The Linc

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …

10 takeaways from the first week of 2025 NFL free agency – PFF
The Eagles have let several key contributors walk, but that’s OK. After winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl, the Eagles had some decisions to make in the offseason. They let several key players walk in free agency, including Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Mekhi Becton, Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Isaiah Rodgers and Oren Burks, while also trading Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to the Texans. That sounds like a lot. But the Eagles are built to survive such high-volume departures. Williams can be replaced by Moro Ojomo, who came on late last season and earned an 89.5 PFF overall grade in the Super Bowl. Jalyx Hunt started to see an increased role late in the year and could be a very capable replacement for Sweat. And we all saw what the Eagles’ rookie cornerbacks accomplished last season to know they are in good hands despite losing their veteran options. General manager Howie Roseman has built his roster to allow the Eagles to reload for next season rather than rebuild.

Eagles’ player development will be the key to keeping their Super Bowl window open – BGN
There’s no doubt defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deserves the lion’s share of the credit for the improvement in the defense, and former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and head coach Nick Sirianni also must receive their bouquets, too. And the most important aspect of player development lies within the player himself, to be coachable, hard-working, and diligent. All are immensely talented, and that should not be forgotten. But for the Philadelphia Eagles in the Sirianni/Jalen Hurts era, this is the way. When you’ve run out of cap space and cash on hand to go high on the hog on veteran stars in free agency or trades, you have to draft well, shop in the bargain bin, and then develop those players. Over the last three years, the Eagles have done a magnificent job doing both.

NFL free agency: Eagles sign former New York Giant Azeez Ojulari – Big Blue View
Ojulari has been a disruptive pass rusher whenever he’s been on the field, but he has also proved to be a liability as a run defender. His injury concerns were born out and his rookie year was his last healthy season. That is likely why Ojulari only signed a one-year deal with the Eagles when he was projected to sign a relatively rich multi-year deal.

Eagles Add Ojulari – Iggles Blitz
Ojulari checks both boxes. The Giants drafted him out of Georgia back in 2021. Joking aside, this is a smart signing. Ojulari piled up 22 sacks over the past four years, including 6 last season. He has okay size at 6-3, 240. He won’t turn 25 until June so he’s in the prime of his career. And Ojulari should be fired up to show what he can do on a one-year prove-it deal. He will be very motivated. The Eagles can have Nolan Smith and Josh Uche on one side and then Jalyx Hunt and Ojulari on the other side. That’s just a guess on my part. They can mix and match to find the right combos. The key is that you have four guys who can all get to the QB. Patrick Johnson offers more depth and STs ability. The wild card is Bryce Huff. Is there a spot for him in this group? Ojulari does have 30 career starts. He’s not just a situational rusher like Uche. Ojulari has 37 QB hits in 46 career games. He is disruptive and affects the QB.

Eagles film review: Azeez Ojulari has the upside to boost Birds’ edge-rusher rotation, but can he reach it? – Inquirer
While there are plenty of high-level reps included here, Ojulari’s inability to reach his full potential four years into his career can be explained mostly by injuries and, to a lesser degree, a lack of consistency. Ojulari has missed time in each of the last three seasons, making his rookie year the only full season he’s managed since getting taken in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He was used primarily as a designated pass-rusher with the Giants as well, playing just 189 snaps against the run compared to 202 against the pass and dropping into coverage on just six of those snaps, according to PFF. For every productive rush Ojulari had last season, there were also examples where his initial burst off the line of scrimmage didn’t stress opposing tackles enough and he struggled to consistently work a secondary move to break free.

4 takeaways on Lane Johnson’s one-year contract extension with the Eagles – PhillyVoice
The longer Johnson plays at an elite level, the more he seemingly wants to keep going. Johnson is 34. He turns 35 in May. He just had one of the best seasons of his stellar career, and he said at the end of the season that his body felt good. We can probably trust him on that, as he has been forthright at other times during his career about nagging injuries, notably the ankle injury he suffered during the 2018 season that bothered him for years. Jason Peters and Andrew Whitworth played into their 40’s, and Trent Williams, who turns 37 in July, is still playing at a high level. Johnson is every bit the player and athletic freak of nature as any of those guys. Hell, I can confidently say with no hyperbole whatsoever that he’s one of the best offensive tackles in NFL history. If he doesn’t suffer any kind of serious injury, there’s little reason to doubt that he can keep playing at a high level for three more seasons.

