Eagles GM Howie Roseman Explains Short-Term Free Agency Strategy

Philadelphia has favored one-year deals over long-term commitments in recent offseasons.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented football players and equipment, conveying the complex decision-making process behind NFL free agency moves.The Eagles' strategic approach to free agency reflects a broader shift in the NFL towards maximizing limited resources through targeted, short-term deals.Philadelphia Today

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has shifted the team's free agency approach in recent years, favoring short-term, one-year contracts over long-term commitments. Roseman explained that the strategy is driven by the team's limited salary cap space compared to other clubs, leading them to target players with the right traits and production potential rather than big-name free agents.

Why it matters

The Eagles' new free agency approach reflects a broader trend in the NFL, where teams are becoming more selective with long-term deals and instead looking to uncover value in the middle and lower tiers of the market. This strategy allows the Eagles to remain competitive while also maintaining roster flexibility and investing in the draft, which has been a key part of their recent success.

The details

Over the past two offseasons, the Eagles have signed players like Jaelan Phillips and Trey Hendrickson to short-term, one-year deals rather than pursuing long-term commitments. Roseman explained that this is because the team doesn't have the most salary cap space compared to other clubs, so they are looking for 'opportunities' and 'lottery ticket' signings of players with the right physical traits and production potential. The approach has paid off in the past, like with Zack Baun's Pro Bowl campaign in 2024 after signing a one-year deal.

  • Over the past two NFL offseason cycles, the Philadelphia Eagles have shifted their free agency strategy.
  • In the 2026 offseason, the Eagles signed edge rushers Arnold Ebiketie and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to one-year deals rather than matching a four-year, $120 million offer for Jaelan Phillips from the Carolina Panthers.

The players

Howie Roseman

The general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles who has overseen the team's shift towards short-term free agent contracts in recent years.

Jaelan Phillips

An edge rusher who the Eagles had interest in re-signing, but the Carolina Panthers offered him a four-year, $120 million deal that Philadelphia was not willing to match.

Arnold Ebiketie

An edge rusher the Eagles signed to a one-year contract in the 2026 offseason.

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Another edge rusher the Eagles signed to a one-year deal in the 2026 offseason.

Zack Baun

A player who signed a one-year deal with the Eagles in 2024 and went on to make the Pro Bowl, earning a contract extension.

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What they’re saying

“Because we don't have the most money, you know, we have a lot of players under contract who are just looking for opportunities. And we understand that the hit rate on that's not going to be 100 percent. ... But we're going to swing the bat with guys who have traits in their body, who show that they get (production), who can translate to the system, and that guy is at the right position, too.”

— Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles General Manager

What’s next

The Eagles will look to continue their successful draft-and-develop approach, while also hoping their short-term free agent signings can uncover hidden gems to bolster the roster.

The takeaway

The Eagles' shift to a more selective, short-term free agency strategy reflects a broader trend in the NFL, as teams look to maximize their limited salary cap space by targeting players with the right physical traits and production potential rather than handing out big-money, long-term deals. This approach has worked well for the Eagles in the past and allows them to remain competitive while continuing to invest heavily in the draft.