There's nothing like professional football. The sad part is it never seems to last long enough. We're only promised 17 regular-season games during the Philadelphia Eagles' campaign. An opportunity to compete for a Lombardi Trophy is contingent on the final win-loss tally.
Things worked out last time around. Philly won the NFC East and four straight during the postseason, but as great as it was to see them win Super Bowl LIX, there was this weird feeling and question.
Wait! There are no more games?
So, here we sit. The Philadelphia 76ers are a mess, and we love the Phillies. We aren't sure the latter won't let us down again though.
That leaves us with a familiar itinerary for the next two months. Our plan is to mull over every free agent theory and mock draft. Here's a question. What happens if the Birds move on from Darius Slay?
Eagles must make decisions on two impending free-agent corners and veteran Darius Slay.
We've spent a fair share of our time discussing Philly's priority free agents: Zack Baun, Josh Sweat, and Milton Williams. The consensus hasn't changed. Most believe the Birds won't be able to retain all three.
Darius Slay isn't one of the Eagles' impending free agents. He's signed through the 2025-26 season, but some wonder if he might be moved in an attempt to save a few dollars which would certainly change the look of the secondary.
Philadelphia struck gold by drafting Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean last April. Kelee Ringo waits in the wings. There are also two other DBs we aren't discussing as often.
Don't forget. Isaiah Rodgers and Avonte Maddox are both scheduled to hit free agency too.
Impending free-agent cornerbacks to avoid if Eagles move on from Darius Slay
If Slay, Maddox, and Rodgers are allowed to move on, Philly only has four listed CBs on their roster. Mitchell and Dean are in the mix for a few more seasons. Parry Nickerson and Eli Ricks are solid but unspectacular. There are also four listed 'defensive backs'.
James Bradberry, Tariq Castro-Fields, A.J. Woods, and Lewis Cine complete the list of DBs. Cine is more of a safety however, and Philly's plan was to transform Bradberry into one. That doesn't look like its going to work.
So, let's get back to the original conversation. What if Darius Slay moves on? What if Rodgers and Maddox follow him out of the door? The Birds could look to the free agency pool in an attempt to replace them.
Here are a half-dozen guys to avoid if they do so.
Paulson Adebo
At this point, we don't know what to expect from Paulson Adebo and would advise any interested party steer clear. He's been benched. He's played like a star at times. He got off to a slow start for the New Orleans Saints last season before breaking his femur and sitting out the last ten games of the season.
Nate Hobbs
A potential Avonte Maddox exit would mean the Eagles wouldn't have a reliable backup slot corner. Nate Hobbs would satisfy that need, so maybe he shouldn't be on this list?
We don't question his ability. He's an excellent slot corner, but we'll mention him for now because we wonder if the better allocation of resources would be better spent on finding someone who plays primarily on the outside like Slay did.
Philly seems set with playing Coop inside, but they'll have to find a reserve at some point.
Jourdan Lewis
Jourdan Lewis has earned a well-deserved reputation for being a versatile DB with many intangibles. He has also been one of the few Dallas Cowboys worth complimenting.
Why is he on this list then? Something seems wrong about giving him a large payday. We just can't put our finger on what that 'something' is.
Rasul Douglas
Drafted by the Eagles during the third round in 2017, Rasul Douglas always seemed like a decent player who just wasn't very athletic or speedy. Then, he left Philly and seemingly improved.
It appeared he had found his way with the Green Bay Packers before they moved on and traded him and a fifth-round draft choice to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a third-rounder.
Douglas turns 31 in August. He's never been speedy or consistently elite. Frankly, we'd recommend re-signing Isaiah Rodgers before entertaining thoughts of a reunion.
Stephon Gilmore
Don't get us wrong. Stephon Gilmore is still solid, but he's 34 years old and relying more now on a reputation he earned previously. Most of the guys he entered the league with have retired, and we'd suggest other options than rolling the dice on a formerly great player who simply isn't what he once was.
Asante Samuel Jr.
Philly added Jeremiah Trotter Jr. during the 2024 NFL Draft. Might they take a look at Asante Samuel Jr. during the coming free-agency frenzy?
Discussions about nepotism are fun. It would be cool to add the son of a former three-time Eagles Pro Bowler, but 'Junior' simply isn't as good as 'Senior'.
