How do you improve a team that was not only the last remaining undefeated team in the NFL but also went all the way to the Super Bowl? This is a question Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is likely wrestling with this offseason.
They face a tall task, considering the Eagles have already lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators from 2022, as both have become head coaches elsewhere. Not to mention, the Eagles have several key free agents whose contracts have now expired, including Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Robert Quinn, Brandon Graham, James Bradberry, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Sure, they will do their best to retain as many of their own free agents as possible, but past history shows Philadelphia won’t be able to keep them all. With starters on both sides of the ball set to hit the open market, the Eagles are in a tough spot, especially considering they have just over $1 million in cap space to spend.
Yet, all of these factors haven’t prevented Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer from speculating about Bobby Wagner potentially joining Philly’s ongoing championship effort. Wagner, a six-time All-Pro linebacker, is expected to be released from the Los Angeles Rams as soon as the new league year begins on March 15. He will then be a free agent, but the Rams are said to be allowing the 33-year-old (in March) to speak with other teams ahead of free agency, giving him a leg up on the competition.
As the Eagles work through their offseason spending plan, the idea of adding a future Hall of Fame linebacker can’t be overlooked. Wagner has topped 100 tackles in all 11 of his seasons in the NFL and also has six years where he created multiple turnovers. He’s certainly an impact player, even at his advanced age.
With last year’s starting linebacker T.J. Edwards set for free agency and possibly looking at a bigger payday elsewhere, if the numbers are right, adding Wagner to the middle of the defense could be one of those championship-level moves the Eagles are looking to make.
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2023: From 1-400, Derek Carr, Bobby Wagner join growing market