INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: General manager Howie Roseman of the Philadelphia Eagles speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Eagles' Last-Minute Guide to 2023 NFL Free Agency

Jake RillMar 12, 2023

Howie Roseman was promoted to executive vice president/general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the 2019 season. It didn't take him long to turn the team back into a top Super Bowl contender, either.

The Eagles recorded their first 14-win regular season in 2022, then went on to win the NFC championship and reach Super Bowl LVII. Although Philadelphia lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the final game of the campaign, it was still a successful year for the franchise.

What will the Eagles do to improve their roster so they can soon win the second Super Bowl title in their history? We'll find out shortly, as NFL free agency is set to begin Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET (with the legal tampering period starting 48 hours prior to that on Monday).

Here's a last-minute free-agency guide for Philadelphia with the 2023 offseason about to ramp up within the next few days.

Cap Situation

1 of 3

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

2023 NFL Cap: $224.8 million

Cap Space: $6.6 million, per Over The Cap

The Eagles don't have a ton of available cap space. So they'll either need to cut some players to clear room or restructure some contracts in an attempt to give them more financial flexibility heading into free agency.

According to ESPN's Dianna Russini, Philadelphia has allowed cornerback Darius Slay to seek a trade. It's possible nothing will materialize. But if the Eagles end up trading Slay, they'd be moving his $26.11 million cap hit for the 2023 season along with him.

That's likely the only transaction that would clear up that amount of cap space for Philadelphia. So if no Slay trade happens, the Eagles may not make any major moves.

Notable Free Agents

2 of 3

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 08: James Bradberry #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates an incomplete pass during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on January 08, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

CB James Bradberry
DT Fletcher Cox
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
DT Javon Hargrave
C Jason Kelce
RB Miles Sanders

The Eagles could be losing some significant players from their defense. Bradberry and Gardner-Johnson both impressed during their lone seasons in Philadelphia in 2022, with Bradberry notching three interceptions in 17 starts and Gardner-Johnson recording six picks over 12 starts.

Not only is the status of the secondary uncertain, but so is that of the interior defensive line. Cox has spent his entire 11-year NFL career with the Eagles, so it will be interesting to see whether he returns to them for a 12th season.

Kelce has already played 12 years for Philadelphia himself, having spent his entire career there as well. Perhaps he retires, considering he'll be turning 36 in November.

Sanders is coming off a breakout season in which he rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 25-year-old should land a sizable contract in free agency.

Biggest Needs and Potential Targets

3 of 3

Rob Carr/Getty Images

TEMPE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 09: A detailed view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet lays on the field in a practice session prior to Super Bowl LVII at Arizona Cardinals Training Center on February 09, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. The Kansas City Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023 at State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Running Back

Sanders and Boston Scott are both set to hit free agency. That leaves Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks as the Eagles RBs under contract for the 2023 season. And for a team that relies so much on the ground game, it likely needs to add one or two backs to that stable.

It's possible Philadelphia could target former Texas running back Bijan Robinson in the NFL draft. The Eagles own a pair of first-round picks (Nos. 10 and 31), so they may end up landing him with one of those selections.

Either way, free-agent RBs such as Raheem Mostert or James Robinson could make sense for Philadelphia. This is all assuming that Sanders doesn't return, though, as there's a chance he could re-sign with the Eagles.

Cornerback

Whether or not Slay gets traded, Philadelphia still needs to bring in a starting-caliber corner this offseason, unless Bradberry returns. But he's likely to land a sizable free-agent deal, which may prevent the Eagles from getting the 29-year-old back for a second season.

Marcus Peters could be a good potential free-agent target for Philadelphia. The 30-year-old has 32 interceptions in seven NFL seasons, which is the type of playmaking ability that could boost the Eagles' secondary.

Defensive Tackle

The Eagles could fill the holes on the interior of their defensive line by re-signing their own players set to hit free agency. In addition to Cox and Hargrave, Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh are also hitting the market. So Philadelphia likely needs to bring back/sign/draft multiple DTs this offseason.

If the Eagles can afford it, Zach Allen could be a great target in free agency. The 25-year-old had a career-high 5.5 sacks in 13 starts for the Arizona Cardinals last season and may only be getting better with experience after four years in the NFL.