Howie Roseman SZN has arrived.

The new league year officially begins next week on March 12 at 4 p.m. ET and the Eagles have already been active.

The Eagles and Roseman inked Saquon Barkley to a two-year $41.4 million ($34 million guaranteed) contract extension on Tuesday.

Roseman was back active on Wednesday, re-signing All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year deal worth $51 million ($34 million guaranteed).

The moves continue a philosophical shift from Roseman, who typically hasn’t allocated premium resources at the running back and linebacker positions.

In what Roseman has described as what will be a “different” offseason for the Eagles, with his first two moves, he’s secured both cap relief in the current and locked up a defensive player of the year finalist for years to come.

Philadelphia still has another handful of it’s own free agents to decide on, so with that here’s how the Eagles should handle free agency:

Stay

• LB Oren Burks
• CB Isaiah Rodgers
• T Fred Johnson
• LS Rick Lovato
• RB Kenneth Gainwell

Go

• DT Milton Williams
• OLB Josh Sweat
• G/T Mekhi Becton
• CB Avonte Maddox
• T/G Jack Driscoll
• W Parris Campbell
• T Le’Raven Clark
• WR/PR Britain Covey
• TE C.J. Uzomah

Before getting into targets, I wanted to look at the Eagles own free agents.

Both Milton Williams and Josh Sweat have likely played themselves out of the Eagles price range.

Both are home grown talent, but with the level of play that they put on display combined with looming extensions for Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Cam Jurgens, and (possibly) Jordan Davis, tough decisions will have to be made. Also both players should count towards the compensatory pick formula (which Roseman and Jeff Lurie have both commented on).

Elsewhere, Mekhi Becton might get paid to play tackle. The Eagles aren’t going to pay Becton tackle money at guard and they drafted Tyler Steen in the third round for a reason.

Oren Burks flashed a ton in Nakobe Dean’s absence. It would behoove Philadelphia to keep him around.

And with the release of Darius Slay, the Eagles should look to bring Rodgers back who competed admirably when called on in 2024. I’d also expect the Eagles to draft a corner in April.

To wrap up, depending on his market, Kenneth Gainwell should be brought back. Gainwell is a Nick Sirianni favorite and when his number has been called, he’s produced. Whether on the ground or in pass protection, Gainwell has flashed at various moments over the last few seasons.

Free Agent Targets

• DT Dre’Mont Jones
• EDGE Khalil Mack
• T Jedrick Wills
• OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
• LB Kyzir White
• LB Baron Browning

It’s a short list, yes.

Besides Jones (and maybe Khalil Mack), there aren’t many big names here.

Jones, 28, has familiarity with Vic Fangio and Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt. Under Fangio, Jones registered the 2nd best season of his career. Jones would slot in as the 2nd defensive tackle in the rotation next to Jalen Carter.

Jones can play both inside and outside and would be an ideal replacement for Milton Williams, at a lower price. Depending on the price, Jones would be a hand in glove fit for this Eagles defense.

Next, 34-year-old Khalil Mack makes some sense for the birds because, simply put, they need pass rush help. If Josh Sweat is gone and Brandon Graham is retired, that leaves Nolan Smith (who tore his triceps in the Super Bowl), Jalyx Hunt, and Bryce Huff (lol).

Mack played under Vic Fangio when Fangio was the Bears defensive coordinator in 2018. Mack, who’s undoubtedly slowed down from the high level of production from early on in his career, can still get after the quarterback as he amassed six sacks in 2024. If he doesn’t break the bank, Mack makes sense for Philadelphia.

The Eagles did it before with Mekhi Becton, why not try it again with Jedrick Wills?

Wills was selected one pick after Becton in 2020. Wills never lived up to his top-10 selection. And while he flashed at times, he never maintained consistency as a tackle. Wills also dealt with a bevy of injuries. Sounds familiar?

The tools that led to him being a top 10 pick are still there, but with a change of scenery could Jeff Stoutland unlock the potential? Wills could potentially serve as decent competition for Tyler Steen.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka fits the bill of an athletic run defending edge rusher who also offers some pass rush upside. He can also drop into coverage and be serviceable when asked. Tryon-Shoyinka also fits the Eagles ‘former first round pick’-‘high draft pedigree/under 30 years old’ taxonomy that the organization likes in potential free agents.

Also, again the Eagles need bodies at EDGE.

Finally, with Nakobe Dean’s return timeline unknown, the Eagles need serviceable bodies opposite Zack Baun. This is even more pertinent if they don’t bring Oren Burks back. Both Kyzir White and Baron Browning have connections to the Eagles organization.

White is a former Eagle, who showed a ton of promise under Jonathan Gannon in 2022. Last season with the Cardinals (again under Gannon), White amassed the 2nd most tackles in a single season in his career with 137. He’s worn the green dot as the MIKE, which would allow Zack Baun to roam and showcase the versatility that made him an All-Pro in 2024.

Baron Browning was a third-round pick in 2021 by the Denver Broncos, who were coached by Vic Fangio. Fangio played Browning as an off-ball linebacker and Browning has shown the ability to be a plus run defender in his NFL career.

If the price isn’t too steep, the history with Fangio is there and with the unknown that is the health of Nakobe Dean, Browning makes a ton of sense.

Cover Image Credit: The Philly Blitz Media