The Linc – Mekhi Becton reportedly prefers returning to the Eagles

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …

NFL insider’s notes: Justin Fields’ Steelers future, Mekhi Becton’s free agency, Dolphins’ draft plans, and more – Sportskeeda

Offensive lineman Mekhi Becton is drawing a lot of interest, as I predicted in an article several months ago. I’m told teams are looking at Becton as a guard primarily, but who can move to tackle if need be. The 2020 first-round pick of the Jets was a late signing in free agency by the Philadelphia Eagles last year, then went on to have a sensational season, helping pave the way for Saquon Barkley. I’m told the preference for Becton is to re-sign with the Eagles in free agency, as he’s comfortable with the franchise that helped him reclaim his career. However, it’s a matter of whether Philadelphia can fit him in the budget. It may take a while for Becton to sign with a team, hence, I don’t see something happening immediately once free agency opens.

Will Mekhi Becton return after bounce-back year with Eagles? – ESPN

Given the rocky start to his career and how well things have gone for him in Philly, it would be no surprise if Becton leans toward a return, all things being equal. After all, the keys to his resurgence were acceptance and fit. “The [offensive line], s—, the whole team, they welcomed me as if I’ve been here for my whole career,” he said earlier this season. “It’s just made things easier to just have people that put their arm around you and say, ‘Hey, come on. You got it. We’re here with you. You don’t have to do it alone. You don’t have to go through anything alone.’ That just makes things a whole lot easier on the field. You get to play free when you play like that.” “This is home for him,” Uzomah added. “He was crying after we won our division. And we hugged for a second and he was just like, ‘I can’t believe I’m here right now.’ That’s the kind of person he is: He wants to battle with his guys, he wants to be here, he wants to be present, he wants to feel like a family. And this is his family.”

5 interior offensive linemen the Patriots could target in NFL free agency – Pats Pulpit

Mekhi Becton (UFA): Originally a first-round tackle with the New York Jets, Becton moved to right guard upon joining the Philadelphia Eagles and played possibly the best football of his career. For New England, adding the 6-foot-7, 363-pound behemoth would be a classic case of bringing in as many talented players as possible and figuring it out from there. His versatility is a definitive plus, and would give the team more options to mix and match combinations.

NFL free agency: Players the Browns should prioritize next week on offense – Dawgs By Nature

Mekhi Becton – Thrived at guard for the Eagles and I like the idea of returning him to tackle.

Zack Baun, Eagles reportedly agree to three-year contract – BGN

Big news! The Philadelphia Eagles and Zack Baun agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract extension with $34 million guaranteed, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter. The Eagles originally signed Baun to a one-year deal in March 2024 to see what he can do. The former special teamer blew all reasonable expectations out of the water and was able to have an awesome season, earning first-team All Pro honors and winning a Super Bowl.

Big Money Baun – Iggles Blitz

Apparently Baun decided that sticking with the Eagles was important to him. He had great teammates and a brilliant defensive coordinator. He played on the best defense in the league and just won a Super Bowl. Baun might have gotten a bit more money on the open market, but he probably wouldn’t have been as happy. Luckily he decided to stay. As for the Eagles, they normally don’t throw big money at LBs because there are usually questions. Will the player fit the scheme? Is he a good teammate/leader? Can the player be a difference-maker? The Eagles knew the answers to these questions so this didn’t feel like a risky move to them. There isn’t a lot of mystery. Age is probably the biggest issue with Baun. LBs don’t tend to age well. At the same time, Baun wasn’t an ILB in New Orleans and he wasn’t a starter so there isn’t the same level of wear ‘n tear on him. This feels like a limited risk and one that is sure worth taking.

Zack Baun re-signs with Eagles: 5 thoughts on Eagles locking up All-Pro linebacker to 3-year contract – PHLY

5. So, what’s next for the Eagles? My guess is this is the “take care of family business” week, and the next line of business should be a resolution for Dallas Goedert. Even though he’s under contract, he has no guaranteed money on his contract. The Eagles can rework his deal, maybe guaranteeing this year’s salary and bringing the cap number down. They can trade him if they’re ready to commit beyond this year. I don’t believe they’ll cut him, but I don’t think they sit still. So, Goedert is my prediction for the next action, and I still think Milton Williams and Josh Sweat sign elsewhere on Monday.

Previewing the Eagles’ next calendar year, in stick figure form – PhillyVoice

3) I do think Howie has one big splash in him this offseason, likely via trade, whether that’s for Myles Garrett or some other cool player nobody is talking about presently.

Eagles free agency: Five on defense who could make sense – Inquirer

Khalil Mack: Mack, 34, has compiled plenty of individual accolades during his 11-year career. Perhaps a chance at a title is all that’s missing? The nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro edge rusher spent the last three years playing a significant role for the Los Angeles Chargers and compiled 17 sacks in 2023. He played fewer snaps last season but still started 16 games and finished with six sacks and 52 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has experience coaching Mack as well. The edge rusher finished second in defensive player of the year voting with the Bears in 2018 with Fangio as his coordinator. Mack’s name recognition and proven production could make him a priority signing for some teams, but the scenario in which he’d make sense for the Eagles likely is one in which he waits for an offer from a contender. That said, PFF projects Mack will command around $22.5 million annually, which would be a hefty price for the Eagles.

