After a disappointing early playoff exit, the Philadelphia Eagles head into a pivotal 2026 offseason with more questions than answers-and a roster full of decisions that could shape the next chapter of this franchise. Two Super Bowl appearances in the last four years have raised expectations in Philly, but with 18 players set to hit free agency, the front office has its work cut out.
Let’s break down what’s ahead for the Birds this offseason-from key free agents to cap space, draft picks, and important dates on the NFL calendar.
Major Free Agency Decisions Looming
The Eagles’ free agent list reads like a who’s who of contributors from recent playoff runs. On both sides of the ball, there are veterans and young talent alike who could be heading elsewhere if deals aren’t struck.
Offense
The biggest name here is tight end Dallas Goedert, an unrestricted free agent. He’s been a reliable target and a key piece in the passing game for years, and his potential departure would leave a noticeable hole in the offense.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson, who brought speed and versatility to the receiving corps, is also set to hit the market. The tight end room could see a major shake-up, with Kylen Granson and Grant Calcaterra also becoming unrestricted free agents.
The Eagles will also have decisions to make along the offensive line, with Matt Pryor, Fred Johnson, and Brett Toth all set to test the market. In the backfield, A.J. Dillon is an unrestricted free agent, and while he wasn’t the feature back, his power-running style added a different dimension to the offense.
Quarterback Sam Howell, who served as a backup this season, is also unrestricted. And fullback Ben VanSumeren is a restricted free agent, meaning the Eagles will have a chance to retain him if they choose to match any outside offers.
Defense
This is where things get even more interesting. Safety Reed Blankenship is an unrestricted free agent after playing a significant role in the secondary.
Up front, the defensive line could see major turnover. Jaelan Phillips, Azeez Ojulari, Brandon Graham, and Joshua Uche are all unrestricted.
Graham, in particular, is a franchise icon-if this is the end of the road for him in Philly, it’ll mark the close of a remarkable era.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean and edge rusher Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are also set to hit the market. That’s a lot of production and leadership potentially walking out the door.
Special Teams
Punter Braden Mann is the lone special teams free agent, but his role shouldn't be overlooked. Field position can make or break close games, and Mann has been a steady presence.
Key Offseason Dates to Know
The NFL offseason calendar is already in motion, and the Eagles will need to be sharp with their timing.
- Franchise/Transition Tag Deadline: March 3 Teams must decide by this date if they’ll use the franchise or transition tag to retain top free agents.
- Legal Tampering Period Begins: March 9, 12 p.m. ET Teams can begin negotiating with agents of unrestricted free agents, though deals can’t be finalized yet.
- Free Agency Officially Opens: March 11, 4 p.m. ET That’s when the new league year begins, and contracts can be signed and made official.
Cap Space: Not Much Room to Work With
The Eagles have been aggressive in recent years, locking up their core with long-term deals. That’s great for continuity, but it also means there’s not a ton of wiggle room under the salary cap.
According to Over The Cap, the Eagles enter the offseason with $20.27 million in cap space, but their effective cap space-which accounts for signing 51 players and the projected rookie class-is closer to $14.29 million. So while they’ll have some flexibility, don’t expect them to be major players in the first wave of free agency. This offseason will likely be more about retaining key pieces than chasing splashy names.
Looking Ahead to the Draft
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, and the Eagles are currently armed with five picks plus three projected compensatory picks, giving them a total of eight selections.
Here’s how the draft capital breaks down:
- Round 1: 23rd overall (own pick)
- Round 2: (own pick)
- Round 3: via New York Jets
- Round 3: projected compensatory pick
- Round 4: (own pick)
- Round 4: projected compensatory pick
- Round 5: via Washington Commanders
- Round 5: projected compensatory pick
That third-round pick from the Jets adds some nice value, and the compensatory picks give the front office added flexibility to move around the board or stockpile developmental talent.
Scouting Combine on the Horizon
Before the draft, all eyes will turn to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where the NFL Scouting Combine will take place from February 23 to March 2. This is the league’s premier pre-draft evaluation event, where prospects go through interviews, medical checks, and on-field workouts.
For the Eagles, who could be looking to reload on defense and add depth at several positions, the combine is a critical piece of the puzzle.
Final Thoughts
The Eagles are entering a transitional offseason. With a long list of free agents and limited cap space, the front office will need to be strategic in how it reshapes the roster. The foundation is still strong, but the decisions made over the next few months-on who stays, who walks, and who joins the team through the draft-will go a long way in determining whether this team can stay in the contender conversation or take a step back.
There’s no shortage of talent in the building. Now it’s about making the right moves to keep the window open.