A substantial number of Eagles starters are headed for free agency. Many of them resided on Philadelphia’s defense. The Eagles want to retain at least one of them, having traded for C.J. Gardner-Johnson just before last season. But the defending NFC champs will not use the franchise tag to do so.
Gardner-Johnson is not expected to receive the tag, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets, noting the Eagles are not on track to tag Javon Hargrave, either. Philly is not planning to tag anyone this year. Although extensions between now and Monday (the start of the legal tampering period) could commence, many talented Eagles will be expected to test free agency. Teams have until 3pm CT today to use the tag.
Gardner-Johnson resides as a priority for the Eagles, but they are close to needing to compete with other teams to retain the slot cornerback-turned-safety. The Saints traded CJGJ to the Eagles for two Day 3 draft choices last year, and the brash cover man intercepted a league-leading six passes despite missing five games. The safety tag would have cost the Eagles $14.5MM.
Beyond Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles have Hargrave and James Bradberry as defenders set to cash in soon. Both are heading into their respective age-30 seasons, however. While that will impact each’s earning potential, both delivered in their contract years in Pennsylvania. Hargrave’s 11.5 sacks helped the Eagles threaten the 1984 Bears’ single-season sack record, while Bradberry teamed with Darius Slay and bounced back after being a Giants cap casualty. The Giants cut Bradberry after the draft last year, limiting him on the open market. The former Panthers draftee reaching free agency on time this year will give him a better shot of commanding a solid guarantee number. This would be Bradberry’s third time hitting the market; it would represent Hargrave’s second crack at free agency.
The Eagles also have T.J. Edwards, Marcus Epps, Kyzir White, Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox set to be available from their defense. Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo and Miles Sanders are UFAs-to-be from Philly’s offense. Sanders has been expected to hit the market for a bit now.
Hargrave is going to be a big loss.
cjgj would be a savage if he left lmao i hope he does
Slap the tag on the team mascot Howie.
The Eagles are likely to receive some compensatory draft picks next year. The 49ers are getting 7 of them this year.