The Eagles didn’t just keep a veteran tight end this offseason. They kept a security blanket for Jalen Hurts, a proven red-zone weapon, and a bridge to the future all in one move.
Dallas Goedert’s return matters because the Eagles were staring at a real possibility of losing him in free agency. For most of the offseason, it looked like he might be headed elsewhere. Instead, he came back on a one-year deal worth $7 million - a clear pay cut from what he made in 2025.
That’s a strong value for Philadelphia, especially after the season Goedert just put together. He stayed on the field, started 15 games, and delivered 60 catches for 591 yards with a career-high 11 touchdowns. That kind of production is hard to replace, and the Eagles made sure they didn’t have to.
Goedert said last month, “I was able to test free agency a little bit. Had opportunities to go elsewhere,” Goedert said last month.
“Nothing was a better opportunity than I thought I could have here. ... It would have had to be something really drastic to have me try to sign somewhere else.”
The Eagles are also in a transition period at the position. They drafted Eli Stowers in the second round, and he’s the rookie who eventually figures to inherit the job.
But that’s a future conversation, not a 2026 one. Stowers will be learning from Goedert, not replacing him right away.
That makes Goedert even more important as training camp approaches. He remains one of Hurts’ most trusted targets, and with A.J.
Brown gone, his role only becomes more valuable. DeVonta Smith is still there, but Goedert gives the offense another steady presence as Sean Mannion takes over the scheme.
There’s reason to believe the fit can still work. The Eagles are looking at an offense that could allow tight ends to thrive, the way George Kittle, Tucker Kraft and others have in similar systems.
Goedert turns 32 in January, and this could be his final season in Philadelphia. But for now, the Eagles have him back, the rookie can wait, and Hurts still has a dependable target exactly when he needs one.
In Other News...
Darius Slay Just Validated What Eagles Fans Fear About Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts has already spent much of his NFL career adapting to new voices and new ideas, and this spring brought another reset under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay recently weighed in on that reality, noting how much Hurts has had to absorb since entering the league and pointing to the added challenge of working under center, where the quarterback has to turn his back to the defense and operate in a different rhythm than the one he has known.
For Philadelphia, the concern is less about whether Hurts can handle change and more about how smooth the offense looks while he is doing it. OTA reports have described an attack that has been inconsistent over the first three weeks, which is hardly the kind of early spring buzz the Eagles wanted around their franchise quarterback. Even with Hurts' track record of adjustment, the latest round of growing pains is another reminder that this transition is still very much in progress. [Read more 🡒]
These 4 Eagles Might Not Survive The Next Roster Squeeze
The next roster squeeze is already on the calendar, with the NFL setting the 2027 legal tampering period for March 9, and that date gives a rough target for when the Eagles will have to sort through a crowded list of expensive decisions. Philadelphia has built a contender by paying premium players, but the same approach eventually forces hard choices, especially when stars, veterans and younger pieces all start lining up for new deals at the same time.
Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts, Christian Woolen, Dallas Goedert and others all sit in different places on that spectrum, and the Eagles will not be able to keep everyone if performance, age and cap math all pull in different directions. Some names could be on the move by then, some could be reworked, and some could simply price themselves out of the picture, which is why the 2027 offseason already feels like a crossroads for a roster that still expects to contend. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Defensive Staff Loss Just Took A Brutal Rival Turn
Christian Parkers departure from Philadelphia already registered as a notable staff loss, but the move carries a sharper edge because of where he landed and what he is being asked to fix. After serving as the Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, Parker is now headed into a prominent defensive role for Dallas ahead of the 2026 season, a change that immediately drew attention from former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay Jr. during an NFL Network appearance.
For the Eagles, the sting is not just about losing a respected coach who helped develop Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, but about seeing him go to a division rival with real work on his plate. Dallas is reshaping its defense, including a switch to a 3-4 scheme, and Parker will be part of the effort to get recent additions moving in the right direction after a rough season on that side of the ball. Slays reaction captured the mood around the move, and it is the kind of crossover that makes a coaching change feel a lot bigger than a routine staff shuffle. [Read more 🡒]