This one is going to be hard to replace. Is Howie Roseman aware that free agency has started?
The Philadelphia Eagles came into today with big goals to accomplish. After being linked to Maxx Crosby but eventually losing out to the Ravens, it became clear they'd have to bolster their defense through free agency.
While no deals could be signed and made official today, we did enter the legal tampering period in the NFL, where deals can essentially be agreed to. For the Eagles, they had some big names in-house to keep on their minds.
On the defensive side alone, they had decisions to make on players like Reed Blankenship, Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, and others.
After extending DT Jordan Davis to a record-breaking contract and there being talks of extending Jalen Carter as well, it's clear you can't pay everyone. But you'd at least hope to bring back the pillars.
It was announced earlier this morning that they'd be losing one of those pillars in Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers on a 4-year $120M contract. Truthfully, though, at the price Carolina paid, it was probably wise for Roseman not to offer that.
It was just announced, however, that Philadelphia would be losing yet another key piece on defense, this time to the AFC.
Raiders Sign Nakobe Dean in Free Agency
Dec 14, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) stands during the National Anthem before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesIt was announced today that the Las Vegas Raiders were signing Philadelphia LB Nakobe Dean to a 3-year $36 million deal. A gut punch to the Eagles' defense.
Since being drafted from the University of Georgia, Dean has been a solid presence on the Philadelphia defense. Although he's struggled with knee injuries, Dean has been one of the best blitzing LBs in the league.
This is a solid deal for Dean, and one that I'm not sure why the Eagles would not have paid for outside of his injury history. This wouldn't look nearly as bad if Philadelphia had not already lost Phillips today to the Panthers. Howie Roseman does know free agency has kicked off, right?
Regardless, the Raiders have established a nice LB core today between Nakobe Dean as well as their other big defensive signing, Quay Walker, formerly of the Green Bay Packers.
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