Gold Rush

The offseason dominoes are falling for the Philadelphia Eagles on the first day of legal tampering for NFL free agency.  The Birds are set to lose another key piece, with Javon Hargrave agreeing to terms with the San Francisco 49ers.

Former Eagles’ DT Javon Hargrave has reached agreement on a four-year, $80 million deal that includes $40m guaranteed at signing with the SF 49ers, per sources. Deal negotiated and confirmed by Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha. pic.twitter.com/rQGVb9OAZe

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023

The four-year, $84 million contract shows the massive step up in his value since he signed his initial 3 year, $39 million deal with the Eagles during the 2020 offseason.

The 30-year-old defensive tackle leaves Philadelphia after three successful seasons that included a Pro Bowl in 2021.

While not considered a reliable run defender, Hargrave made up for it with the constant threat of rushing the quarterback, tallying 23 sacks over three seasons. His 11 sacks in 2022 was a career-high.

After the Eagles tallied 70 sacks in 2022, Hargrave remains on an elite defensive line, joining a San Francisco unit that includes 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.

Philadelphia now finds their top defensive tackle, and player tied for the second-highest sack total in 2022, poached by perhaps their biggest NFC threat in returning to the Super Bowl, with the 49ers coming off of losing to the Birds in the NFC Championship game.

The now-former Eagle Hargrave joins T.J. Edwards as the second starting defender to leave the team in free agency in the 2023 offseason, with more expected to follow suit.

With Hargrave’s exit and Fletcher Cox currently not under contract, the Philadelphia Eagles will look to build their defensive tackle room around 2022 first round draft pick Jordan Davis.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com