With NFL free agency underway, the Eagles face the tough task of keeping their Super Bowl-winning team together. They are set to lose defensive tackle Milton Williams and defensive end Josh Sweat, two big pieces of their championship defense. Cornerback Isiah Rodgers and linebacker Oren Burks are also on the move while GM Howie Roseman has urged patience from the fans. The Eagles did make one major move though. Zack Baun, who they acquired in free agency last year, has re-signed on a three-year, $51 million contract. And now it appears, Philadelphia may yet see the return of another key asset from last season.

As the green and white confetti confetti rained down at the Caesars Superdome, many Eagles players were overcome with emotion. With his young son in his lap wearing a shirt featuring his father’s No. 77, Mekhi Becton gazed upward in gratitude and astonishment as tears streamed down his face. Prior to coming to Philadelphia, his time at the New York Jets was filled with injuries criticism, and a sense of dissociation from the franchise. But having signed a one-year deal with the Eagles, he revitalized his career and is now looking to cash in, just like Baun.

With the free agency market now open, the future of Becton is up in the air. Eagles reporter Tim McManus noted that there has “not been significant movement” towards a new deal between the two parties. As such there is a possibility that Becton might hit the open market on Wednesday. But few reports point to a positive development, at least from Becton’s end.

On Monday, ML Football tweeted, “Free agent guard Mekhi Becton would like to return to the #Eagles, sources familiar with his situation tell @_MLFootball. Becton is willing to take a discount to stay in Philly but still wants to be paid what he has earned.” This update coincides with what Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline mentioned in his report at the end of last month.

“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,” Pauline noted. It looks like Becton is keen on a return to the team that helped him resurrect his career and it makes sense.

Coming on the back of a disappointing four seasons with the Jets, he signed a one-year $2.75 million deal with the Eagles last March and placed his trust in Jeff Stoutland. The Eagles OL coach made him switch from left tackle to right guard, a position he had never played before.

“He’s helped me out a lot. Support goes a long way,” Becton said of Stoutland. “If you support somebody and give them love, they’ll do whatever they ask.”

Slowly and steadily he made the position his own, earning a starting job. He started 15 of 17 games during the regular season and four more games in the playoffs. He became a key part of an offensive line that allowed Saquon Barkley to become the all-time single-season rushing leader, including playoffs.

Having been shunned by the Jets and his struggle with injuries, the Super Bowl win was a remarkable moment for the 11th overall pick in the 2020 draft.

“Just everything. Everything I’ve been through. Not even in my football career, just in my life. It all just finally hit at that one time. I had my son in my arms, and that’s when it hit,” Becton said about the moment it dawned on him what he achieved with the Eagles. He has more than earned the $2.75 million the Eagles paid him last year and might be looking for a bump in any new deal. If the Eagles hesitate, there is interest in Becton’s services.

According to Pauline, “I’m told that teams are looking at Becton as a guard primarily, but who can make a move to tackle if need be.” Becton only has a $10.2 million annual value per Sportrac, which might not deter his suitors, if the Eagles cannot reach an agreement.

Right now, it would make sense for Nick Sirianni and Roseman to re-sign Becton, given that he was instrumental arguably having the most dominant rushing season of all time.

At the start of the free agency period, the Eagles are sitting at 24th in the NFL, with little over $22.6 million in available salary cap. Having already signed Barkley to a 2-year, $41.2 million contract extension and followed it up with a deal for Baun, their options of creating further room in the salary cap are limited.

While the Eagles may think offering Becton is a workable deal, when it comes to Dallas Goedert, the Eagles are not so sure about the TE’s future with the team.

Is Dallas Goedert’s time with the Eagles coming to an end?

TE Dallas Goedert has been a key weapon for Philly for seven seasons now. The South Dakota State alum is entering the final year of his current four-year, $57 million contract. This is the point where players demand extensions with the team. “Dallas Goedert, rightfully so, wants a new contract. I think that is safe to say no player wants to go into the final year of his deal without a new contract,” said Eliot Shorr-Parks, host of the Go Birds podcast.

But it looks like Philly, instead of offering an extension, is now considering trading its seven-year-tenured TE. Goedert recorded 42 receptions, racking up just 496 yards and two TDs to his name in the Super Bowl-winning season. This is the 30-year-old’s second-lowest season in his seven-year career.

NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported that the Eagles are trying to trade Goedert in exchange for a 4th-round draft pick. “Teams around the league know Dallas Goedert is available in trade, and the Eagles are willing to move him. Feels more and more like Goedert’s time with the Eagles is coming to an end,” noted Eliot. 

The possible reason for Philly deciding to move on from Goedert is his struggle with injuries during the past few seasons. The TE has missed more than 15 games because of injuries since 2021. And he has also hit the 30 mark, which means Philly might not want to spend more on him. So instead of offering him an extension, they might look elsewhere.

Sadly, the Super Bowl might have been the last game Dallas donned an Eagles uniform. Now it must be time for him to find a new home after spending seven years in Philadelphia. But if you have to leave, you might as well be happy it’s with a ring, eh?