The date was March 25 and Eagles Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman was in Orlando, Florida at the NFL Annual Meeting talking about the team's approach to free agency. The 2024 NFL Salary Cap had jumped significantly, up to $255.4 million, affording Philadelphia the opportunity to be extremely aggressive in the market – both in signing players from other teams and retaining players who could hit the streets.
And they were. In a big way.
The Eagles signed two large handfuls of free agents and they have seen the payout from many of them: The roster makeover, a complicated puzzle at that time, has come together as well as anyone could have imagined – the Eagles are 8-2, winners of six straight games, atop the NFC East, and enjoying a long mini-bye weekend after Thursday's 26-18 win over Washington.
Roseman and his team have built an impressive roster in a variety of ways – the NFL Draft, trades, post-draft moves, additions via the waiver wire, and, yes, free agency – something Roseman touched on back in March. Not every move has panned out, but the batting average is strong and the impact has been great.
Some free agents who have made a difference for the Eagles in the first 10 games of this season …
RB Saquon Barkley: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
What the Eagles said then about Barkley: "We think Saquon is a special player. We think he is a special person. They're hard to find, especially on the open market. A guy who can touch the ball 300 times a year, hopefully. There aren't a lot of players, skill-position players, that are touching the ball that many times and have that effect. Obviously, we've looked at the workload. He trains unbelievably, he's a freak. You see that in his testing numbers. You see that in his body, in his GPS speeds, and so we believe in the player. We think that, based on the resources and where you can put resources, that this made a lot of sense for us." – Howie Roseman
What Barkley has added: He is over 1,000 yards, has been a durable, explosive, and highly productive player who is leading the NFL in both yards from scrimmage (1,347 yards) and rushing (1,137 yards, 17 more yards than Baltimore's Derrick Henry before Sunday's games). Barkley has been everything, and more.
LB Zack Baun: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
What the Eagles said then about Baun: "Vic (Fangio) had a guy in his defense at Miami with a similar skill set (Andrew Van Ginkle) who hadn't really ascended yet. That guy had the ability to play off the ball, who had the ability to play on the edge, who had these tools in his body to really ascend under Vic. We think Zack is a versatile player who can rush from the edge, who can play off the ball, who is a tremendous special teams player. He was a targeted guy for us." – Howie Roseman
What Baun has added: A starter from Day 1, Baun has been a week-to-week playmaker who has excelled in every phase of the game. Fangio has used him in a variety of ways and Baun has responded with a career year. He has been great.
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
What the Eagles said then about Gardner-Johnson: "Playmaker, ball skills, instincts, mentality. This guy loves to play, loves to practice, loves to compete, and it's hard to find guys who have legitimate ball skills. Has swagger, which was important for us to bring to the team and something we really wanted to add, and he has toughness and is the kind of guy we want for our defense, for our football team. Perfect fit for this city." – Howie Roseman
What Garder-Johnson has added: All of what Roseman said, and then some. Very physical guy, great emotion, and around the ball on a defense that has been among the league's best.
OG Mekhi Becton: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
What the Eagles said about Becton: "He has played tackle and has a lot of skills that you want to take a look at. We are open to seeing what he can do at both tackle and guard, so we will take a look at him and see how he performs." – Head Coach Nick Sirianni
What Becton has added: Becton earned the starting right guard job in Training Camp and has been a terrific addition to the offensive line. His size, power, and inside skills have been a plus for an offense that is among the NFL's best.
DE Bryce Huff: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
What the Eagles said about Huff: "He's heavy-handed, he understands leverage, he's got explosiveness in his body." – Howie Roseman
What Huff has added: He is playing in the edge rotation and his productivity has improved as has the Eagles' entire defense. Huff figures to play an important role for the Eagles up front the rest of this season.
LB Oren Burks: Signed as an unrestricted free agent
What the Eagles said about Burks: "He has been a special teams captain and he also had an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl and probably had the best game of his career under the bright lights when he had to come in when they had an injury. Tremendous character as well." – Howie Roseman
What Burks has added: Exactly what Roseman suggested. Burks is a key backup at linebacker, a core player on special teams, and a winner.
QB Kenny Pickett: Acquired in a trade
What the Eagles said about Pickett: "Kenny is a talented guy that obviously, like all quarterbacks, we do work on. You never know when you will have an opportunity to get those guys to build depth on our roster." – Howie Roseman
What Pickett has added: He knows the offense and he is ready should he be needed. As is, Pickett is a supporting player who is great in the locker room and in the quarterbacks room.
DE Brandon Graham: Retained before hitting free agency
What the Eagles said about Graham: "BG gets to play in his 15th season and he's going to be a great asset for us in 2024." – Howie Roseman
What Graham has added: This is no shake-hands-and-kiss-babies Farewell Tour. Graham has been a force, playing about 48 percent of the snaps. The win over Washington was typical Graham: 32 snaps, four total tackles, one quarterback sack, two tackles for loss. Impact player in his role.
P Braden Mann: Retained before hitting free agency
What the Eagles said about Mann: "He's improving, working hard, and he's a really good athlete who also does a tremendous job as a holder." – Howie Roseman
What Mann has added: He is averaging 50.7 yards per punt gross average and 42.7 yards in net average. Mann has been great. He has also kicked off extremely well and is a superb holder for Jake Elliott on field goals.
CB Avonte Maddox: Signed after testing free agency
What the Eagles said about Maddox: "Glad to have him back. Experienced player who is a versatile guy for our defense." – Howie Roseman
What Maddox has added: Started the season as the nickel cornerback and now part of the team's dime package who can play the nickel or help at the safety positions. Contributes on special teams as well.
