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The Philadelphia Eagles had a magical run to the Super Bowl during the 2022-23 NFL season.
And with star players such as Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown and Devonta Smith locked down long-term, there’s reason to believe it could be more than a one-off appearance.
But there will have to be roster sacrifices in the coming years due to the salary cap and Hurts’ soon-to-be huge contract extension.
The first of those cap causalities was former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Hargrave took his talents across the country to the San Francisco 49ers.
Then star running back Miles Sanders signed a deal in free agency with the Carolina Panthers, while Philadelphia pivoted and signed for Seattle Seahawks back Rashaad Penny.
It appeared for a while as if Pro Bowl corner Darius Slay would be another addition to that list after he was given permission to seek a trade. There were even reports that Philly had cut Slay. But the two sides eventually reversed course and found a new deal to keep Slay in Philadelphia.
But every decision comes with consequences, and this one was no different.
While Slay will be back in Philly next season, the Eagles did lose a major part of their shutdown secondary in free agency.
Former Eagles’ safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson reached agreement tonight with the Detroit Lions, per source.
The top remaining defensive free agent is off the board. pic.twitter.com/Wl0BoQKrmx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 20, 2023
Star safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Detroit Lions. Gardner-Johnson had the best year of his career in 2022, pulling in six interceptions despite missing time with a lacerated kidney.
Eagles reporters soon revealed that Gardner-Johnson may have overplayed his hand.
I’m told Eagles made CJ Gardner Johnson competitive offer at start of free agency. He did not accept
I’m told he thought his offers would be bigger out there. Eagles went about signing other key players: James Bradberry. Redo Darius Slay. Now CJ has to take 1 year deal pic.twitter.com/NlvZksIvEd
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) March 20, 2023
Philly fans, however, weren’t exactly sure how to feel.
Should’ve stayed https://t.co/nx2J8AYOsn pic.twitter.com/f3Ikb5CXs3
— philly (@PhillupJFryy) March 20, 2023
I’m sorry but 😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/w14wflJkG5 pic.twitter.com/iPoOw03D26
— Sarcastic Lovest ♊️🇱🇷👩🏾🎓 (@lovestdiomande) March 20, 2023
I’m sorry but 😭😭😭😭 https://t.co/w14wflJkG5 pic.twitter.com/iPoOw03D26
— Sarcastic Lovest ♊️🇱🇷👩🏾🎓 (@lovestdiomande) March 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/phillysportsszn/status/1637634915184328705
Many have already moved on to planning who the Eagles should sign as a replacement.
Kevin Byard time
— Philly Nation (@Philly__Nation) March 20, 2023
Okay so….. if Titans cut Byard? #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/dfY8A37pew
— All About The Birds (@AATBirds) March 20, 2023
Adrian Amos is a player to watch for the #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 20, 2023
Philadelphia was always going to have to part ways with some of its roster. But all in all, general manager Howie Roseman kept one of the league’s top rosters together. Philly fans can’t be too unhappy with that.