Ahead of this week’s NFL free agency commencement, three significant trade agreements have been finalized, yet none of these transactions involved the Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver, A.J. Brown, being moved to a different team.
This situation might change by Monday. Alternatively, the Eagles’ persistent demand for a first-round draft selection for Brown could stall negotiations with other franchises until the initial frenzy of free agency subsides.
This minor predicament for Philadelphia represents a key narrative as free agency approaches, with three major trades already executed before the Eagles have neared any agreement for Brown. These include: the Las Vegas Raiders’ dispatch of pass rusher Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens; the Kansas City Chiefs’ exchange of cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams; and the Chicago Bears’ transfer of wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills.
Interestingly, one of these aforementioned trades also brought to light another compelling storyline deserving attention during the first week of free agency. Specifically, the Dallas Cowboys’ pursuit of Crosby, which reportedly featured an offer consisting of a first- and second-round pick for the elite edge defender. While the Ravens ultimately furnished the pair of first-round selections that Las Vegas was seeking, the Cowboys’ vigorous engagement lent credibility to team owner Jerry Jones’s statement at the NFL scouting combine, where he informed reporters that Dallas intended to “exceed their budget” in free agency and allocate “more capital than they possess.”
These comments predictably met with cynicism from the Dallas fan base, accustomed to Jones making grand declarations about free agency in the past, only to witness such promises fall short when deals began to materialize. However, the Cowboys were clearly a prominent contender for Crosby, suggesting that Dallas will be an active participant in both the market for edge rushers and high-caliber players — either through free agency or if another trade opportunity arises prior to the draft.
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This scenario positions the NFC East rivals as two intriguing teams to observe, albeit for distinct reasons. While the Cowboys are embarking on an aggressive acquisition strategy, the Eagles must determine necessary roster subtractions while also balancing potential additions. This extends beyond merely Brown’s future. Two league sources conveyed to Yahoo Sports last week that the Eagles are amenable to considering offers for defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who is entering his fourth professional season and is now projected to have a fifth-year team option anticipated to surpass $27 million in 2027.
Currently, several financial considerations influence Carter’s potential upcoming contract with the Eagles. Among them, Philadelphia has already extended nose tackle Jordan Davis with a three-year agreement valued at $78 million and is expected to commence negotiations for substantial extensions with cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean following the 2026 season. While these were already presumed to be costly contracts, the magnitude of the Eagles’ task in securing extensions for Mitchell and DeJean in 2027 became clearer on Sunday when the Los Angeles Rams signed McDuffie to a groundbreaking four-year, $124 million deal at his position. That contract elevated the cornerback market, which has been steadily progressing towards an “equalization” offseason that would place elite cornerbacks on a similar pay scale as top-tier wide receivers. This shift is anticipated both this offseason and likely the next. The Eagles hold two key contracts that will shape the market when Mitchell’s and DeJean’s extension windows open next offseason.
Sustaining Jalen Carter’s presence long-term may pose financial challenges for the Eagles. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Mitchell Leff via Getty Images)
After both achieving first-team All-Pro recognition in 2025, Mitchell and DeJean are poised to secure top-tier cornerback extensions once their eligibility window opens in a year. This impending expenditure is in addition to the Eagles’ efforts to finalize a contract with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips in the coming days. Phillips’s contract will be a point of focus, especially after the Eagles acquired him last season from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a third-round pick at the trade deadline. The Eagles’ coaching staff and front office are confident that Phillips, who will celebrate his 27th birthday this offseason, still possesses immense potential as a pass rusher following a healthy 2025 season. He is also expected to generate significant interest on the open market, which could push his next contract’s average annual value beyond the $20 million threshold.
It is improbable that Carter would be traded without a substantial player or a sizable collection of draft assets in return; however, the 2025 season saw a decline in his performance, as the 2024 second-team All-Pro battled a persistent shoulder injury for much of the year. This development places Philadelphia at a critical juncture this offseason — with Carter now eligible for his own extension, but with lingering questions regarding his injury-marred 2025 campaign and what his market value might be if he experiences a similar season in 2026.
An offseason without bold maneuvers from general manager Howie Roseman would be atypical. His decisions regarding Brown and Carter — along with whether he secures a deal with Phillips — will undoubtedly be paramount among his agenda items.
As we approach free agency this week, here are some additional points of interest…
How tense will it get between Chiefs, Travis Kelce?
Within both league and agent circles, there is a degree of skepticism concerning the likelihood of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce genuinely testing the free agency market — though the possibility is not entirely dismissed.
What is evident is the Chiefs’ preference to retain Kelce at a salary that would represent a reduction from the $17.125 million annual average of his most recent two-year extension. Several factors work in the Chiefs’ favor: Kelce will be 37 next season, he is three seasons removed from his last All-Pro selection, and he is not anticipated to command an elite-level contract from another team that would entice him to depart Kansas City.
It would not be surprising if Kansas City takes a tougher stance than expected in negotiations, resulting in Kelce’s eventual return to the team later in the free agency period.
3 teams in running for C Tyler Linderbaum
Often in free agency, offensive linemen, particularly tackles (even those of moderate skill), receive significant attention. It is less common to observe this phenomenon with centers, yet this is partly what is expected to generate early headlines, with multiple teams vying for Tyler Linderbaum. Among the prominent contenders are the Raiders, Washington Commanders, and Baltimore Ravens. Do not be astonished if an unexpected team emerges and secures Linderbaum with the most financially lucrative contract ever awarded to a center in NFL history. Numerous teams could benefit from Linderbaum anchoring their offensive line, which will make him one of the most compelling free agency pursuits this week.
Other observations on Bears, Commanders, Alec Pierce and Kyler Murray
The Chicago Bears were not significant participants in the chase for Maxx Crosby, which raises questions about how the franchise intends to address its deficient edge rush. It could be that the Bears are confident in acquiring another player in free agency, or there is optimism that the robust defensive line class of the upcoming NFL Draft will yield successful additions for Chicago with their three picks within the top 60. …
While Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is projected to sign a substantial deal in free agency, Green Bay’s Romeo Doubs is an intriguing player to monitor. Some teams believe he possesses the capability to be a quality No. 2 wideout within the appropriate offensive scheme. Considering his statistics (2,424 receiving yards and 21 touchdown catches), it would not be surprising if Doubs secures a respectable mid-tier wide receiver contract. …
One position that I am confident will be filled by a free agent is the Commanders’ running back slot. The Commanders have conducted extensive evaluations of the running back class and appear determined to sign one of the top two or three players available on the market. …
And finally, quarterback Kyler Murray is one player who might remain on the market for an extended period by his own design. It seems his representation is more focused on ensuring he lands in the ideal situation to rejuvenate his starting career. If this process takes longer than anticipated, it will be due to a concerted effort to scrutinize teams and discern their intentions regarding quarterbacks in the draft, as well as evaluating scheme and coaching compatibility. Naturally, those in a less advantageous bargaining position cannot be overly selective, and Murray may ultimately have to accept the available market rather than the one he deems most perfect.
