Big Decisions Ahead

Don’t look now, but one of the more fascinating phases of the Eagles’ offseason is fast approaching.

In just a few weeks, the team will have some difficult decisions to make once the NFL calendar shifts to free agency, as their vast pool of expiring contracts includes a healthy mix of accomplished starters and invaluable depth pieces.

The top priority in terms of retention figures to be 26-year-old pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips, acquired in a trade with the Miami Dolphins last November ahead of the NFL trade deadline. The cost of doing business in yielding a player of Phillips’ caliber necessitated a third-round pick, a steep investment for nine games, but it was an aggressive maneuver that proved impactful, inciting a defensive surge down the stretch.

Phillips’ market – despite appealing age, positional value and projected production – is tricky to forecast due to injury history, but the defense greatly benefited from his presence, both on and off the field.

The list also includes a trio who wholly embody the organization’s core values and have thrived in high-leverage moments over the years in Dallas Goedert, Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship. Envisioning the Eagles’ future without any of the aforementioned could be an inconceivable reality, reiterating the inevitably of roster turnover year over year.

Beyond the headliners, though, there are more than a dozen other Eagles who will face similar uncertainty. Not every player on the list carries the same household name appeal as those previously mentioned, but on an active roster that stores 53 players, the importance of depth underscores the value of having dependable role players.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Brett Toth is one of many Eagles who face uncertain futures.

The latter is an accurate depiction of veteran Brett Toth, a reserve likely overlooked in the grand scheme of the team’s pending free agents who made three starts last year (not counting the season finale) because of injuries on the offensive line and helped the Eagles win two of them.

Toth, 29, is the epitome of perseverance, doing whatever necessary to claw his way onto an NFL roster his first six seasons, continually honing his craft and providing immeasurable value behind the scenes. Though toiling in relative anonymity for much of his career, Year 7 was a breakthrough for Toth, who emerged from training camp as the top interior backup.

Toth, who logged 224 offensive snaps in 20 career games coming entering last season, racked up 363 snaps over 17 games. He made his first start at center in the team’s 38-20 rout of the New York Giants in Week 8. While there was plenty of outside skepticism leading up, Toth gave a stellar showing, proving correct those who believed and invested in him over the years.

The Army product started twice at center and twice more at left guard, highlighting his value. The outings at center were particularly impressive, as Toth showcased athleticism and the high-level football intellect lauded by teammates.

It’s also worth noting that Toth evidently had an advocate in Jeff Stoutland, his only position coach during his time in Philadelphia. Stoutland, who pushed Toth, identified qualities in the multi-faceted lineman he deemed worthy of developing and remained intent on seeing it through. Both were rewarded last season.

Stoutland, however, has since departed from his job of 13 seasons. Presiding over the room in 2026 will be Chris Kuper, who joins the staff following a four-year run with the Minnesota Vikings. It’s unclear yet what traits in linemen the team will covet to best suit the expected scheme implemented by first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, but every team needs a versatile, dependable option who doubles as a positive influence in the building and helps younger players.

The Eagles witnessed Toth’s growth firsthand and demonstrated a commitment to his development for the better part of seven seasons. That could count for something if he doesn’t get lured away by another team offering a chance for a more prominent role.

Toth isn’t the only key reserve on the offensive line slated for free agency that could affect depth. Fred Johnson, who started the final eight regular season games (and Wild Card matchup) in place of an injured Lane Johnson, proved to be among the more shrewd additions orchestrated by general manager Howie Roseman ahead of the regular season.

Johnson, 28, departed last March after two seasons (six starts) with the Eagles, seeking a chance to start. That opportunity could present itself once again, as Johnson mostly held up well in his starts, but the Eagles saw briefly last summer what life without Johnson looked like and might not want to explore the unknown once again.

Sure, they’ll draft a linemen or two in April with an eye toward shaping the future, but that only adds more youth to a room of developmental players that already includes second-year pros Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams and Willie Lampkin. Johnson should test the waters, to be sure — one look at the state of offensive line play around the NFL puts him in an advantageous position — but if nothing shakes, he’s proven he’s found his niche in Philadelphia.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com