Jason Kelce Credits Howie Roseman’s Salary Cap Genius as Offseason Moves Transform Eagles Roster

Jason Kelce may not be with the Eagles, or in the NFL, anymore but that doesn’t mean he’s not keeping a tab on whatever’s going on there. And last year, the Eagles Super Bowl dreams ended in the Wild Card Round itself. Following that, in the offseason and during free agency, Philly has made a lot of key personnel changes.

In a recent episode of his podcast, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce lavished praise on Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman for his masterful management of the team’s offseason, which included securing key player contracts. Kelce’s admiration for Roseman’s acumen was palpable as he discussed the GM’s knack for navigating the complexities of the NFL salary cap and player contracts.

Jason Kelce gives props to GM Howie Roseman

“Yeah, man. It’s Howie season. This is what Howie does better than I think, I mean, I’m biased, but anybody else at finalizing the situation of the cap, what players are, first of all, do in real life, but then also what is gonna be their cap hit,” Kelce stated, highlighting Roseman’s strategic prowess. The Eagles star emphasized that under Roseman’s guidance, the team has never really suffered from cap issues. “The Eagles are so good at moving that around and avoiding the salary cap from really ever being an issue,” revealed Kelce.

The Eagles made a strategic move by securing DeVonta Smith’s future with the team, picking up his fifth-year option while also locking him down with a three-year, $75 million extension that extends through the 2028 season. This arrangement effectively turns into a four-year, $91 million commitment. Beyond Smith, the Eagles proactively extended contracts for several key players including left guard Landon Dickerson, left tackle Jordan Mailata, safety Reed Blankenship, and kicker Jake Elliott, ensuring stability in their lineup well ahead of schedule.

Jason Kelce’s enthusiastic endorsement not only reflects his confidence in the Eagles’ management but also underscores the team’s strategic approach to maintaining a competitive edge through financial and operational agility. In a recent presser, Howie had revealed his strategy going forward.

Roseman’s plan to make the Eagles a force to be reckoned with

Roseman has a distinct strategy when it comes to building the team. He believes in using free agency to meet immediate needs and the draft to bring in top talent, regardless of position. This approach allows the team to be flexible and select the best players available during the draft. Roseman explained, “What we try to do to the best of our abilities is go into the draft trying to fill as many needs as we possibly can through free agency, so we can be open to the best players in the Draft.”

This strategy aims to address pressing team needs ahead of the draft, which allows the Eagles to focus on drafting the most talented players available, rather than filling specific roles. This method has proven effective during Roseman’s time with the Eagles, enabling the team to bring in players who may not start immediately but have significant potential for long-term success. This thoughtful approach to team building continues to shape the Eagles’ roster strategically, ensuring that each draft pick is a step towards a stronger, more competitive squad.

However, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Only once the 2024 season is underway will we get to know if the strategy truly works.