Eagles free agents: Who may not return in 2025?
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PHILADELPHIA - While the Eagles take a moment to bask in Super Bowl glory, the team will soon be forced to make decisions on several key players who helped bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Philadelphia.
The Eagles league-leading defense that remained stout against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl could lose breakout linebacker Zack Baun, and linemen Josh Sweat and Milton Williams.
The Eagles also stand to lose a key part of their offensive line, and other smaller role players who helped them on the road to Super Bowl LIX.
Who are Eagles key free agents?
Zack Baun, LB: Baun had somewhat of a full circle moment in Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. That was the field that Baun called home for the first four years of his professional football career as a member of the Saints.
The Eagles quietly signed Baun to a one-year contract last March, a move that didn't receive fanfare and limited media coverage. It ended up being one of GM Howie Roseman's best savviest moves of the offseason – and maybe his entire career.
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Baun, 30, had a breakout season for the Eagles and started in every game, including the postseason. The former 3rd round draft pick had more than 150 tackles and was credited with 52 solo take downs. His ferocious defense made him a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.
Josh Sweat, DE: The Eagles front seven anchored their league-leading defense that dominated Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Sweat was among that core after signing a one-year deal to remain with the Eagles last offseason.
Philadelphia got another steady season out of Sweat, a 27-year-old drafted out of Florida State in 2018. He played in 16 regular season games, collecting over 40 combo tackles for the fourth straight year and finishing around 30 solo tackles for the third year in a row.
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Sweat let the Eagles know what they could be missing in the Super Bowl when he sacked Mahomes 2.5 times, with three quarterback hits, and recorded six tackles.
Milton Williams, DT: The Eagles could lose another member of their gargantuan defensive line that so many opposing teams feared on Philadelphia's Super Bowl winning team.
Williams played in all 17 games last season, starting seven. The former third round draft pick set a new career high with 5 sacks and forced his first fumble.
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Mekhi Becton, OL: Standing at 6'7, 363 lbs. the Eagles could lose a seemingly immovable object on their offensive line that's tasked with not only protecting Jalen Hurts, but widening holes for Saquon Barkley.
Becton seemed to have hit his stride in his first season in Philadelphia after his career with the New York Jets was derailed by a knee injury. The 25-year-old is hard to miss on the field and could hold a similar presence on the free agent market.
Brandon Graham, DE: The word ‘leader’ defines Brandon Graham in more ways than one. For more than a decade, Graham has been the heart and soul of the Eagles defense, but he's also the team's all time leader in games played with 206.
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All signs point to Graham retiring in the offseason after the 36-year-old had a storybook finish to his career culminating in his second Super Bowl ring. Graham made his postseason debut in Super Bowl LIX and contributed to an all-time defensive performance against one of the greatest coach-quarterback duos ever.
Graham was mum about his future immediately following the Super Bowl, but many expected it to be the final game of his 14 year career.
Other notable free agents: Fred Johnson, G; Avonte Maddox, CB; Rick Lovato, LS
When does NFL free agency start?
NFL free agency starts at the ‘beginning’ of the NFL's calendar year, which in 2025 is on Wednesday, Mar. 12 at 4 p.m. However, 32 teams can enter negotiations with free agents two days before free agency starts in what's known as the "legal tampering window."
Teams can begin using the franchise tag on Feb. 18 and have until Mar. 4 to use it.