The Philadelphia Eagles won’t have an easy time returning to the Super Bowl after losing a heart-breaker to the Kansas City Chiefs. Free agency and the NFL’s salary-cap restrictions make it difficult for teams to keep their roster together, and Philadelphia is no exception.
The Eagles’ roster features several Pro Bowl players who are headed for free agency in the 2023 offseason. Philadelphia can’t pay them all, especially with Jalen Hurts set to command a massive contract extension.
Here’s a look at the Eagles’ best players who could leave in free agency for the 2023 season:
Miles Sanders
Sanders is one of three running backs who were selected to the 2022 Pro Bowl and aren’t under contract for the 2023 season. While the impending free agencies of Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs have received more attention, Sanders is coming off a career year. The 25-year-old finished fifth among all players with 1,269 rushing yards.
Sanders’ 4.9 yards per carry were better than that of Barkley, Derrick Henry or Dalvin Cook. Running back Boston Scott is also unsigned for the 2022 season. Sanders is a candidate to receive the franchise tag.
Jason Kelce
Super Bowl LVII might’ve been the last game of Kelce’s career. The Eagles’ center is expected to consider retirement for a few weeks before informing Philadelphia of his decision. Kelce thought about stepping away from football last year before returning to the Eagles on a one-year, $14 million contract.
Kelce’s deal made him the highest-paid center in the league. The 35-year-old has been a First-team All-Pro selection in five of the last six years. Losing Kelce would be a blow to the middle of the league’s best offensive line.
Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave
Three of the best players responsible for the Eagles’ vaunted pass rush are all headed for free agency. Philadelphia had 15 more sacks than any team during the regular season, and most of the damage was done by the defensive line. Graham and Hargrave were tied for second on the team with 11 sacks. Cox had seven regular-season sacks.
Both Cox and Graham have been staples on Philadelphia’s defensive line for over a decade. They were part of the Eagles’ championship run five years ago. Hargrave is the youngest of the three players and likely going to receive big offers if he hits the open market.
T.J. Edwards
Haason Reddick was Philadelphia’s top linebacker for the 2022 season, but Edwards also put up big numbers in the middle of the Eagles’ defense. In his fourth season, Edwards had 159 total sacks, recording 49 more tackles than anyone else on the team. Edwards added two tackles and seven passes defensed.
Edwards is eligible to receive the franchise tag, though it’s unlikely that Philadelphia would pay a premium to keep him for one more season. The linebacker struggled in the Super Bowl as the Chiefs put up 38 points.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, James Bradberry
Two of the best players in Philadelphia’s secondary are also headed for free agency. The Eagles’ trade for Gardner-Johnson in August proved to be a terrific deal for Philadelphia. After the New York Giants released Bradberry in May, the Eagles signed the veteran to a one-year, $10 million contract.
Despite his pivotal holding penalty in the Super Bowl, Bradberry has likely earned a multi-year contract. The cornerback was a Second-team All-Pro selection. Gardner-Johnson is just 25 years old and had a league-high six interceptions. Philadelphia could place the franchise tag Gardner-Johnson so he doesn’t leave on a long-term deal.
