The Eagles are starting to build their 2026 roster by first looking at internal free agents and who they want to bring back. One player who will NOT be returning, however, is linebacker Nakobe Dean, who reportedly agreed to a three-year, $36 million deal that includes $20 million guaranteed with the Las Vegas Raiders — leaving behind a plethora of Georgia teammates he’s played with since college.
Dean has struggled to stay healthy at times but he’s always locked in even if it’s from the sideline. Still, that history — including a Lisfranc injury, a torn patellar tendon, and a hamstring injury — impacted his free agency options.
Through four seasons, he’s played in 47 regular season games, has been a starter the past three years, when healthy, and has recorded 226 total tackles, 13 QB hits, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception. His 2024 season was so good, Dean received votes for Comeback Player of the Year, and the LB was a dominant force up until he got injured ahead of the team’s Super Bowl win.
He was able to get back on the field in Week 6 of the 2025 season, and while the plan was to slowly reintegrate him into the linebacker rotation, Dean was quickly back taking most, if not all, the reps he once shared with Jihaad Campbell. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury late in the season, and sat out Weeks 17 and 18, but was able to come back for the Eagles’ sole playoff game.
Now with the Raiders, Dean is notably reunited with former Eagles assistant linebackers coach Ronell Williams. Vegas also employs multiple former Eagles front office members.
It’s nice to know that he didn’t go to the Dallas Cowboys. There was speculation that could’ve been the case.
Dean signing with the Raiders puts the Eagles in position to potentially earn a fifth-round compensatory pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
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