After adding Sean Mannion and Josh Grizzard to the coaching staff, Philadelphia’s roster will likely undergo further changes, changing the dynamic of Nick Sirianni’s team. The Birds have 21 players who’ll test the restricted or unrestricted free-agent market during the 2026 NFL offseason. Reed Blankenship is one of the biggest names on the list, and the defense could look drastically different if Nakobe Dean departs on the open market.
Several key factors include a pending contract extension for Jalen Carter, the status of Jordan Davis’s contract, and the status of star tight end Dallas Goedert. Philadelphia has $18,152,388 in cap space (18th most) and a few moves to make to free up millions in cap relief.
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Tom Pelissero reports that the NFL informed clubs it is projecting a 2026 salary cap of $301M to $305M per club. During his end-of-season press conference, Howie Roseman offered insight into the process, what takes place, and how the pendulum will swing toward the defense.
With the new league year fast approaching, we’re dropping five bold predictions for the Eagles‘ 2026 offseason.
Eagles will pay for Riq Woolen
Howie Roseman spoke at the combine on Tuesday and revealed Cooper DeJean would remain in the slot, while the hunt for a No. 2 cornerback would commence. We previously looked at players the Eagles would target if there were no salary cap, and one big name to monitor is Seahawks athletic cornerback Tariq Woolen. He’s made several free agent lists, and PFF named Philadelphia as his best fit on the open market. Woolen is a legitimate starting cornerback with All-Pro potential and doesn’t turn 27 until May. His aggressive skills could allow Vic Fangio to be more flexible and more aggressive with his calls.
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Prediction: Eagles sign Woolen to a three-year, $33 million contract.
Eagles will sign Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis for a discount
Davis led all NFL interior DL in run stops (34) and ranked 3rd among DTs in tackles (career-high 72), trailing only Cameron Heyward (78) and Derrick Brown (73). Davis and Jalen Carter also tied for the 2nd-most batted passes (6) among interior DL, behind Brown (7). Davis had his fifth-year option picked up, but will Roseman extend Davis long-term? An extension would give the Eagles $9 million in salary cap space. Despite two badly injured shoulders, Carter was the Eagles’ lone Pro Bowl starter. In 12 games this season, he had 33 tackles, 41 QB pressures, 11 quarterback hits, and three sacks. Carter dealt with injuries last season, but will certainly have his fifth-year option exercised, and is eligible for a contract extension. Still, Carter could reset the market in his favor, and Roseman has to decide whether that’s the direction this organization will lean.
The Georgia boys feed off of each other, and Davis played a huge role in Philadelphia selecting Carter at No. 9 overall.
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Prediction: Carter takes a discount and bypasses chasing $40+ million per year to take $23 million per season, allowing Davis to re-sign at $18 million per season.
Eagles retain A.J. Brown
On April 28, 2022, the Eagles acquired A.J. Brown from the Titans for the No. 18 overall pick and another third-round pick in that year’s draft. It was a move made to ensure Philadelphia finally got over the hump at the wide receiver position, and the results have been nothing but magical. Brown has earned All-Pro honors, Pro Bowl honors, 1,400+ yards twice, and amassed 5,000+ yards receiving since joining the Eagles. Brown has been the subject of trade rumors, and that’ll need to be addressed. According to Over The Cap, if Brown gets traded before June 1, the Eagles would incur a dead cap charge of $43,515,106. If he remains on the roster in 2026, Brown would count for 23,393,497 against the salary cap. If he’s traded after June 1, the dead cap hit would be $43,515,106, with $27,161,609 counting towards 2027’s cap as well.
Prediction: Brown stays, giving OC Sean Mannion an elite pass-catching option.
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Eagles use a first-round pick on an offensive tackle
Johnson, 35, is a future Hall of Famer with a resume that includes six Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro nods, and a pair of Super Bowl wins. Johnson’s value is clear: the Eagles were 8-2 with him in the lineup this season, versus 3-4 without him. During his tenure in Philadelphia, the team’s record is 94-41-1 when he plays and 15-27 when he doesn’t. Still, 2025 was the final season of guaranteed money for Johnson, who’s due a $9 million option bonus in September, a $9 million signing bonus, and he’ll count $20,299,000 against the salary cap. The Eagles have used picks on cornerbacks, linebackers, defensive tackles, and multiple other positions outside of the trenches, but that should change this April. Over the past three years, Philadelphia has used early draft capital on other key positions and hasn’t drafted an offensive lineman in the first two rounds since Cam Jurgens in 2022.
Prediction: Eagles go offensive tackle at No. 23 overall.
Eagles will re-sign TE Dallas Goedert
Philadelphia is stacked on offense, and Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Kylen Granson are all scheduled to be free agents in March. The only tight end on the roster under contract is Cameron Latu. Even if Goedert returns, Philadelphia has to take steps to upgrade the position. Goedert started 15 games, catching 60 passes for 591 yards and a career-high and Eagles franchise high 11 touchdown catches.
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Prediction: Eagles re-sign Goedert on a two-year, $12 million deal with $8 million guaranteed.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Philadelphia Eagles: Five bold predictions for the 2026 NFL offseason
