Eagles stay or go: Jason Kelce, these veterans, underperformers could be leaving

PHILADELPHIA − Who would have thought the Eagles' offseason would begin Tuesday, with a plethora of changes to come?

That's what happens when an Eagles' season that begins 10-1 devolves into a 1-6 nightmare, culminating with the 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the playoffs Monday night.

There were going to be changes anyway, even if the Eagles had gotten back to the Super Bowl this season. After all, the Eagles have several veterans in the final year of their contracts and several who underperformed and could end up getting released.

And there will certainly be changes on the coaching staff, too.

Here, then, is a positional look at key players, and whether they should stay or go in 2024:

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Quarterback

Jalen Hurts: In many ways, Hurts regressed from last season. But he's 25 years old and his five-year, $255 million extension kicks in next season. It's up to whoever is coaching the Eagles next season, whether it's Nick Sirianni or someone else, to maximize Hurts' talent, or at least get him back to where he was last season. STAY

Marcus Mariota: He signed a one-year deal last spring. Mariota played only 44 snaps, and the Eagles can sign someone else who's cheaper. And no, rookie Tanner McKee is not ready for the backup job. GO

Running back

D'Andre Swift: He is eligible for free agency, and the Eagles don't pay for running backs. They let Miles Sanders go after the 2022 season when he had a career-high 1,269 yards. They'll let Swift go after a career-high 1,049 yards. They can find Swift's replacement in the draft or free agency. GO

Kenny Gainwell: It's fascinating as to what the Eagles see in him. But he's still on his rookie deal. As long as he's not the main back, he can help in third-down situations. STAY

Boston Scott, Rashaad Penny: They contributed little this season. The Eagles might be more inclined to keep Penny over Scott. GO

Wide receiver

AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith: Of course, they're staying. Brown has surpassed 1,400 yards in each of his two seasons, and Smith has gone over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. Smith will be eligible for an extension, and the Eagles will have to pay him in the $25 million per year range. STAY

Quez Watkins: He's eligible for free agency. As much as the Eagles value his speed, they need a third receiver who can catch the ball when he breaks free. The Eagles can either draft one or sign a free agent. GO

Julio Jones: He was a great receiver, but at 34, he's not that anymore. GO

Olamide Zaccheaus: He's eligible for free agency. But if the Eagles can re-sign him relatively cheaply, they should. STAY

Tight end

Dallas Goedert: Goedert spent time on injured reserve for the second straight season. But he's still among the top tight ends in the NFL. STAY

Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra, Albert Okwuegbunam: They contribute little in the passing game, but Stoll is a good blocker and Calcaterra is good on special teams. The Eagles traded for Okwuegbunam, so he'll probably get another chance. STAY

Offensive line

Jason Kelce: While Kelce hasn't officially made up his mind on retirement, it seems clear that he is leaning toward retiring after 13 seasons in a Hall of Fame career. The Eagles drafted Cam Jurgens in 2021 to be his replacement. The Eagles drafted Tyler Steen in the third round last spring and cross-trained him at right guard. The succession plan is in place. GO (sadly)

Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata: All are signed long-term, and all are at the top of their games. STAY

Jack Driscoll, Sua Opeta: Both are free agents who will likely get offers for more money elsewhere. The Eagles will have to replace their depth, but they do have Steen on his rookie deal and Fred Johnson under contract. GO

Defensive line

Fletcher Cox: One of the all-time great Eagles defensive tackles. But Cox is 33, and he's three seasons removed from his last Pro Bowl season. The Eagles have kept Cox on one-year deals at less money the last two offseasons. Cox might not be willing to do that again. GO

Brandon Graham: Another all-time great. BG said he'd like to play one more year as an Eagle, then retire. But he's 35, and he had just three sacks. The Eagles need to get younger at defensive end, either in the draft or free agency. GO

Haason Reddick: He's entering the final year of his three-year, $45 million deal, and he hinted last summer that he feels underpaid. Reddick could be a candidate for a restructure, with another guaranteed year added on. It's hard to argue with Reddick's production. He's had at least 11 sacks in four straight seasons. STAY

Josh Sweat, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, Nolan Smith: This is the young core of the Eagles' defensive line. All but Sweat are on their rookie deals. STAY

Marlon Tuipulotu: He's eligible for free agency, and the Eagles drafted Moro Ojomo in the seventh round last season for added depth. GO

Linebacker

Nakobe Dean: He represents what went wrong for the Eagles this season. They drafted him in the third round in 2022 and expected him to take over for departing free agents T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White. But Dean played just five games this season and spent two separate stints on injured reserve with a foot injury. The Eagles need him to stay healthy and produce. STAY

Zach Cunningham, Nicholas Morrow, Shaq Leonard: These were patch-work players signed to one-year deals who were exposed by opposing offenses. The Eagles should let them all go, spend for a better free agent and draft somebody too. GO

Cornerback

Darius Slay: He just turned 33 years old, and he had arthroscopic knee surgery. But Slay is still the best cornerback on the roster, so he's coming back. But he'll need help. STAY

James Bradberry: He played poorly down the stretch, and was losing playing time to Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks with Slay's return against the Bucs. There's no way both Slay and Bradberry are returning. Slay is better and the Eagles can release Bradberry with a $4 million dead money hit if they designate him a post-June 1 cut. GO

Avonte Maddox: Maddox has one year left on his contract, but he has missed multiple games for injury in five of his six seasons. Keep in mind that the Eagles signed Isaiah Rodgers after the Colts released him when he was suspended for the season for gambling. GO

Bradley Roby: The Eagles signed him in October as a fill-in for Maddox. He didn't do a good job. GO

Zech McPhearson: He missed the season with a torn Achilles, and he's eligible for free agency. The Eagles could keep McPhearson, a special teams ace, on a one-year prove-it deal. STAY

Safety

Kevin Byard: The Eagles traded for Byard mid-season when injuries decimated the position. Byard played almost every snap, but he wasn't at the Pro Bowl level earlier in his career. At 31, the Eagles can release Byard and save $13 million on the cap. GO

Justin Evans: Evans, a low-cost free agent, won a starting spot in training camp. But he was lost for the season with a knee injury coming early on. GO

Reed Blakenship, Sydney Brown: Blankenship had made himself into a starting safety, and Brown, a third-round pick, was on his way to doing the same before a torn ACL suffered against the Giants. He likely won't be ready for the start of the season. The Eagles will either have to spend for a free agent, or draft one early. STAY

Specialists

Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Rick Lovato: Mann was signed early in the season and set a team record in gross punting average (49.8) and net punting average (43.9). Elliott made a team record 93.8% of his field goals. Lovato is a good long snapper. STAY

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles stay or go: Jason Kelce, key veterans could be leaving