A Quick Look at All 14 of the Eagles’ Pending Free Agents this Offseason
The 2022 Eagles offseason is here and the team will have a lot different than the one that left the field in Tampa on Sunday.
The Eagles have 14 free agents, including nine unrestricted free agents, that they will need to make decisions on, starting in March when free agency begins.
Here are some early thoughts on the Eagles’ free agents to-be.
Rodney McLeod | The Eagles safety will be 32 years old next season and had an up-and-down season. McLeod posted 58 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups in 13 games. The Eagles could bring him back on a team friendly deal, but certainly need to look for a younger upgrade.
Anthony Harris | Like McLeod, Harris is aging and will be 31 years old next season. He had a solid game against the Buccaneers in the Wild Card round and could generate some attention on the free agent market after posting 76 tackles, two for loss and a interception.
Steve Nelson | Nelson was a much need addition to the Eagles secondary, signing a team friendly, one-year deal worth more than $4 million. He will be 29 next season and if the Eagles can get him back on a similar friendly deal, they might go that route. I would anticipate the Eagles look to add a young corner in the top of the draft with one of their three first-round picks.
Derek Barnett | There are some questions with what the Eagles’ defensive line will look like next season, especially if Barnett is not retained. If he wants to cash in, I wouldn't think it would be in Philadelphia., but the problem is im not sure there will be much of a market for him on the open market and the Eagles could look to bring him back on a team friendly deal. His propensity for personal fouls, far outweighs his production on the field, which generated a career low two sacks this season. He had a career high 46 tackles with seven for loss this season.
Ryan Kerrigan | Kerrigan will be 34 when the 2022 season begins. While he didn't make much of an impact this season, he did have a fine Wild Card game against Tampa, notching three tackles, including two for a loss, adding 1.5 sacks in the game. He only had three tackles the entire season in 16 games.
Genard Avery | The Eagles send a 2021 fourth-round pick to Cleveland to acquire Avery in 2019, but he really hasn't made much of an impact. He is a pass rushing specialist, who ended the season with just one sack and has three total since being acquired.
Jordan Howard | Howard had a nice second stint with the Eagles, but didn't have a carry in the Wild Card game. He played in seven games this season, gaining 406 yards, but gained a impressive 4.7 per carry with three touchdowns. I wouldn't expect to see teams lining up to ink the 27-year old, so maybe the Eagles bring him back to training camp.
Jason Croom | Croom suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason game against the Patriots and will likely not be back.
Hassan Ridgeway | Ridgeway is a veteran defensive tackle who had a solid season with 20 tackles and two sacks in limited snaps. The team will likely get young in this spot.
Boston Scott (restricted) | When ever the Eagles have needed Scott, he has answered the call. He has a knack for the end zone, scoring seven touchdowns in 2021, adding another score on his lone carry in the Wild Card game. He might have some interest from other teams this offseason as a cheap back who can catch the ball and find the end zone.
Nate Herbig (restricted) | Herbig has been a nice find for the Eagles as a reserve interior lineman. He started five games at right guard and saw some time at center this season. He has stared 17 of 33 career games and will likely be back as a depth piece in 2022.
Alex Singleton (restricted) | Singleton is a solid player, but is much better suited in a reserve role or two-down linebacker. He is a hard working guy, who is makes a lot of tackles, but his limitations against the pass are what makes him a liability in a full-time role. He led the team with 130 tackles, four for loss, an interception and a forced fumble.
Greg Ward (restricted) | Like Boston Scott, whenever the Eagles need Ward he seems to answer the call. Ward had just seven catches on the season, but three of them went for scores. Ward has 10 touchdown catches on 88 career receptions and is a sure-handed receiver that should have gotten more reps in 2021 with Jalen Reagor struggles.
Andre Chachere | Chachere saw time in 16 games this season, making 15 total tackles this season, seeing most of his time on special teams. He played for Jonatghan Gannon in Indianapolis, so as a early rights free agent, the 25-year old will likely be in training camp.