Action on the Way?

June 1st is an important date in the NFL. Teams can now push costs to the next year and save money. That’s crucial for teams with little cap space, like say…the Eagles. June 1st gives them flexibility. It gives them some financial freedom.

It gives them options.

Jimmy Bama and Mike Kaye each wrote good pieces on the Eagles and what would be happening.

Jimmy

Mike

Here is what we know will happen. Malik Jackson and Alshon Jeffery will officially become ex-Eagles. As Jimmy pointed out, Jackson has already signed with the Browns. Jeffery will be on the open market. It will be interesting to see if anyone goes after him or if he stays on the market for a while.

We are 99 percent sure Zach Ertz is gone, either via trade or cut. The only reason I didn’t say 100 percent is that he’s still on the roster and I didn’t expect him to last this long. I just can’t see a way he can come back. It would be great if the Eagles could get something for him, but since teams know he’s likely to be cut they may just wait the Eagles out.

Jimmy has the info on the Eagles signing their draft picks. That should happen shortly. They needed to wait for June 1st to have cap room to sign their guys.

Will the Eagles be making any moves to acquire players?

We know CB still looks unsettled. The coaches like Zech McPhearson. Do they like him enough to count on him to start as a rookie? If not, the Eagles could still use help. We know Steven Nelson is still out there and is itching to sign. He’s been out of the Eagles price range, but that changes with June 1st coming up.

As Jimmy pointed out, there is also the possibility of other veterans getting cut. Teams have had a chance to study their rosters and decide which veterans they like and which might be expendable. If teams do make cuts, the Eagles can now take a serious look at those guys.

CB aside, there are two potentially big targets available right now, Julio Jones and Deshaun Watson. The Eagles have been reported to have some interest in both of them.

Jones has been an elite receiver for a long time. He would be fun to see in midnight green. But the move doesn’t make sense. Jones is 32 and missed seven games last year. He is at a point where age will start catching up with him.

The Eagles want to compete in 2021, but know that the future is more important than the present. This roster isn’t built to win big right now. A year from now, Jones might make sense. I can’t see that giving up a pick and dealing with Jones salary is worth it for this team.

The only argument for him is that giving a young QB like Jalen Hurts a proven receiver like Jones could seriously aid in his development. The Eagles like DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Travis Fulgham, but those guys are unknowns. Jones is a proven commodity. He would help Hurts. I just don’t know if that’s enough to invest a pick and big money in him.

Watson remains a total mystery because of his personal situation. Will there be criminal charges? Will the civil situation get resolved? Does Houston want him to play this year?

On paper, going for Watson makes total sense. Reality is very different. His baggage may mean teams won’t have interest based on the cost to get him. And you know you would always be on pins and needles, waiting for some other story to come out.

I don’t see the Eagles making a splashy move. If they can find a veteran CB at the right price, that would be the way to go for now.

Howie Roseman is aggressive and isn’t afraid to take chances so never say never. I think Howie understands this isn’t a normal year and he’s got to fight his urges to make moves, but the fact the Eagles are even exploring the options tells you Howie is at least curious about the costs.

Let’s hope he trusts the old quote that discretion is the better part of valor.

Next year should be different.

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