Howie Roseman's 2026 Tightrope Walk Just Got Real
The calendar flipped to 2026 and, just like every year, Eagles GM Howie Roseman has his work cut out for him. This isn't just about cap space; it's about navigating a roster that, despite a 10-7 finish and a Wild Card loss to the Cowboys, felt like it was aging out in key spots. Philly's got some tough decisions looming, and the early moves – or lack thereof – tell a story.
The Big Names Who Walked
Let's start with the guys who are gone. Fletcher Cox finally called it a career after 15 seasons, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of that defensive line. Think about it: Cox was still playing over 60% of snaps in 2025, even at 33. His 3.5 sacks last year don't tell the full story of the disruption he caused. Then there's Darius Slay. The veteran corner, who had 3 interceptions in 2025, signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Jets. That's a big loss for a secondary that already struggled against top receivers. James Bradberry, after a steep decline the past two seasons, was released, saving the Eagles $12.5 million against the cap. He gave up 8 touchdowns in coverage last year, a far cry from his All-Pro form.
And the offense isn't immune. Saquon Barkley, after two productive but injury-marred seasons in midnight green, inked a four-year, $48 million deal with the Texans. He rushed for 980 yards in 2025, but missed three games with a hamstring issue. That's a significant chunk of the ground game gone. On the offensive line, both Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens hit the market. Dickerson, a Pro Bowler in 2024, signed a monster five-year, $80 million contract with the Bengals. Jurgens, a reliable center, took a four-year, $42 million deal to anchor the Seahawks' line. Losing two starting interior linemen in one offseason? That's going to hurt.
Roseman's Early Replacements
So, what has Howie done to stem the bleeding? Not as much as some fans might hope, but there have been a few moves. To address the interior line, the Eagles signed veteran guard Laken Tomlinson to a one-year, $5 million deal. He's solid, but he's 34 and not the force Dickerson was. At center, they brought in former Ravens starter Tyler Linderbaum on a three-year, $27 million contract. Linderbaum is a good player, but he's coming off an ankle injury that limited him to 11 games last season.
The biggest splash, if you can call it that, came in the secondary. Philly signed veteran corner Stephon Gilmore to a two-year, $18 million contract. Gilmore, at 35, isn't the shutdown corner he once was, but he still had 2 picks for the Cowboys in 2025 and brings a ton of experience. Look, it's a stop-gap. This team needs youth and speed at corner, and Gilmore provides neither. Up front, the Eagles re-signed Brandon Graham to a one-year, $4 million deal. He'll be 38, but he still brings energy and 4.0 sacks off the bench last year. They also brought in former Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett on a two-year, $16 million deal to help fill the void left by Cox. Jarrett is 33, but he's still a disruptive force, logging 5.5 sacks in 2025.
The Overlooked Issue: Linebacker
Here's the thing: everyone's focused on the secondary and the offensive line, but the Eagles' linebacker corps still feels like an afterthought. Nakobe Dean has flashed, but he's missed 10 games over the last two seasons. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., drafted in 2025, showed promise but still needs to grow. They let Zack Cunningham walk, and haven't really replaced him. My hot take? The Eagles are seriously underestimating the need for an impact linebacker. They're going to try and piece it together again, and it’ll be their Achilles’ heel come December.
Howie's playing a dangerous game, patching holes with aging veterans and hoping for the best. I predict the Eagles finish 8-9 and miss the playoffs in 2026, primarily due to their defensive struggles in the middle of the field.