 2026 and beyond.
What’s Next?
Philadelphia finds itself at a crossroads. With high-profile free agents on both sides of the ball, the front office has some tough calls to make.
Do they double down on their core and re-sign key contributors like Dean, Phillips, and Goedert? Or do they pivot, lean on younger talent, and look to retool around a new wave?
One thing’s for sure: the decisions made this offseason will have ripple effects deep into next season and beyond. And with names like these on the board, the Eagles are going to be one of the more fascinating teams to watch as free agency unfolds.