Why do you think they can't keep both? He's already signed for 2026 and in 2027 they have $96 million in cap space with 44 players signed vs Patriots with $83 million in cap space with only 30 players signed and Gonzalez is going to sign and take more cap space. Likely similar or more than Carter.
His cap hit would be more than Barmore but not a ton more that Eagles can't choose Davis over Barmore.
If they can't keep both DL's and the Pats are in worse cap position, then it makes no sense Pats would be more likely to afford him and Williams.
Because it is the opinion I gained after spending a ton of time reading about the likelihood of trading for AJ Brown. I don't think Philly will do it. They have a new OC and its in their best interests to hold AJ one more season. Carter is going to reset the market wit his next deal being close to the highest paid defender in the NFL. Some wonder if it will be $40 million a year on average. Philly pundits suspect its coming sooner rather than later because if the wait, its going even higher.
Saquon has an out in his deal at the end of this season. The question is if what we saw in 2025 is his drop off or a bad OC. If its a bad OC and he returns to 2024 form, his $9,881,100, $13,057,100, and $17,414,100 are problematic for the Eagles as he will be sniffing for a raise. He is 29. I suspect they take the out on him.
The Hurts deal is actually a good one for Philly. He will be a bargain at $31,971,800, and he peaks at $47,549,000 in 2028. It will be tough to swallow his contract and AJ Brown's in 2027 and on. DeVonta Smith is a budding problem. He is 27 and way underpaid. Diggs is set to make $26 million this year at 33 years old. Smith is 27 and is on the books for $10,726,510, $14,769,510, and $20,071,512 for the next three seasons. I don't see how he can possibly stay at that level.
Dead Money: The team continues to carry high dead cap charges—roughly $48,032,213 due to restructures and players no longer on the roster. That will bloom to over $60 million before the season starts. If the cap is at the high end of $305.7 million, that almost 20% in dead money. The Pats have 1/3 of that. I read one article that says it could get to $80 million in dead money. Howie Roseman is all in now and uses void years to push cap hits into the future, assuming the league-wide cap will continue to rise. He does have an ingenious strategy, but at some point, kicking the can down the road will bite him and he will have to reset. His formula works when he wins and that is all that matters. The moment he starts losing, he is in trouble. That is why 2026 is pivotal. Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Tyler Steen, and Nolan Smith are all priorities for restructure, and Cater is the elephant in the room with his 5th-Year option available in 2027 looming at a cap hit of $27,424,000.
Jaelan Phillips is looking at $20-$22 million as a UFA. He is 27 and elite. They really want him but have to make a decision make. They traded a third-round pick for him as a rental? The team has 21 players set for free agency, including safety Reed Blankenship who I think the let walk.
All that said - A.J. Brown would kick in a $43.5 dead cap hit if traded prior to June 1. Post June 1 they can split it, but thy have to make the trade post June 1. It can't simply be paperwork designation. There is no such thing as a post–June 1 trade designation. For a trade to receive post–June 1 cap treatment: The trade must actually be processed after June 1. If the trade is executed in March, April, or May, all remaining prorated bonus accelerates immediately. You do NOT get the split treatment. The league does not allow teams to designate trades the way they can designate cuts. The league requires the transaction date to determine cap treatment.
So if AJ Brown is traded prior to June 1, Philly cannot split his dead cap. $48 million goes to $91.5 with only AJ. All the restructures are estimated to bring in another $20 million in dead cap. How can a team run with $112 million in dead cap and over 1/3 of the salary cap?
I do not see the Pats waiting post June 1 to make the trade for AJ so the Eagles can split the dead money. I think Vrabel wants his team in place before then. The strategy is to fill every hole possible before the draft, and then get stronger in the draft. Diggs signed in March 28 and that seemed late. Could the Pats wait and do it? Sure, but not by using 2026 picks.
