Best Of The Best

When the Eagles take the field for OTAs later this month, like most every team, there will be a sea of new faces.

Life in the NFL moves quickly, after all, leading to frequent roster churning, evidenced by the Eagles identifying expected reinforcements in all three phrases. The Eagles were limited with regard to their offseason spending, but sometimes, that’s where general manager Howie Roseman is at his best, showcasing creativity and an unrelenting nature in roster maneuvering.

While the assessments of those new names and faces remain incomplete until the games are played, there is plenty of reason for optimism.

Excluding draft picks, listed below is my choice for the Eagles’ best offseason move, along with a somewhat overlooked signing that potentially carries significance:

ITB PHOTO: Jonathan Greenard headlines all the Eagles’ offseason moves.

Best: The acquisition of OLB Jonathan Greenard

Wedged into the frenzy that is draft weekend, Eagles executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman delivered a masterclass, sending a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for Greenard and a 2026 seventh-round pick. It wasn’t part of the initial plan; the Eagles prioritized retaining free-agent pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, who ultimately priced himself out of the team’s budget. Then there was interest in free-agent Trey Hendrickson, who inked a four-year $112 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

But similar to what transpired in 2020, when cornerback Byron Jones signed a five-year, $82 million deal with the Miami Dolphins and the Eagles pivoted to Darius Slay via trade, the Eagles again came away with the better option, this time in Greenard.

In terms of offseason needs, near the top of the list for the Eagles was adding a top-flight pass rusher to pair with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith. The arrival of Phillips – an era that lasted all of nine games – greatly benefited Hunt and Smith, commanding attention from opposing offensive linemen. It unlocked the full potential of the defense, and enabled Hunt and Smith to settle into more ideal roles.

In Greenard, the Eagles not only acquire a more financially appealing option, but also an arguably better pass rusher. Sure, Greenard is coming off a down year, having accumulated just three sacks in an abbreviated season due to a left shoulder injury. Sack totals don’t always paint a full picture, however. Greenard proved he hadn’t lost as step, as evidenced by his pressure numbers and quality rushes. The 2020 third-round pick, who turns 29 later this month, combined for 24.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024.

The fit in coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense is apparent, and if Greenard’s shoulder is fully healthy, it’s feasible to expect a return to form. Adding to the significance of the trade are Greenard’s intangibles. His selfless mentality and leadership, both evident upon Greenard’s initial meeting with reporters, epitomizes qualities the organization values.

Runner-up: Inking CB Riq Woolen to a one-year deal

The Eagles weren’t in a position to generate the kind of offseason splash that sends ripples throughout the NFL. They were clear and transparent on that leading up to free agency. Still, the team managed to score one of the top available cornerbacks, signing Woolen to a one-year deal worth $12 million. Sure, there is rationale contributing to a player of Woolen’s profile fitting within the Eagles’ desired price range – consistency being a primary reason – and both parties have acknowledged as much.

But Woolen, who in Seattle played under Eagles’ defensive line coach Clint Hurtt, who for two seasons served as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator (2022-2023), lands with an organization noted for nurturing and maximizing talent. Viewing things through the lens of player development, the Eagles’ position coaches are simply among the league’s best. It’ll be on Woolen, who experienced his share of ups and downs on the field in Seattle, to embrace his latest opportunity with a renewed hunger.

The tools are there. For perspective, 6-foot-4 cornerbacks are a rarity. And there aren’t many at the position matching Woolen’s blistering speed and playmaking ability, conjuring intrigue for the enigmatic 27-year-old. Woolen earned his first and only Pro Bowl nod as a rookie after snaring six interceptions and 16 passes defended, suggesting a return to his 2022 version isn’t out of the realm of possibility. The opportunities to make plays on the football figure to be plentiful, as teams look to avoid testing Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in coverage, creating scenarios for Woolen to capitalize on his uber-athleticism. He’ll need to play with more consistency and remain fundamentally sound to flourish under coordinator Vic Fangio, and if he does, Woolen could be the missing piece needed to propel the secondary to even greater heights.

Underrated (potentially): Signing CB Jonathan Jones to one-year deal

The addition of Jones might have been met with relatively little fanfare, but it could prove to be an important one. Last season, the Eagles toggled between veteran Adoree’ Jackson and third-year pro Kelee Ringo opposite Quinyon Mitchell, ultimately settling on the former. While Jackson eventually stabilized the turbulence and provided some continuity, the 30-year-old Jackson started only 10 of the 14 games in which he appeared and was frequently dinged. This forced the Eagles too often to call on the bullpen, where Ringo was tabbed to fill in. Without a suitable replacement to navigate the interim, predictably, production waned. Ringo returns in 2026, as does late-summer trade acquisition Jakorian Bennett, but should Mitchell, Woolen or Cooper DeJean miss any amount of time due to injury, the Eagles need a steadier option to minimize drop-off. And, at least on the surface, it appears they’ve landed one.

In Jones, the Eagles have an 11-year veteran who has logged 144 regular season games (78 starts) and eight postseason appearances. What’s more, along with his experience and demonstrated performance, the 32-year-old Jones offers positional versatility — a valuable asset in a Fangio defense. Jones appeared in 12 games (seven starts) last season for the Commanders, registering 41 tackles, five passes defended and a sack across 484 snaps. A hamstring injury sustained in Week 2 necessitated a stint on injured reserve, which is worth noting given Jones’ age, but the versatile defensive back, in theory, equips the Eagles with a more fitting contingency plan. For reference, look no further than 2024, when Isaiah Rodgers was called on, at points, to ably answer the bell.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles reporter for InsideTheBirds.com