Those in the know say the salary cap is supposed to increase again. We believe them but won't count those chickens until they hatch. All we have in terms of discussing the Philadelphia Eagles is what we can see right now. You know what? We kind of like that! That needs some work, but it sounds like something Jalen Hurts would say.
But anyway, we're just shooting the breeze while waiting for another NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Let's discuss the Eagles' free agents who are flying under the radar.
The Birds enter the offseason as the reigning and defending Super Bowl LIX champions. Everything begins anew now though. They have to make the same climb that everyone else does.
The combine is another hurdle. The free-agency frenzy officially begins on March 12. We've discussed the top priority guys in great detail, but what if Philly went the route of retaining more of their guys who are cost-effective?
17 free agents... You'll hear a lot about them as we move toward the new league year, but don't be surprised if some of the lesser-mentioned guys are retained and given extensions.
Oren Burks, Linebacker
We've spent a ton of time discussing Howie Roseman finding Zack Baun, his diamond-in-the-rough addition, that we've ignored how much talent Oren Burks has. The latter saw more playing time following Nakobe Dean's injury, but he's a solid player who seems to do most of what he does satisfactorily.
Burks notched 41 tackles and two forced fumbles during the regular season. He started three of the four playoff games and added 25 tackles, a sack, and two more forced fumbles. He also logged more than 300 snaps on Michael Clay's special teams unit.
Philly will treat Zack Baun as a top-priority signing. They should. He's a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro, but if Baun's price tag becomes expensive, they can cut costs by relying on Burks and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Keep this in mind too. Dean may not be physically ready for the start of the coming regular season. That may help Burks' case some.
Fred Johnson, Offensive Tackle
Fred Johnson is a former practice squad signee. He eventually worked his way onto the roster, but the two-year deal he most recently signed is at its end.
He turns 28 years old on June 5th. He's respected and appreciated by Jeff Stoutland. Most importantly, he started six games this season and provides depth at offensive tackle for an Eagles team who mostly has depth along the O-line's interior.
Ben VanSumeren, Linebacker/Fullback/Special Teamer
Ben VanSumeren's negotiation could be viewed as important. He was a huge special teams contributor who also began playing some fullback. A season-ending knee injury suffered during practice ended his campaign.
He's a little different from the other guys on this list. He's an exclusive rights free agent. In other words, his contract is expiring, he has fewer than three accrued seasons. He can't negotiate with other teams if the Eagles offer him, at minimum, a one-year contract at the league minimum.
Isaiah Rodgers, Cornerback
Simply put, what happens with Darius Slay may determine what happens with Isaiah Rodgers. The former is signed through 2025 but may wind up spending what he says will be his final season elsewhere. Might another run with Detroit be in the cards?
The latter is an impending unrestricted free agent, but will Philly pay excessively when they already have Eli Ricks and Kelee Ringo waiting in the wings? Then again, does anyone see Ricks and Ringo as being ready?
Kenneth Gainwell, Running Back
We don't doubt Saquon Barkley's ability, but we rarely see guys follow 2,000-yard rushing seasons with another phenomenal season immediately. Then again, we rarely see 2,000-yard rushing seasons anyway.
You know what? Forget we said anything. Saquon is on another level, but after toting the rock 436 times during the regular and postseason, the Birds may want to split the workload next season. And, they're going to need someone on the roster they trust other than Will Shipley.
He's good, but he isn't a workhorse.
Rick Lovato, Long Snapper
If you're keeping score, we have mentioned the long snapper Rick Lovato every time we've discussed free agency.
Signing your long snapper isn't sexy, but it's a necessary roster piece. Ask any team whose special teams unit rockets a snap over their punter's head.
Worth mentioning: Britain Covey
Britain Covey is certainly worth a mention. Injuries robbed him of a full season, but we know how much he means to the return game. He also proved he can be a capable receiver if his number is called.
The only question we have is this, and it feels like we ask this every year. Is it wise to use a roster spot or utilize the resources to hang onto a full-time punter when there are other needs?