The new NFL league year doesn’t officially begin until tomorrow, March 12, at 4 p.m. ET, but the early free agency period has been in full swing over the last few days, with major signings, releases, and trades.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles have had an interesting start to the new league year. On March 4, the organization signed Saquon Barkley to a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension, making the Offensive Player of the Year the highest-paid running back in NFL history. The following day, the Eagles signed All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract, retaining their top priority heading into free agency.
On Monday, the Eagles traded backup quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick. The Eagles traded for Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick a year ago, giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.
Philadelphia Eagles Lose Multiple Defensive Players Through NFL Free Agency Day 2
The Eagles were expected to lose talent this offseason given their cap situation and focus on keeping the team’s core together for years to come. Seven defensive players found new homes through day two of free agency, including four key contributors from a season ago.
Defensive tackle Milton Williams was this year’s prized free agent and signed a four-year deal worth $26 million per year with the New England Patriots. The Eagles’ 2024 sack leader and Super Bowl standout, defensive end Josh Sweat, signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Eagles plan to release veteran cornerback Darius Slay, and although it’s not official, there have been reports that the six-time Pro Bowler agreed to a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles also designated veteran cornerback James Bradberry as a post-June 1 release. The 2022 Second-Team All-Pro started 33 games for the Eagles from 2022-23 but missed the 2024 campaign with a torn Achilles and soleus.
Two quality depth pieces from the Eagles’ defense signed elsewhere. Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings and linebacker Oren Burks signed a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Both were valuable assets, filling in for injured players throughout the season. Burks took over the starting job for linebacker Nakobe Dean after Dean suffered a season-ending knee injury during the Eagles’ Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers. Burks was impressive in three starts in the playoffs, recording 25 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and allowed zero touchdowns in coverage.
The most surprising move came on Tuesday when the Eagles traded starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Houston Texans for offensive guard Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick. Gardner-Johnson was in his second stint with the Eagles, and interestingly enough, they made it to the Super Bowl both years he played for them.
Gardner-Johnson has a big personality that sometimes gets him in trouble. However, the 27-year-old brought a physical aspect and was the heartbeat of the defense. He was a team leader and will be hard to replace.
Green was the 15th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft but hasn’t lived up to expectations. He started 14 games at left guard during his rookie year and ranked last with a 37.7 Pro Football Focus grade among 65 guards who played at least 500 snaps. Green missed the 2023 season with a shoulder injury and returned in 2024, making nine starts in 12 games. His 38.6 PFF grade was the lowest among 66 guards who played at least 500 snaps.
Hope is not lost for Green. The soon-to-be 24-year-old has the talent and is young enough to turn his career around. He’ll have the opportunity to play alongside one of the top offensive lines in football with one of the top coaches, Jeff Stoutland. Trading away a key contributor like Gardner-Johnson for a struggling player like Green, can’t help but leave Eagles fans confused about the move.
Recap Of Eagles’ Moves And Free Agent Departures So Far
● Signed RB Saquon Barkley to a two-year, $41.2 million extension through 2028
● Signed LB Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract
● Plan to release CB Darius Slay (reportedly agreed to a deal with the Steelers)
● Designated CB James Bradberry as a post-June 1 release
● DT Milton Williams signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the Patriots
● DE Josh Sweat signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract with the Cardinals
● CB Isaiah Rodgers signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Vikings
● LB Oren Burks signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Bengals
● Traded QB Kenny Pickett to the Browns for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick
● Traded S C.J. Gardner Johnson and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Texans for G Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round pick