Philadelphia Eagles: Latest Free Agency News and Rumors

The whole football world is scrutinizing 40 times and bench press repetitions at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the Philadelphia Eagles still have to prepare for their free-agency approach before the draft begins.

The official start of free agency is early March, although teams are currently permitted to apply the franchise tag to players if they wish. For the Eagles, that would likely be Jeremy Maclin or Brandon Graham, although neither seems likely to get the franchise tag.

There’s still plenty of time for free-agent moves to happen, and rumors will continue to swirl about what the Eagles may do in March. For now, here’s an update on the latest buzz surrounding the team.

No Progress Made on Jeremy Maclin’s Contract

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

There’s a feeling of panic beginning to set in among Philadelphia Eagles fans due to the lack of progress being made on impending free agent Maclin’s contract. A year after the Eagles jettisoned three-time Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson, they can’t possibly let another Pro Bowl wideout walk, can they?

For starters, there’s still a long way to go before it’s time to worry. The Denver Broncos still haven’t re-signed Demaryius Thomas. The Dallas Cowboys haven’t locked up (or franchised) Dez Bryant. The Baltimore Ravens haven’t signed Torrey Smith. The same goes with the San Francisco 49ers and Michael Crabtree, the Green Bay Packers and Randall Cobb and the Denver Broncos and Wes Welker.

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I still think Jeremy Maclin's situation depends on what happens with Dez Bryant's deal, but could see #Eagles using tag to buy time.

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) February 18, 2015"

The Eagles aren’t lagging behind in that aspect. Maclin is likely just waiting to see what the other players get before he signs a deal. If it’s a month from now and Maclin still hasn’t signed, then it’s time to officially worry.

James Casey Released

John Cordes/Associated Press

The Philadelphia Eagles put an end to the James Casey era, releasing the tight end in a salary cap move that will save the organization $4 million for the 2015 season.

The Casey signing never really worked out under Chip Kelly, since the team drafted Zach Ertz shortly after signing Casey. In two years, Casey caught just six passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns, although he did contribute as a special teams ace.

Casey is 30 years old and will likely get another chance somewhere as a third tight end and a standout special teams player. For the Eagles, this opens the door for 2014 undrafted rookie Trey Burton to have a much bigger impact going forward.

Eagles ‘Frontrunners’ for Cornerback Byron Maxwell

John Froschauer/Associated Press

Per Tony Pauline of Draft Insider, the Philadelphia Eagles are strongly interested in free-agent cornerback Byron Maxwell.

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Present word has the Philadelphia Eagles as front runners for cornerback Byron Maxwell.

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) February 20, 2015"

Maxwell has the size (6’1”, 207 pounds) and long arms that Chip Kelly covets, and he’s still just 26 years old. Maxwell may have benefited greatly from playing in Seattle’s Legion of Boom secondary, but he’s still a massive upgrade over either Cary Williams or Bradley Fletcher. He’s physical enough to stick with Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr., which the Eagles need to compete in the NFC East.

Should the Eagles be interested in working out a deal, it’s likely they’ll have to pay Maxwell more than $10 million annually.

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Yesterday I mentioned how hot the free agent cornerback market will be. Early numbers i'm hearing are $10 mill/annually for Byron Maxwell

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) February 20, 2015"

Cary Williams ’50-50’ to Return

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

Whether Williams returns in 2015 will likely depend heavily upon whether the Philadelphia Eagles can work out a deal with free-agent cornerback Maxwell (or Kareem Jackson or Antonio Cromartie or any of the other free-agent corners out there).

Williams is scheduled to make $8.1 million in ’15, which would rate (per Over The Cap) as the 13th-highest cap hit of any cornerback for next season. That’s a lot of money to pay for a corner who was rated by Pro Football Focus as the 49th-best cornerback in the league in ’14.

As of now, it’s seen as a "50-50" that Williams returns next year.

When the Eagles initially signed Williams to a three-year deal, they likely didn’t view him playing it out, simply due to the fact that there is very little dead money ($1.6 million) should the Eagles release him this offseason. Philadelphia isn’t a team that would draft a first-round corner and start him right away, so if Williams isn’t back, it’s likely because the Eagles found a better alternative via free agency.

Nate Allen Cleared of off-the-Field Incident

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Free-agent safety Nate Allen made headlines this offseason when he was arrested and charged for “something that did not happen.”

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Nate Allen @eagles S arrested because one girl said he exposed himself in his truck. Police realized girl was not telling truth. Released

— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) February 17, 2015

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Allen has since been released of the incident, and he spoke with 6ABC Action News to tell his side of the story.

This shouldn’t affect Allen’s free-agent status at all. He’s a five-year pro with the Philadelphia Eagles and a former second-round pick who set a career-high with four interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 2014 (just the third safety since 2010 to pull off that achievement). 

Allen isn’t an ideal starter, and he projects best as a rotational safety who could probably be re-signed with a fairly cheap, two-year deal.

Former Eagles OT King Dunlap Signs Long-Term with San Diego Chargers

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

Good for King Dunlap. A former seventh-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008, Dunlap has blossomed since taking over as the left tackle for the San Diego Chargers. He was rated by Pro Football Focus as the 23rd best offensive tackle in the NFL out of 84 qualifiers, and he’s outplayed 2013 first-round tackle D.J. Fluker the past two seasons.

Dunlap hit free agency this past offseason, but the Chargers locked him up to a four-year, $28 million contract extension that could keep him in San Diego through the 2018 season. Dunlap is a mammoth of a man at 6’9”, and he’s an exceptional run-blocker who also holds his own in pass protection. He’s a good blindside protector for Philip Rivers.