Philadelphia Eagles’ Active Offseason
The Philadelphia Eagles had a notably active offseason, rewarding key players like Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun while parting ways with starters such as Darius Slay and James Bradberry. As the team gears up to defend their Super Bowl title, Philadelphia finds itself in a strong position, boasting ample financial flexibility for the 2025 season and $31.1 million in top-51 salary cap space.
Strategic Financial Maneuvering
A significant portion of this flexibility results from Howie Roseman’s aggressive contract strategies and backloaded deals. This approach has proven effective — as evidenced by their recent Super Bowl victory — but it also introduces long-term financial risks. In essence, the method is viable only if the players receiving contracts maintain peak performance and health, coupled with successful drafting to bring in young, cost-effective talent.
Favorable Outlook for 2025
So far, the Eagles have excelled in this regard, positioning themselves as favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2025, with plenty of cap space available this season and the third-most dead cap in the NFL.
Concerns for 2026
As promising as 2025 looks, the outlook for 2026 is less certain. The Eagles already face the third-highest projected dead cap for next season and only have an estimated $21 million in cap space, even with just 49 players under contract. Notable players like Reed Blankenship, Nakobe Dean, Dallas Goedert, Josh Uche, and Azeez Ojulari are set to become free agents.
The Case of Dallas Goedert
Dallas Goedert stands out as his contract will add a substantial $20.5 million in dead cap once it voids at the start of the 2026 season, due to the previously mentioned aggressive backloading. This financial obligation looms unless he is re-signed before the 2026 league year begins. Fortunately, the Eagles can circumvent this dead money if they opt for an extension, although a strict timeline imposes significant leverage on Goedert, offering him little incentive to accept a lower deal.
Extension Options
Goedert had previously agreed to a pay cut in May 2025, reducing his base salary by $4.25 million in exchange for full guarantees on his remaining contract. This willingness to collaborate suggests he aims to stay with the Eagles. However, whether he aligns with their long-term plans and if they’re prepared to compensate him adequately remains in question. His injury history raises additional concerns, particularly following a subpar 2024 season where he participated in only 10 games.
Future Decisions
The Eagles face a critical decision regarding Goedert in 2026. They can either allow his contract to void and absorb the $20.5 million dead cap expense, a painful choice that would halt any further financial escalation, or they could give him a small extension to distribute the dead cap over subsequent years. Given that he’ll be starting his age-30 season within the context of the Eagles’ competitive timeline, extending Goedert appears to be a logical move.
Conclusion
The ideal solution for both parties might be a fair extension prior to the 2026 league year, ensuring Goedert remains with the team for an additional 2-3 years and preventing a significant dead cap burden. The Eagles might find it beneficial to spread out the dead cap over an extended contract rather than overloading it with void years. While Howie Roseman may continue to navigate contracts aggressively, the risks of such salary cap management strategies are notable, as seen in examples like the New Orleans Saints. Nonetheless, the Eagles have managed these complexities effectively thus far, making their journey intriguing to follow.
