The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[Darrell Green Fan]

The cost could be too much. Especially since we may be able to get him next year in FA and keep our picks. But, the fit would be great.


My response here is not about Hendrickson.

Historically, it has been easy for teams to quickly turn around a defense using free agency. And I would argue that we have some young talent, and some prime aged veterans to build around. Sainristil, Amos, Johnny Newton, Luvu. There are usually pass rushers and CB's and safeties available in FA and via trade. I think they really like Magee at MLB, but I would need to see him stay healthy to pass judgment. But, regarding health, he didn't struggle with injuries in college. I fully expect us to field a top 10-12 defense next year.

The other thing about team defense, is that it really helps a defense when you have a great offense.

I like the Amos pick but it's way too early to say he will be a key contributer on a top defense. Same with Newton who really didn't do much of anything in his rookie season and is a huge questionmark, for me anyway. Most people continue to believe he will be a top player, based on his college career I guess because he sure didn't show it on the field in the NFL.

Magee has not played a down either, he is an unproven 5th round pick. Really good pass rushers are big money in free agency or will be costly in terms of picks and cap space in a trade. Their DTs again are unproven or quite frankly a collection of JAGs. Payne may play well in his contract year but he sure can't be considered an anchor going forward.

They need upgrades at both safety positons IMO, after this year Luvu is the only proven LB on the roster and their DL has issues as everyone knows, not one top player in the entire group that needs a major influx of talent. That's hardly an easy fix, and again we are talking A and B players if we really want a really good defense. To expect all of those good players to be acquired in free agency, in a trade for picks or in the draft when they lack a 2nd and 4th is completely unrealistic.

 

[RexTomb]

I trust AP and DQ to make the best decisions for the team. I still think the plan with Javon Kinlaw is to play him at DE on rushing downs and move him to DT on passing - ala Red Bryant back in Seattle when DQ was coordinating the legion of boom. A good interior pass rush can drastically improve your pass rush. The Eagles proved that last season.

 

[Boone]

I trust AP and DQ to make the best decisions for the team. I still think the plan with Javon Kinlaw is to play him at DE on rushing downs and move him to DT on passing - ala Red Bryant back in Seattle when DQ was coordinating the legion of boom. A good interior pass rush can drastically improve your pass rush. The Eagles proved that last season.

Not to mention a competent across-the-board defensive backfield, which we now have.

 

[Conn]

"The missing piece" to me makes it sound like a run deep into the playoffs is assured with that piece. I think that is a lot to be dumped on one single DE. The team has improved, but we don't know by how much. CB is something we hope that we have improved, but hope is all we've got. The interior D-Line is a question mark that depends on hope for our players having rebounds.

I'd love to finally have a dominant defensive lineman who controls a game like we've watched other teams get. But I don't buy that the rest of the team is in such good shape that he's the last piece we need.

To me, the piece we'll need in the future is what we need to keep some cap-space aside for: The LB who will take up Bobby Wagner's role. I love Wagner, but he'll be 35 at the end of this season.

Off ball LB’s are not big money positions for most smart organizations unless a truly rare stud hits the market. Feels like a position we have a realistic shot at drafting, with Luvu keeping the center of the D steady through our post-Wagner transition (likely after this season)

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

There was a time not that long ago when we had four or five first-round picks on the defensive line. Kerrigan, Sweat, Young, Payne, and Allen were a formidable group, at least on paper, and occasionally even in actual games. I remember a Thanksgiving game in Dallas where they dominated.

Yeah I think that is 2020.

I don’t think since then we would call what we had dominant but I may be missing something. After Young fell off we were missing that one piece to put it over the top, but then the others whittled away too.

I don’t think Allen or Payne are bad by any stretch and as pieces I think they could be parts of a dominant line but they definitely need more complimentary pieces. Then again, on a D line it is really rare to have one “dominant” guy. It is more flashy. So I personally agree with the way they are approaching it; although I share @SilentThreat’s reservations on Kinlaw.

 

[SkinsFTW]

Like sex and money, a strong pass rush is something you don't fully appreciate until you don't have any. Remember when Rivera had a strong O-line and we let the pieces slowly get away without replacing them with the same quality? I have that same vibe

Wait, you are comparing our current FO with Rivera and his nepotist collection of buffoons?

Who have we lost that we really needed to keep around?

 

[burgold]

I don't remember our D Line ever being great except on paper. I do recall people touting how amazing our D Line was all the time and being constantly amazed by how that week's running back just gashed them through the middle or around the edge.

I'm probably being unfair, but our last GREAT D Line was probably Mann, Butz, Grant, and Manley.

 

[bowhunter]

Wait, you are comparing our current FO with Rivera and his nepotist collection of buffoons?

Who have we lost that we really needed to keep around?