Identifying the perfect 2025 free agent match for every NFL team – PFF

Philadelphia Eagles: G Matt Pryor. Howie Roseman’s offseason has already been hectic, from replacing Kellen Moore to re-signing both Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun. The Eagles very well could need to find a short-term replacement for Mekhi Becton at right guard, and Pryor is underrated. Across 1,005 snaps with the Bears last year, Pryor amassed a 69.9 overall PFF grade, including a 78.1 PFF pass-blocking grade. The 30-year-old also ranked fifth among qualified guards with an 84.3 PFF pass-blocking grade on RPOs. It just so happens that the Eagles have run the second-most RPOs in football since 2023. Perhaps Roseman could replace one 6-foot-7 guard with another former Eagle who likely wouldn’t cost too much on the books but could prove to be a smart, low-key signing.

Eagles Stay or Go 2025: Bring back Isaiah Rodgers? – NBCSP

Dave: After the release of Slay, the Rodgers decision is more interesting. Rodgers got a chance to play a lot in 2024 because Slay kept getting banged up. While there was a drop-off between Slay and Rodgers, Rodgers did play well but was a bit up and down. Slay has been a proponent of seeing Rodgers earn a starting gig. Will that be in Philly? Or will another team offer him a contract on the open market? This could really go either way and it might depend on the team’s confidence in Ringo potentially being that other starter opposite Mitchell. If a team is willing to give Rodgers, 27, a multi-year deal it will probably prevent him from returning to the Eagles in 2025. Verdict: Goes.

Eagles’ Super Bowl winner provides update on potential White House visit – NJ.com

“I don’t know where the fact that we were not visiting came from because we did not have a team meeting or any other kind of meeting about going or not going,” Slay said. “We don’t know how that is going to play out, so we will see how that goes.”

The 5 O’Clock Club: Commanders 2025 roster review – defensive ends – Hogs Haven

The Commanders need to acquire 2 or 3 players capable of playing DE at a high level. One possibility that has been much-discussed is trading for Myles Garrett. We won’t consider that possibility here since it has been the subject of numerous other articles and, for the moment, the Browns continue to insist they aren’t trading him. Washington will need to sign at least one talented veteran free agent, and maybe two, given the limited number of early-round draft picks the team has (3 picks in the 80, and then nothing until after 200). Last year’s acquisition of Dante Fowler on a budget contract worked out well, but the signing of Clelin Ferrell on a similarly priced contract was less successful. Many fans observed that the Commanders defensive struggles to contain opposing running backs may have been a function of below-par DE play that needs to be corrected in 2025.

How the Raiders extension for Maxx Crosby impacts Cowboys and Micah Parsons talks – Blogging The Boys

The pass rusher market could still see some bumps as Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson lurk as other names to watch for new deals. It always stood to reason that Parsons was going to come in north of Bosa and probably even north of what Crosby just got, even if he is on record in saying he will take less for the Cowboys (his agent likely disagrees with that). The obvious next step is to swallow the pill and get it done as soon as possible.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ‘not looking at free agency as a place to fill voids’ on roster – NFL.com

The Dallas Cowboys created a swath of salary cap space in recent days by restructuring the contracts of CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott, but that doesn’t mean owner Jerry Jones is ready to open up the free-agent coffers. “I’m not looking at free agency as a place to fill voids,” Jones said on Wednesday, via ESPN. The Cowboys created $56.6 million in salary cap space with the Prescott and Lamb restructures. The moves pushed cap dollars to future years, opening up space in the current market. Any cap space left by the end of the season can be rolled over into next year.

Should the Giants trade for D.K. Metcalf? – Big Blue View

As for trade compensation, Seattle is likely to seek a significant return, potentially a high draft pick and an additional asset. Given the Giants’ 3-14 record in 2024, they must weigh whether giving up draft capital and cap room for Metcalf aligns with their long-term rebuild. While the idea of Metcalf donning a Giants uniform is enticing, it remains unlikely the Giants and the front office would be willing to make such a bold move. Schoen has shown a willingness to pull off big trades in the past, acquiring tight end Darren Waller and pass rusher Brian Burns in recent seasons. However, with the team in its current standing, prioritizing draft assets and salary cap flexibility might make more sense.

Gardner Minshew goes 1 and done with Raiders – Silver And Black Pride

For the third straight year, the Las Vegas Raiders are releasing their Week 1 starting quarterback from the previous season. As expected, NFL Media reported, that the Raiders will release Gardner Minshew next Wednesday when the new league year begins. This is not a surprise at all.

NFL free agent rankings: Top players at every position – SB Nation

As NFL fans, we tend to daydream about how we can make our teams better with coaching changes, through the NFL Draft, and especially by adding established players in free agency. We’re here to help you with your imagination. We’ve polled our experts across SB Nation to rank their top free agents at every position heading into the offseason. Then we averaged those rankings to give you a consensus ranking for each position group. What we ended up with were list after list of great information. On this page, we have just the rankings, but if you click the position group, you’ll get mini scouting reports on every player — hundreds in total — plus you’ll see players who were released between the start of the offseason and the start of free agency. When a player signs a new deal, we’ll cross them out here and add the info to the individual articles. It’s time to daydream.

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