2012 NFL Free Agency: Adding a Linebacker Is the Next Step for the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have not signed any free agents yet. They preferred to address some inner issues first: They extended the contracts of Trent Cole and Todd Herremans, they traded Winston Justice to the Colts and handed DeSean Jackson a 5-year deal worth $51 million.

With $19.84 million of cap room, the Eagles can still extend LeSean McCoy’s contract and go after a couple of high-profile free agents before adding depth on the roster. Their top priority, though, should be adding a strong middle linebacker.

Howie Roseman, the general manager of the team, told the reporters that the Eagles are “looking at some things” and “probably being a little more patient” than they were in 2011 free agency.

Stephen Tulloch, Curtis Lofton, London Fletcher and David Hawthorne are still unsigned; however, things can change rapidly in free agency. The Eagles must take their time to think and re-evaluate, but they need to move swiftly and decisively to beat the competition.

Most of the teams went after offensive players in the first three days of free agency. Chances are that they will now shift their focus on the other side of the ball.

Dan Connor, a player that reportedly was on the Eagles’ foresight, signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Although Philadelphia won’t regret losing him, it would be unsettling to miss out on other linebackers.

The Eagles need a proven player at linebacker as much as the Redskins need a quarterback. They’d rather be quick than be dead.