Eagles may consider stealing a few Buccaneers post Brady’s decision

Well, we gave him a few days just to make sure he wasn’t going to change his mind this time, and it appears that he won’t. It sounds and looks like, this time, the decision is final. When the 2023-2024 NFL season rolls around and we begin talking about things like training camp and the Philadelphia Eagles‘ preseason, for the first time in 24 years, Tom Brady won’t be on anyone’s roster.

The most decorated football player our beloved game has ever seen, on February 1st of 2023, announced via social media that he was retiring, “for good”. Questions began almost immediately. What will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like in 2023? Might the Carolina Panthers, the Atlanta Falcons, or the New Orleans Saints take over as the top dogs in the NFC South? Might other Bucs follow TB12 out of Tampa?

Would other Buccaneers leave Tampa now that Tom Brady is done? Would the Philadelphia Eagles be interested in adding one or two?

The Eagles have to make decisions on the future of 20 impending free agents at season’s end. The Bucs have even more work to do. With Brady calling it a career, Tampa has to make decisions on guys like William Gholston and 24 other players. Many of them are important pieces. Might any find their way to Philly?

Keanu Neal, safety

As much as it pains us to state this. The Eagles have rarely treated the safety position like it’s one of need, and that means there’s a chance that C.J. Gardner-Johnson could land elsewhere in 2023. Let’s hope not.

If he does, guys like Keanu Neal will be the types of guys that Philly will discuss. He’ll only be 28 by the time next season starts. He’s also a former Pro Bowler (2017), so there’s still some tread on the tires.

Akiem Hicks, defensive end

Swapping Robert Quinn out seems like a good idea, especially after he made his bid for becoming Ryan Kerrigan 2.0. Akiem Hicks is old. He turns 34 next November, so if this winds up being an option, we’d rather hang on to Brandon Graham. Keep in mind the fact that Derek Barnett returns from injury next season.

Sean Murphy-Bunting, cornerback

Bradberry will earn a huge payday next offseason. The question is will he earn that payday from Philadelphia? If he walks and the theory is Zech McPhearson and Josh Jobe aren’t the answer, someone like Sean Murphy-Bunting is interesting.

He’ll be 26 next season and already has some Super Bowl and postseason experience.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches, defensive tackle

We all know the Eagles will add defensive tackles even if it appears that they don’t need any. Well, this time around, they might need some help. Fletcher Cox, Linval Joseph, and Ndamukong Suh may all walk. Javon Hargrave needs a new deal as well if he stays.

Rakeem Nuñez-Roches is a six-foot-two, 307-pound powerhouse, and though he turns 30 on July 3rd, he’s a proficient run defender. Two sacks in 2022 was a career-high.

Lavonte David, linebacker

Kyzir White was picked on some in the passing game at times, but he’s weathered every storm, finishing this season strong. He may not be back though.

We hope T.J. Edwards sticks around. We think he will, and we hope Nakobe Dean makes a jump. Lavonte David wouldn’t do much for any youth movements. He’s 33 years old, but come on. This is Lavonte David. He’s STILL a game-wrecker (124 tackles and three sacks in 2022).