On Tuesday the Eagles traded Safety CJ Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans for Guard Kenyon Green and a 2026 pick swap, sending shockwaves across Philadelphia. CJGJ was considered a perfect fit for the city, with his high-octane, hard-hitting style of play; yet Howie Roseman reminded the world that football is a business. But what is his next move, and what ripple effects with this big free agency splash have?
ADIEU, MEKHI BECTON
The Eagles need to address right guard, and the options are re-signing last year’s starter Mekhi Becton, letting him walk and giving Tyler Steen a shot, or find a new player entirely – whether via the draft or free agency. Crucially, this trade includes the latter: Kenyon Green.
Green ranks among PFF’s worst linemen in the NFL, getting benched last year despite his first round pedigree and a woeful offensive line in Houston. Consequently, the same description suits 2023-24 Mekhi Becton: a former first round pick who could not figure it out in New York. Kenyon Green is about to enroll in Stoutland University, which boasts such esteemed alumni as Jordan Mailata, Brandon Brooks, Fred Johnson, Isaac Seumalo, and of course Mr. Becton himself.
And hey, Green may still lose the job to Tyler Steen. Through Week 7 Steen had allowed zero sacks on 58 pass-blocking snaps, and is currently considered one of the best backup guards in the NFL. He and Green are both just 24 years old, so regardless of who gets the start, the team has added valuable depth in a position of need – and for a discount.
But no matter how you cut it, Roseman and Stoutland have made their decision on Mekhi Becton.
GOING, GOING, GONE-DERT
If the fading memory of Becton crying as Midnight Green confetti rained on him and his son after Super Bowl LIX isn’t enough to break your spirit, Dallas Goedert could be next out the door.
The signs are there: Darius Slay and Gardner-Johnson are gone as the front office looks for savings while ushering in the next generation of young (affordable) talent in Kelee Ringo, Sydney Brown, and the sophomore superstars Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. These moves also create space for upcoming contract extensions for Jalen Carter, Cam Jurgens, and potentially both Reed Blankenship and Jordan Davis. For a team about to pay so many guys, a secondary built on rookie contracts is a game-changer.
Howie Roseman’s money-saving campaign is bad news for Dallas Goedert for one reason: the NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the star Eagle, this year’s class is ripe at Goedert’s position. While free agency is a dead zone for tight ends, the draft presents teams with an opportunity to grab a young star who won’t cost much for the next 4-5 years.
There is also the chance Goedert sees himself extended, given the relative affordability of tight ends and his impact on the offense. But if the Eagles draft at Goedert’s position, expect it to be the heir apparent.
MALAKI STARKS, YOU ARE A PHILADELPHIA EAGLE
Speaking of the draft, the trade of CJGJ means another thing: the Eagles will select Georgia Safety Malaki Starks in the first round. Howie isn’t going to look to free agency to address safety if he was already unwilling to pay his proven starter a measly $8.5 million (by NFL standards, of course – I’d kill for like $100). Instead, his addiction to Bulldogs will surely relapse, assuming Starks falls to 32.
At the risk of proving Darius Slay’s point, the trading of Gardner-Johnson to save $8.5 million in cash indicates the Eagles can afford to lose his talents. Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme is far more dependent on long, athletic defensive ends and linebackers than safeties. And like Goedert’s poor timing, CJGJ finds himself at the wrong end of a budgetary decision in a draft year ripe with safety talent.
R-E-L-A-X. RELAX.
Why shouldn’t you care about these departures? With Mekhi Becton’s impending release, the Eagles will have 21 picks in the next two drafts – 11 of which are in the first two rounds.
Howie Roseman is not a man who makes decisions based on the upcoming season; he plans for long-term implications, staying a step ahead at every phase of general management. So while we can mourn our favorites leaving for greener pastures, Howie has positioned the Eagles to bounce back better than ever. This team can stomach some soon-to-be record-breaking contracts because of its impressive stockpiling of future draft assets that will help balance the check book for years to come.
Or maybe I’m wrong, and the wheels fall off! Football is a fun game.
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