No sir, I am not. But I am comparing situational similarities. Remember when Trent Williams became Donald Penn,
Ereck Flowers became Saddiq Charles, Moses became Wylie during Riveras tenure here? All the while we were sold the propoganda that loss of talent would not matter. The only resource added that I can think of was Cosmi to replace Scherff. We all watched that show, and don't want the reruns. I can't argue that Fowler wasn't the beneficiary of scheme, but he collected a bunch of sacks. Maybe we don't NEED Hendrickson to make this defense better, but we do need a "closer."

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

No sir, I am not. But I am comparing situational similarities. Remember when Trent Williams became Donald Penn,
Ereck Flowers became Saddiq Charles, Moses became Wylie during Riveras tenure here? All the while we were sold the propoganda that loss of talent would not matter. The only resource added that I can think of was Cosmi to replace Scherff. We all watched that show, and don't want the reruns. I can't argue that Fowler wasn't the beneficiary of scheme, but he collected a bunch of sacks. Maybe we don't NEED Hendrickson to make this defense better, but we do need a "closer."

I like solid criticism that goes against the norm; without that we don’t improve fully. Also a hallmark of Rivera, silencing of critics (I think he really wanted guys who towed the line; I think many of those - Turner over KOC, and others - were his calls more than Snyder’s).

I think they are trying something, and this may be largely dictated by who they thought was “best” on their board. With adults in the room comes growth, self-critique, and improvement.

I think they are going with a certain mindset and philosophy right now. If it doesn’t work, they hopefully have room to adapt. If they missed grievously on Kinlaw that will hamper them only slightly compared to missing grievously elsewhere.

I saw that draft playing out slightly differently (I think I would have traded down in the 1st still even though I love Connerly), but I think they are going with a more dedicated bpa style. In that style you have some gaps that can only be filled in future years. I think it is a solid style to build long term winners but it takes time.

The places where I see them deviating maybe are with guys like Kinlaw. Not my choice for deviation. We will have to see how it plays out.

 

[HTTR]

I like solid criticism that goes against the norm; without that we don’t improve fully. Also a hallmark of Rivera, silencing of critics (I think he really wanted guys who towed the line; I think many of those - Turner over KOC, and others - were his calls more than Snyder’s).

I think they are trying something, and this may be largely dictated by who they thought was “best” on their board. With adults in the room comes growth, self-critique, and improvement.

I think they are going with a certain mindset and philosophy right now. If it doesn’t work, they hopefully have room to adapt. If they missed grievously on Kinlaw that will hamper them only slightly compared to missing grievously elsewhere.

I saw that draft playing out slightly differently (I think I would have traded down in the 1st still even though I love Connerly), but I think they are going with a more dedicated bpa style. In that style you have some gaps that can only be filled in future years. I think it is a solid style to build long term winners but it takes time.

The places where I see them deviating maybe are with guys like Kinlaw. Not my choice for deviation. We will have to see how it plays out.

Agree with all that. The only thing is, I’m not nearly as skeptical about the Kinlaw signing as others. This is based on nothing more than blind faith in Adam peters. I believed in him going in, and he’s done nothing to change that. Based on the size of the contract, and the speed with which it was done, clearly this guy was AP’s number one DL target in free agency. So what exactly does Adam see that the rest of us don’t? I don’t know, but I’m confident it’s something. And I won’t be shocked one bit if he turns into a monster for us on the D line.

 

[Chris]

Although the length and investment in Kinlaw was surprising to me…I am more skeptical of the trade for Lattimore. I am not one of those expecting him to have a Lazarus-like return to his previous form. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[Simeon]

Although the length and investment in Kinlaw was surprising to me…I am more skeptical of the trade for Lattimore. I am not one of those expecting him to have a Lazarus-like return to his previous form. Hope I’m wrong.

I guess my expectation is he may return to form but it won’t last long before he’s injured.

 

[HTTR]

Although the length and investment in Kinlaw was surprising to me…I am more skeptical of the trade for Lattimore. I am not one of those expecting him to have a Lazarus-like return to his previous form. Hope I’m wrong.

Yeah, that’s reasonable. I’m definitely more hoping than expecting Lattimore will return to form. But there is a chance and if he does, it will be a HUGE boost to our defense, and I’d say there was zero chance of that happening with the guys he replaced. Whether the gamble pays off or not, AP has already insured the situation with two solid second round picks at corner.

 

[Chris]

Yeah, that’s reasonable. I’m definitely more hoping than expecting Lattimore will return to form. But there is a chance and if he does, it will be a HUGE boost to our defense, and I’d say there was zero chance of that happening with the guys he replaced. Whether the gamble pays off or not, AP has already insured the situation with two solid second round picks at corner.

Yes, but it was a lot of cost (draft capital & contract $) to spend on hope. An extended amount of time injured over recent years and an extended amount of time since his probowl seasons leave me with serious concern. I do trust AP and again I do hope I’m wrong.

