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Eagles urged to call off reported plans to trade $15.5M starter

The Philadelphia Eagles have spent much of the new league year addressing budget concerns, especially in future years. 

Due mostly to concerted efforts to lock-up key starters on offense long-term, the Eagles currently lead the NFL in committed cash for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons. That’s partly why proven performers like Josh Sweat have been replaced by cheap project players like Azeez Ojulari so far this offseason.

As usual, GM Howie Roseman has utilized the trade market to cut costs, shipping out safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett. Roseman likely isn’t done, as a pair of potential starters in tight end Dallas Goedert and EDGE Bryce Huff are widely expected to be moved either during or around the 2025 NFL Draft.

John Stolnis of SB Nation is urging Roseman and the Eagles to call off their reported mission to move Goedert, who has about $15.5 million in cash remaining on his current contract and is scheduled to be a free agent in 2026:

The Eagles have already gone through a significant roster overhaul on defense. I know the money is what the money is, and it sounds like some kind of contract “extension” will have to be made in order to guarantee some money to Goedert in ‘25 if he stays. On paper, trading him makes sense, especially if they do get the fourth round pick they’re hoping for.

But if you want to repeat as Super Bowl champions, Howie Roseman and the front office need to find a way to keep him. It’s just that simple. — Stolnis

Goedert continues to be a dependable player for the Eagles when healthy. Keeping him on the field has been the only real issue. Due largely to hamstring and knee issues, he was limited to 680 total offensive snaps last season, his fewest since 2020. He’s about to enter his age-30 season, and his $11.7 million cap hit for 2025 will have to be addressed, either via trade or a contract extension.

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The Eagles went thin at tight end in 2024, and that problem would be exacerbated if Goedert were to be traded. Grant Calcaterra flashed some pass-catching chops in Goedert’s absence last season, but there’s limitations there as a former sixth-round pick. The team signed both Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson in free agency, but those players are a significant tier below Goedert in terms of NFL production.

Trading Goedert — the clear No. 3 option in Philly’s passing game — for a fifth-round pick, as Eagles insider Anthoy DiBona recently projected, would be kind of brutal. The team should be able to work out a short-term extension to lower his cap hit, add some guaranteed money, and buy some time for a more reasonable succession plan.

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