The NFL offseason will be in full swings in just about two weeks, and one of the first orders of business for organizations will be deciding which of their pending free agents will get resigned.
The Eagles have 14 unrestricted free agents entering this offseason. Given the current cap situation, the majority of these free agents will have new homes in 2021. With a new coaching staff in place, there will be no need to keep most of their pending free agents. But, there are some who could fit nicely into the new offensive and defensive schemes that’ll be implemented.
Let’s take a look at which free agents will be staying and leaving this offseason.
LT Jason Peters
Leaving
Chances of staying: 0%
We’ve already heard that Peters wants to return for an 18th season, but even he said it likely won’t be with the Eagles. “Fans deserve more than what we gave them this year. Hopefully, we’ll be able to bounce back with this new coach and new staff. I’m gonna play one more year, try to get me another ring. Probably won’t be in Philly, unfortunate but try to choose a team and get another ring,” Peters told 6ABC Action News about two weeks ago.
He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer and an all-time Eagles great, but with a new coaching staff and a new direction for the team, it’s time for the Eagles and JP to part ways.
S/CB Jalen Mills
Staying
Chances of leaving: 25%
On the surface, Mills seems like the exact type of player that would leave once a new regime took over. He was a favorite of former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and you could argue the only reason Mills remained an Eagle for as long as he did was because of Schwartz.
But truth be told, new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon typically prefers bigger, more physical corners on his defense. While Mills primarily played safety last season, he was used in a multitude of ways.
He’s versatile, and under the right tutelage, perhaps he can become a solid starter on the outside opposite of Darius Slay in Gannon’s defense. Gannon has developed some fine corners during his coaching career. The Eagles will need to fill their second cornerback spot somehow this offseason, so don’t be surprised if they elect to bring Mills back on a cheap deal to do so.
QB Nate Sudfeld
Leaving
Chances of staying: 10%
Sudfeld was obviously a favorite of the prior coaching staff, particularly Doug Pederson. With Pederson gone and two superior quarterbacks already on the roster, Sudfeld feels like the odd man out. Maybe they’ll keep him around on a cheap deal just to fill that third quarterback spot, but it’s doubtful.
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
Leaving
Chances of staying: 0%
Nickell Robey-Coleman felt like a steal in free agency last season, but after seeing one season of him in an Eagles uniform, I think we can all agree he should be gone. He’s limited in what he can do at the cornerback position, and I believe Gannon will try to slot Avonte Maddox into the nickel spot going into next season.
DE Vinny Curry
Leaving
Chances of staying: 20%
With the emergence of Josh Sweat last season, there’s no apparent need to bring someone like Vinny Curry back. He’s a very solid run stuffing defensive end, but chances are there will be another team willing to pay him more than the Eagles will. Therefore, he’ll be in a new uniform next season.
DT Hassan Ridgeway
Staying
Chances of leaving: 40%
This one feels like a toss up right now. Ridgeway is nothing more than a depth piece, but with Malik Jackson likely gone this offseason, Ridgeway could be a very affordable third defensive tackle behind Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. He’s also a bit younger than another pending free agent defensive tackle, T.Y. McGill, which makes him a little more appealing.
CB Cre’Von Leblanc
Staying
Chances of leaving: 40%
Man, I really love Cre’Von Leblanc. I know he’s a bit injury prone and isn’t the flashiest nickel corner, but when he’s on the field he plays with so much energy. It’s unclear if he’ll stay, but I’m going to try and talk it into existence. Leblanc would be a very solid depth piece in this secondary, and if Maddox doesn’t workout in the nickel, Leblanc has proven he can play just fine in that spot. Let’s all hope Cre’Von is back for another year in midnight green.
TE Richard Rodgers
Staying
Chances of leaving: 35%
With Zach Ertz likely to be gone this offseason, Richard Rodgers would be a solid tight end to pair with Dallas Goedert next season. He played pretty well whenever Ertz or Goedert were absent in the lineup, and it seems like Nick Sirianni is going to utilize his tight ends quite a bit. Rodgers is cheap and reliable, pretty much all you ask for in a veteran backup.
DT T.Y. McGill
Leaving
Chances of staying: 25%
Whether the team will decide to bring back Ridgeway or McGill is yet to be determined, but as I mentioned earlier, going with Ridgeway seems like the way to go. McGill will be 30 years old next season, and as we’ve heard a million times by now, this team is going to try and get younger this offseason.
LB Duke Riley
Leaving
Chances of staying: 15%
Maybe the team will retain Duke Riley for special teams purposes, but as far as being a three-down linebacker again, I just don’t see it. It’s about time the team blows up their current linebacker group in favor of younger guys, so don’t expect Riley to be sticking around.
RB Corey Clement
Leaving
Chances of staying: 20%
Once upon a time, Corey Clement was the leading receiver in a Super Bowl victory for the Eagles. Those were the days. Unfortunately, Clement’s once promising career hasn’t amounted to much of anything since that game, as he’s often been injured and ineffective. Miles Sanders and Boston Scott are the two primary backs moving forward, and I’d imagine Sirianni will want to add a power back behind them. Clement could come back as a special teamer, but the chances aren’t likely.
S Jonathan Ford
Leaving
Chances of staying: 0%
Jonathan who? Exactly — moving on.
TE Joshua Perkins
Leaving
Chances of staying: 15%
Perkins was never terrible when he had the chance to play at tight end, but he’s clearly not a long-term answer, even as a depth piece. Chances are the team will want to go young behind Goedert and Rodgers, and while Perkins has been a solid receiver at times, he doesn’t provide much of anything in the blocking department. I’d imagine the Birds will want a younger tight end there to develop long-term.
LB Nate Gerry
Leaving
Chances of staying: -25%
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! The best for last! Nathan Gerry!
This guy won’t be back next season, no chance. He was one of the worst starting linebackers in football when he was healthy last season, and like I said earlier, the team ought to re-make their linebacking group this offseason. Gerry doesn’t fit into those future plans.