The first wave of the 2023 NFL free agency process has begun, with the Eagles quietly retooling their roster by restocking homegrown talent.
The new league year began Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, meaning free-agent signings could be made official afterward, and Philadelphia had seven key contributors land lucrative deals elsewhere on the open market.
The Eagles retained six of their own free agents while adding three new players, including former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota who reached an agreement early Friday morning on a one-year, $5 million deal worth up to $8 million.
With the second week of the free agency set to begin, here’s a breakdown of every Philadelphia move made during the first wave.
Retained Darius Slay
The Eagles initially planned to release cornerback Darius Slay, but by Wednesday evening, the Pro Bowl cornerback agreed to a three-year, $42 million extension that includes $23 million fully guaranteed.
At worst, it’s a two-year deal, with Slay having one year remaining on the three-year, $50 million deal he signed in 2020, and it keeps the top cornerback duo in the league together.
Eagles re-signed Brett Toth
Days after releasing Toth, Philadelphia signed the former Army offensive tackle to a one-year deal.
Toth has appeared in 17 games (one start) since joining the Eagles in 2019 out of the United States Military Academy and will provide added versatility to the league’s top unit.
Eagles re-signed Brandon Graham
Graham had interest from the Browns but took less money to return to the Eagles on a one-year deal.
A rotational pass rusher who’ll provide tremendous leadership, Grham returned on a one-year deal.
Jason Kelce returns
Kelce returned on a one-year, $14.25 million deal, and the All-Pro gives Philadelphia the best center in the game.
The return also means Cam Jurgens will see significant time at right guard.
Eagles sign Rashaad Penny
After Miles Sanders said goodbye to the city, Philadelphia signed former Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny to a one-year deal.
Penny, 27, averaged 5.7 yards per attempt during his five seasons in Seattle and can be a homerun hitter for the Eagles if he can stay healthy.
Eagles re-sign Boston Scott
Scott returned to Philadelphia on a one-year, $2 million deal and will resume his change-of-pace role in Nick Sirianni’s offense.
Eagles re-sign James Bradberry
A talented cornerback, Bradberry is returning on a three-year deal worth $38 million, including $20 million fully guaranteed and another $6 million in incentives.
Even after losing five other defenders, the Eagles retain a crucial player in Bradberry, named second-team All-Pro this past season after posting 17 passes defended and three interceptions.
Eagles re-sign Fletcher Cox
Cox returned on a one-year, $10 million deal, giving Philadelphia another homegrown veteran to help lead the retool.
The 32-year-old Cox will return in a reduced role, assuming 40% of the snaps in a rotation with Jordan Davis and Milton Williams.
Eagles sign Greedy Williams
Looking to add talent to the cornerback depth, Philadelphia is taking a chance on former second-round pick Greedy Williams.
Williams will compete with Zech McPhearson and Josh Jobe for the No. 3 cornerback role on the outside, and he’s a special teams dynamo, logging a carer-high 115 special teams snaps last season for Cleveland.
Eagles sign Marcus Mariota
With Gardner Minshew following Shane Steichen to Indianapolis, Philadelphia pounced and quickly added Mariota as the new backup quarterback.
Mariota gets a one-year, $5 million deal that could be worth $8 million, and the Eagles get a quarterback capable of running the RPO offense.
