Philadelphia Eagles fans are squarely focused on making sure this year's team advances one game further than the squad Jalen Hurts piloted to a Super Bowl loss one season ago. In sharp contrast, the organization's front office is already making plans on how the roster will be shaped for years to come.
The team has done an excellent job of future-proofing their roster with high-end young players. Jalen Carter looks like a potential superstar at defensive tackle. Nolan Smith has flashed star potential at linebacker. Young receiver DeVonta Smith gives Hurts a high-quality young receiver to build around on the offensive side of the ball.
The organization should be braced for some big-name veterans to leave Philadelphia sooner rather than later. The following four players won't still be on the roster when the 2024 season concludes.
4. Darius Slay isn't part of the Eagles' long-term future
Slay raised some eyebrows when he inked a three-year, $42 million new contract with the Eagles prior to the start of the 2023 season. That kind of term is unusual for a cornerback who is already 32 years old.
In reality, the Eagles preserved the ability to get out of the deal after the end of the 2024 season without assuming a prohibitive dead cap hit. It's possible that Philadelphia will work to shed his hefty salary even sooner. Slay is still a good starter, but it's easy to envision a scenario where he experiences a sharp age-related decline this year.
Slay's place on the roster and depth chart largely hinges on rookie Kelee Ringo's development. If he finds a way to show this coaching staff he's ready to be a starter in 2024 then Slay becomes surplus to requirements. It's a situation worth monitoring in Philadelphia.
3. Jason Kelce will likely retire from the Eagles sooner than later
The Eagles' starting center may not be dating Taylor Swift but he's still an excellent football player. It's still unreasonable to expect the 35-year-old offensive lineman to anchor the team's offensive line for much longer.
Kelce is already showing slight signs of slippage. He's never been a road grader up front but he's starting to become overwhelmed by mammoth defensive tackles in a way that hasn't shown up on his previous film. His PFF average of 72.4 through five games accurately depicts him as a good, but not great, starter.
The veteran's current contract also contains an easy out for the organization after this season. Retirement is a distinct possibility for Kelce. If the Eagles do manage to win a Super Bowl title it's very likely Kelce will elect to ride off in the proverbial sunset with another championship ring on his hand.
Interestingly, center is one spot where the Eagles don't have a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings for a big-name veteran. A replacement for Kelce will need to be secured via free agency or a modest draft pick. It's a concern for the front office but there's no reason to panic.
2. Haason Reddick could possibly have run his course with the Eagles
Landing Reddick with a three-year, $45 million deal was a clever acquisition for the Eagles in free agency. Including an out after the 2023 season only makes it a better deal for the team.
The 29-year-old edge rusher has a well-earned reputation as a sack artist but he's done an excellent job of rounding out his game in recent seasons. The challenge for Reddick will be to remain his trademark burst off the perimeter as he enters his 30s.
The Eagles will be happy to hang on to him if he remains a double-digit sack guy, but they're very prepared to cut ties with him if his performance falls off. The aforementioned Nolan Smith is learning from Reddick now and possesses the same kind of speed off the edge. Philadelphia hopes he's ready to take his mentor's job by the time the 2024 season kicks off.
Betting against Reddick comes with a lot of risk, but Father Time is undefeated in the NFL. If he loses a step the Eagles will cut him and spend his salary elsewhere. The odds are stacked against him still being on the Philadelphia roster when the 2024 season comes to a close.
1. Fletcher Cox could see his legendary Eagles career close soon
It feels like Cox has been anchoring the inside of the Eagles defense since Randall Cunningham was piloting the team's offense. He isn't that old in reality, but the former Mississippi State star is currently playing his age-32 season.
Like Kelce, careful observers can spot some age-related regression in Cox's game. He's not quite the same disruptor he was back in his prime. He's still a good starter, but losing anything else could make him a replacement-level defensive tackle in a hurry.
Spending a first-round pick on Jalen Carter in last year's draft wasn't just a value play by the Eagles' front office. It was succession planning. He's going to take over Cox's starting spot the moment he shows the consistency required to be a defensive star at the pro level. That might happen before the current season ends.
Cox has been a great player for the Eagles for a long time, but his days in Philadelphia are numbered. He's an expensive veteran who isn't performing like a star any longer. That's a recipe for Cox to get cut after the conclusion of the 2023 campaign.