’I’ve got a lot left in the tank’: Joshua Uche’s ready to compete in Eagles’ defense – PE.com
“The stars aligned, and I feel like this is where God called me to be.” A young and hungry Joshua Uche met with the Philadelphia media virtually for the first time on Monday afternoon after officially signing his one-year deal at the NovaCare Complex. The outside linebacker came to Philadelphia as a free agent after spending part of the 2024 season with the Chiefs. Uche was traded to Kansas City from the Patriots in October after spending the first four and a half years of his career in New England. Despite limited playing time on defense in the six games he played with the Chiefs, Uche is just two seasons removed from his career-high 11.5 sack season with the Patriots in 2022. Now with a change of scenery, the sixth-year player is looking to get back to the success he has shown on the field. “Being 26 years old, I’ve got a lot left in the tank,” Uche said. “It just comes down to opportunity and getting on the field doing my job. Whenever I’m on the field I’ve been effective, I’ve been efficient, so it’s just all about getting on the field and doing my job.” According to Pro Football Focus, Uche has a pressure rate of 16.7 percent since 2022, which ranks sixth among edge defenders in the NFL.

Laremy Tunsil Presser: Jayden Daniels is a baller and he’s going to make my job hella easy – Hogs Haven
A hot topic of conversation all offseason had been what Adam Peters would do to enhance the Washington Commanders offensive line ahead of the 2025 season. A week ago, we all learned the answer when the NFL world was stunned by the announcement of a trade between the Commanders and Texans that would bring one of the best left tackles in the NFL, Laremy Tunsil, to Washington for a handful of picks. The trade was made official on Saturday, and the Commanders new LT spoke to the media today. Tunsil talked about the trade from the Texans to the Commanders, and how it was different from when Miami moved him. It was business for Houston as they wanted to get younger, and they’ve made a lot of changes this offseason. Tunsil will move from blocking for C.J. Stroud to blocking for Jayden Daniels, and he’s ready for his new QB to make his “job hella easy”.

2025 NFL free agency: Experts debate best, worst signings – ESPN
Eric Moody, fantasy football writer: The Commanders signing defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw. The three-year, $45 million contract was surprising, considering the depth of the 2025 draft class at defensive line. The $30 million in guaranteed money is also concerning because of Kinlaw’s health and statistical production. He has played in just 58 games since being drafted in 2020, with only 9.5 sacks and 74 pressures. […] Ben Solak, NFL analyst: The Commanders signing Kinlaw. It is a big overpay, though it’s not surprising why it happened. Commanders general manager Adam Peters drafted Kinlaw with the 49ers, and he remains one of the most physically impressive defensive tackles. Dan Quinn’s defense is a good fit for his skill set, too — simple, upfield responsibilities. But $15 million per year is a huge number for a player who hasn’t strung together consistent, starting-caliber play.

How the Ja’Marr Chase deal could affect the Cowboys offseason plans – Blogging The Boys
Last year, the front office waited until the last minute to finalize deals with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. It’s puzzling to many that they continue to do business this way. With the Chase deal done, Trey Hendrickson remains the only player who could potentially surpass his teammate as the highest-paid player who does not play quarterback. However, Hendrickson is not on the same level as Parsons, despite leading the league in sacks in 2024. Parsons is a younger player with his prime right in front of him. The asking price for the Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher could exceed $40.5 million a year.

Live Updates: Houston Texans Free Agency Tracker + Trades – Battle Red Blog
TEXANS FIND BACKUP CB IN RONALD DARBY: Houston brings in journeyman CB Ronald Darby on a one-year, $2.5M contract, per Adam Schefter. Darby has spent time with six other franchises, never more than two years in one place. Corner was among the biggest depth concerns on the defense and now they have a short-term solution behind Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr.

NFL free agency 2025: The best deals on defensive players (so far) – SB Nation
Super Bowl winners aren’t based entirely on superstars; they’re created by filling all the holes on their rosters intelligently and with the right money allotted to the right talent. As much as the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles had it going on with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, the best offensive line in football, and a host of first-line defensive talent, there were as many guys like Zack Baun, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract to be part of the show. Vic Fangio saw enough in Baun to expand his role, and Baun responded with an All-Pro season that netted him a fat three-year, $51 million contract this year. So, when you’re looking to fill out your roster in the hopes of making it to next season’s Super Bowl, it behooves you to strike as many ridiculous bargains as possible. Based on the contracts that have already been drawn up in the 2025 free-agency space, here are the best bargains on the defensive side of the ball – the potential difference-makers whose contracts barely made a dent in the salary cap.