 

[Riggo44]

Yes, but it was a lot of cost (draft capital & contract $) to spend on hope. An extended amount of time injured over recent years and an extended amount of time since his probowl seasons leave me with serious concern. I do trust AP and again I do hope I’m wrong.

We will see on Lattimore--he has some very good games: NO, Det in the playoffs. He wasn't as bad against Philly as made out--Brown was pushing off the whole game and Lattimore got blamed. He got abused by Evans--but then again Evans does that to a lot of people. Even if he is, I am still a Peters stan. Even Roseman, who is probably the best GM in the league gave Bryce Huff $20m/per and traded a 3rd rounder for Jahan Dotson.

 

[HTTR]

Yes, but it was a lot of cost (draft capital & contract $) to spend on hope. An extended amount of time injured over recent years and an extended amount of time since his probowl seasons leave me with serious concern. I do trust AP and again I do hope I’m wrong.

Well, it looks like ‘hope’ in hindsight, but I think it was a plenty reasonable gamble at the time. And in a situation where you have a shot at the title, I’m never going to complain about a going for it type of move. You’re not going to go to the top of something so highly competitive if you’re never willing to take a risk. The Eagles have taken plenty of risk, and had their share of moves that didn’t work out as well. Happens to everyone, but good orgs can overcome it. And I think we can all agree to let this season play out before we pass any final judgment on the Latimore trade.

 

[Chris]

There has been no final judgement passed, at least on my part. The closest thing to that is quite the opposite, many voices here believing that he will return to his previous form from a few years ago. I sincerely hope that I’m wrong about Marshon and I have said that previously several times. Until then I guess I will just remain the canary in the coalmine. Time will, of course, tell. 🤞

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Regarding Lattimore: They gave up essentially a 3rd and 4th for Lattimore, I consider the 6th they gave up essentially a wash with the 5th they received back. Is that a lot? Eh, somewhat.

Is it a risk? Yes. However, if Lattimore returns to form, it's a huge return on the investment. If he doesn't, you're out 2 mid-round picks. And there is only a VERY slim chance you could pick a player who will contribute the way Lattimore can in the 3rd and 4th rounds. Could it happen? Yes. But it's rare.

As I always repeat, something like 50% of mid-round picks are out of the league anyway after 2-3 years. The hit rate isn't great. There is absolutely no guarantee you will get a player who can contribute in the middle rounds. You might. But the odds are probably stacked more in the favor of you won't.

So we'll see. Maybe with a full off-season with this staff, and the fact Quinn seemed to know how to keep veterans on the field (see Wagner and Ertz), maybe his availability will be better than it was last year. I think it's worth the risk. If he doesn't pan out, he's done after this year, there are no long term cap implications, and all you've lost are essentially 3rd and 4th round picks.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

For whatever reason, I don't know that I am as concerned about the edge situation as others are. Maybe I should be. But I dunno. I think they can manufacture pressure from scheme IF they can stop the run. That's the most important thing for this defensive front to do: do NOT lose the point of attack and stop the run. Do that, and I think Quinn/Whitt can find pass rush. Is that ideal? Not really, you'd like to be able to stop the run AND generate pass-rush. However, we are where we are.

What I find super depressing is after spending 4 1st round picks in 5 years on DL, we have virtually nothing to show for it. Allen was good, great for a short bit, and now gone. Payne is good, but was only great for a very short period of time, Sweat is gone and Young is gone.

The Eagles continue to draft DL, but the difference is, they continue to hit on them. The only one of those guys who really "hit" was Allen, who was very good for a 2-3 year stretch.

And Payne will be gone after this season.

It's so sad with the level of investment we've made that we have literally nothing to show for it. And that's not all on Ron. Bruce had something to do with that as well.

 

[burgold]

For whatever reason, I don't know that I am as concerned about the edge situation as others are. Maybe I should be. But I dunno. I think they can manufacture pressure from scheme IF they can stop the run. That's the most important thing for this defensive front to do: do NOT lose the point of attack and stop the run. Do that, and I think Quinn/Whitt can find pass rush. Is that ideal? Not really, you'd like to be able to stop the run AND generate pass-rush. However, we are where we are.

What I find super depressing is after spending 4 1st round picks in 5 years on DL, we have virtually nothing to show for it. Allen was good, great for a short bit, and now gone. Payne is good, but was only great for a very short period of time, Sweat is gone and Young is gone.

The Eagles continue to draft DL, but the difference is, they continue to hit on them. The only one of those guys who really "hit" was Allen, who was very good for a 2-3 year stretch.

And Payne will be gone after this season.

It's so sad with the level of investment we've made that we have literally nothing to show for it. And that's not all on Ron. Bruce had something to do with that as well.

Payne has been average except for a very short period of time when he was playing for a mega contract. He's a poor man's Albert Haynesworth.