It’s been over a decade now, and the Philadelphia Eagles have remained consistent with one thing: They do not value high-paying linebackers in the modern NFL.
Whether it’s the yearly run of looking for value at the position or the neglect on draft day, Philadelphia has been a team that values its cornerbacks and defensive linemen more than the men in the middle defensively.
That could change during the 2024 offseason, though, with over $40 million in cap space and needs all over the defense.
Eagles Free Agency Predictions: Linebacker Targets
With a loaded free agency class at linebacker, for the first time in over a decade, the Eagles could theoretically be seen as a team that looks to address the position they’ve left alone for so many years. Let’s break down some of the top available linebackers that Philadelphia could be interested in.
Patrick Queen
If there was a player that the Eagles could sign to end the stigma of their disdain for paying linebackers, Patrick Queen would be the player. A first-round pick out of LSU, Queen has been a model of consistency for the Ravens since 2020 and a Pro Bowl player to boot.
He’s coming off a year where he was graded at an elite 73.1 by Pro Football Focus and has recorded over 100 tackles in three of his four seasons with Baltimore.
Queen would be the most expensive linebacker the Eagles pay in team history, but it could also be plenty worth it. His skill set, along with third-round pick Nakobe Dean, could be the type of combination the Eagles have desperately been looking for.
Devin White
If not Queen, then how about Devin White?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have a lot of cap space and plenty of other concerns surrounding the makeup of their organization. Baker Mayfield’s pending free agency is just the tip of the iceberg of players who need new deals.
In all likelihood, White is heading for the open market, giving the Eagles a chance to add one of the most complete linebackers in football. White requested a trade during the season after not getting a long-term offer from the team but is coming off a disappointing season as a whole in 2023.
Could that lower his price enough for a team like Philadelphia to have interest in? It’s certainly possible.
Willie Gay Jr.
If the Eagles can’t bring in the two biggest fish at linebacker, the consolation prize could be a young LB in Willie Gay Jr., who has a high motor and plenty of championship experience with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gay didn’t have the best overall year with the champs in 2023, but he was an integral part of their title team in 2022 and someone who showed spurts of brilliance last year. Gay could come at a lesser price but be one of the better all-around linebackers the Eagles have had in recent years.
Eric Kendricks
In 2017, Philadelphia had its deepest LB corps in recent memory, with Nigel Bradham, Jordan Hicks, and Mychal Kendricks leading the charge. Those days may be gone, but Kendricks’ younger brother is still in the league — albeit past his playing prime.
Should the Eagles be interested in bringing Eric Kendricks to Philly, they could offer a smaller value deal to get the last bit of good football out of the 32-year-old.
Zach Cunningham
It may be seen as unpopular, but Zach Cunningham was not terrible with the Eagles last season despite the late-season defensive collapse. His overall grade of 69.4 by PFF was respectable enough while recording 85 tackles with a fumble recovery and four passes defended.
It’ll have to be a contract that doesn’t break the bank, but Cunningham could be a nice depth signing for the position in 2024.
What Will the Eagles Do at Linebacker?
After breaking down the best available options at the position, here’s my prediction for how the Eagles will address the LB position in free agency.
- Sign Gay to four-year, $20 million deal
- Sign Cunningham to one-year, $4 million deal
They might not be able to bring in the top linebackers, but Gay is a strong, aggressive player with a championship swagger. He would pair nicely with Nakobe Dean, while Cunningham would be a strong role player/third linebacker in case an injury comes up.
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