By Michael Bennett
Now that the Lombardi Trophy is in Philly for the next year, it’s time for Howie Roseman to get back to work:
The Eagles have 13 unrestricted free agents, including running back LeGarrette Blount, linebacker Nigel Bradham, tight end Trey Burton (above), safety Corey Graham, cornerback Patrick Robinson, running back Darren Sproles and kicker Caleb Sturgis.
Safety Jaylen Watkins is the lone restricted free agent. He may not warrant the lowest restricted free agent tender, which will be a little more than $1.9 million.
The Eagles got a jump start on free agency by extending wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan’s contracts during the season. Jeffery’s four-year extension averages $13 million per year. Jernigan got $48 million over four years with just under $25.5 million in guarantees.
A surplus of young running backs on rookie contracts (Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, Donnell Pumphrey and Wendell Smallwood) could make re-signing Blount and Sproles, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee, a luxury for a cap-strapped team.
Robinson has probably priced himself out Philly after playing the 2017 season on a one-year deal at his $775,000 league minimum. He should easily top in free agency the biggest payday of his career, which so far is the three-year, $14 million deal he received from the Colts in 2016. A healthy Sidney Jones, who missed almost all of his rookie season because of an Achilles tear, should help cushion the blow of losing Robinson.
Burton seems unlikely to return even if Celek retires. His opportunities will continue to be limited playing behind Ertz, a Pro Bowler. It’s conceivable Burton’s receiving skills will entice some team into giving him a contract similar to the five-year, $32.5 million extension with $16 million in guarantees Vance McDonald signed with the 49ers in 2016.
Jake Elliott has effectively replaced Caleb Sturgis, who was lost for season after the first game with a hip injury, for about half the cost. He’s under contract for the 2018 season at his $555,000 league minimum. Graham seems most likely to return at safety after playing the 2017 on a one-year, $1.6 million deal.
The toughest decision relates to Bradham. He was invaluable after middle linebacker Jordan Hicks tore an Achilles midway during the season. Bradham assumed the responsibility of setting the defense when Hicks got hurt. His salary floor should be the five-year, $26.25 million deal with $13 million in guarantees Malcolm Smith got from the 49ers last March in free agency.
Retaining Bradham could allow the Eagles to revisit trading linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who is under contract the next two seasons for $13 million and has a $7.6 million 2018 cap number. Kendricks would revert back to his role as the third linebacker, where his playing time would be limited with a healthy Hicks and Bradham sticking around because of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s preference for putting five defensive backs on the field. $4.4 million of cap space would be created by trading Kendricks.
