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Not all NFL offseasons are created equal.
If you go back to last year, the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t have to face a lot of tough decisions. It was pretty clear that some key role players (Trey Burton, Beau Allen, etc.) would be leaving in free agency. The NFL Draft was going to be relatively uneventful as the Eagles only had five picks to work with. And with the Super Bowl honeymoon in effect, I think it’s safe to say people generally cared about the offseason a little less than usual.
That’s not the case this year. The Eagles have a LOT of big decisions to make this offseason. Decisions that won’t just impact the 2019 season, but even beyond that.
The next several months are going to be very interesting for the Eagles. Here’s a look at the questions Howie Roseman, Joe Douglas, and Doug Pederson will need to answer.
QUARTERBACK
WHAT WE KNOW
Doug Pederson committed to Carson Wentz as the team’s starting quarterback during his Tuesday press conference. He’s not going anywhere.
QUESTIONS
Now that Wentz is eligible for a contract extension, will the Eagles try to sign him to a long-term deal? Or will his injuries give the team pause about making a big financial commitment this offseason?
Can the Eagles find a way to trade Nick Foles? Will Foles opt out of his $20 million option for 2019 if the Eagles pick it up? Will the Eagles have to use the franchise to potentially trade him? Or will the Eagles be fine with him simply leaving in free agency?
Do the Eagles believe Nate Sudfeld is ready to be Wentz’s backup? At what level will the Eagles tender Sudfeld as a restricted free agent? Are they willing to go as high as the second-round tender, which will cost more money, but protect him from potentially being poached?
Should the Eagles draft a developmental quarterback to groom behind Wentz and Sudfeld? Keep in mind Sudfeld will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2019 season.
RUNNING BACK
WHAT WE KNOW
Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, Boston Scott, and Donnel Pumphrey are under contract for 2019.
QUESTIONS
How many of those aforementioned backs are capable of contributing in 2019?
Is Jay Ajayi, who is coming off an ACL tear, worth bringing back on a one-year prove it deal?
Is Darren Sproles going to retire?
Can the Eagles finally draft a good lead running back?
WIDE RECEIVER
WHAT WE KNOW
Alshon Jeffery is under contract through 2021. He’s a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver for this team.
QUESTIONS
Is Nelson Agholor really worth his $9.4 million cap hit in 2019? Should the Eagles sign him to a long-term extension?
Is Golden Tate going to be re-signed after the Eagles traded a third-round pick for him and Howie Roseman called the trade a “success”?
Is it worth bringing 32-year-old Mike Wallace back on a deal close to the vet minimum?
Should the Eagles try to re-sign Jordan Matthews, who had some nice moments as a role player?
Can the Eagles find a legitimate deep threat? (DeSean Jackson might be available?)
Is there still hope for 2017 draft picks Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson after they did virtually nothing in 2018?
Can one of the long shot receivers like Braxton Miller turn into anything?
TIGHT END
WHAT WE KNOW
Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert are studs.
QUESTIONS
Is Richard Rodgers worth bringing back as a third tight end?
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
WHAT WE KNOW
Lane Johnson is arguably the best right tackle in the league.
QUESTIONS
Is 37-year-old Jason Peters going to retire? If not, would the Eagles really cut a guy who said he’s best friends with team owner Jeffrey Lurie?
If Peters is gone, how do the Eagles replace him? Is Halapoulivaati Vaitai really a viable starting left tackle?
Can the Eagles count on Jordan Mailata turning into anything? Was his impressive 2018 preseason a mirage or a serious sign of potential?
Is Matt Pryor in the mix at tackle or is he seen as a guard?
OFFENSIVE GUARD
WHAT WE KNOW
Brandon Brooks is one of the best guards in the league. Isaac Seumalo looks like a serviceable starter, at least.
QUESTIONS
Is Brooks truly going to be healthy after the six-to-eight month recovery period he put out there?
Is Stefen Wisniewski going to demand a trade after being benched?
Is Chance Warmack, who is set to be a free agent, inexplicably going to be overpaid to be retained as a player who doesn’t even play?
CENTER
WHAT WE KNOW
Jason Kelce is arguably the best center in the NFL.
QUESTIONS
Is Kelce going to retire?
