Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman understands better than anyone in the NFL how to handle contract negotiations at the right time. Roseman has one contract extension that he may need to address soon.
Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine named the one player each team needs to re-sign. Ballentine named linebacker Nakobe Dean that guy for the Eagles.
"Off-ball linebacker has not typically been a position Howie Roseman has prioritized in the past, but that might be changing. The Eagles paid to keep Zack Baun around, giving him a three-year, $51 million extension this offseason. Now, they'll have to make a choice about Nakobe Dean.
The 24-year-old broke out with 128 tackles, nine TFL and three sacks in his first full season as a starter. Unfortunately, he also tore his patellar tendon and is starting the season on the PUP list.
Dean's injury history is likely to be baked into his free-agent price anyway. It would make a lot of sense to keep him and Baun as the backbone of the defense."
When will Dean's deal get done for Philadelphia?
Dean isn't the only contract Roseman has to worry about re-signing on defense. He's also got to think about Reed Blankenship, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis in the next couple of seasons.
It would be good to look into Dean, as he is coming off a breakout 2024 season for the Eagles. He finished with 128 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, three sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one interception in 15 games.
The problem with Dean right now is that he is injured and recovering from the torn patellar tendon he hurt during the Green Bay Packers' NFC Wild Card game. Dean is at least making good progress, as he has been seen running on the practice field doing sprints before training camp workouts.
Durability has been a concern with Dean, as he missed all but five games in the 2023 season due to his Lisfranc injury in his foot. Philly is hoping they can get Dean back for the beginning of the regular season, but it's unknown whether he will be ready to go.
Dean is in the final year of his four-year rookie contract, so this is a make-or-break year for him. Prior to Roseman's work with Zack Baun, he hasn't been known for re-signing linebackers and usually letting them walk in free agent.
With Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and rookie first-round pick Jihaad Campbell playing well in Dean's absence, it will be tougher for Roseman to decide whether to re-sign him. Don't expect a deal to get done until after the season.