If Kelce does retire, who starts at center? Does Seumalo move there or is it Wisniewski?
Should the Eagles draft an interior lineman to prepare for life without Kelce?
DEFENSIVE END
WHAT WE KNOW
2017 first-round pick Derek Barnett has shown potential and is under contract through 2020. He’s still only 22 years old.
QUESTIONS
Can the Eagles afford to re-sign Super Bowl hero Brandon Graham? Will he take somewhat of a hometown discount?
Will the Eagles do anything with Michael Bennett? He’s under contract through 2020 but there’s no more guaranteed money left in the 33-year-old’s deal.
Is Chris Long going to retire? He gave thought to it last year.
Can the Eagles count on Josh Sweat to stay healthy and turn into anything?
Is Joe Ostman anything more than a practice squad player?
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
WHAT WE KNOW
Fletcher Cox, who only turned 28 in December, is still an absolute a beast.
QUESTIONS
Can the Eagles get Timmy Jernigan to take a pay cut since his 2019 cap number is $13 million but there are no guarantees left in his deal?
Is Haloti Ngata going to retire?
Can the Eagles count on playoff hero Treyvon Hester as a No. 3 defensive tackle behind the top two starters?
Can the Eagles capitalize on a 2019 NFL Draft class that Howie Roseman called “historically great” when it comes to defensive linemen?
LINEBACKER
WHAT WE KNOW
Nigel Bradham is bound to be back in 2019. He’s only missed two games in three seasons with Philadelphia and none of them have been due to injury. The Eagles rested him in a meaningless Week 17 game in 2017 and he was suspended for the first game of 2018.
QUESTIONS
Is Jordan Hicks going to leave in free agency? Will the Eagles be able to bring him back on a one-year prove it deal?
If the Eagles don’t bring Hicks back, who will be the their second linebacker alongside Bradham?
Can Kamu Grugier-Hill and/or Nathan Gerry be counted on as full-time starters?
CORNERBACK
WHAT WE KNOW
The Eagles don’t lack youth at corner.
QUESTIONS
Who are the starting outside cornerbacks for 2019?
Is Ronald Darby going to get a big deal in free agency? Is he even worth bringing back with younger and less expensive internal options available to the Eagles?
Is Jalen Mills, a Jim Schwartz favorite, going to resume his role as a starter?
Does Rasul Douglas deserve a starting role after playing well down the stretch?
Where does Avonte Maddox fit in? Should be starting on the outside? Should he be moved to safety?
Did Cre’Von LeBlanc win the 2019 starting nickel corner job with how he played late in the season?
How does Sidney Jones fit into this team’s future after a disappointing 2018 campaign? Can he stay healthy after playing in just 10 out of 37 possible games so far?
Will we ever truly know who Josh Hawkins is?
SAFETY
WHAT WE KNOW
Malcolm Jenkins is fantastic and extremely durable.
QUESTIONS
Is Rodney McLeod worth his $9.9 million cap number in 2019?
Is Corey Graham going to retire? Is Maddox able to take over his old role as the No. 3 safety?
Are Tre Sullivan and Deiondre’ Hall anything more than backups/special teams players?
Is Chris Maragos, who will be a free agent, going to retire?
SPECIAL TEAMS
WHAT WE KNOW
The Eagles are set at kicker (Jake Elliott), punter (Cameron Johnston), and Rick Lovato (long snapper). Lovato is a free agent but re-signing him should be a simple negotiation.
QUESTIONS
If Sproles isn’t back, what’s the plan at punt returner?
Can the Eagles find a kick returner who is at least remotely threatening to the other team?
COACHING STAFF
WHAT WE KNOW
Doug Pederson said defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, offensive coordinator Mike Groh, and special teams coach Dave Fipp will all be back in 2019.
QUESTIONS
Can the Eagles bring in some kind of offensive consultant to help give the team some new ideas?
Should the Eagles replace wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer since players seemingly had a lot of issues with lining up in the right places in 2018?
Will the Eagles lose quarterbacks coach Press Taylor to the Bengals, where his brother Zac is expected to be named head coach?
Will Colts head coach Frank Reich go after Eagles assistant offensive line coach Eugene Chung after moving on from Indy’s 2018 o-line coach?
So, yeah, it’s going to be a busy offseason.