Philadelphia Eagles lose Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, Reed Blankenship in NFL free agency, reports say
The Philadelphia Eagles lost three defensive starters to free agency as the NFL's legal tampering period opened Monday.
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is heading to the Carolina Panthers, linebacker Nakobe Dean is signing with the Las Vegas Raiders and safety Reed Blankenship is joining the Houston Texans, according to multiple reports. Dean and Blankenship were both with the Eagles during two Super Bowl runs, including the win against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 season.
The Panthers and Phillips agreed to a four-year, $120 million contract, according to ESPN and The Athletic. Phillips will get $80 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.
The Eagles were reportedly interested in re-signing Phillips, but ultimately, the 26-year-old is leaving Philadelphia.
Phillips was acquired from the Miami Dolphins for a 2026 third-round draft pick before last season's trade deadline.
He recorded two sacks with seven quarterback hits, 34 pressures, four TFLs and a forced fumble and fumble recovery in eight regular-season games with the Birds. He was selected as an alternate for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games.
After the season ended, Dean said he wanted to return to Philadelphia, but that was unlikely when the team drafted Jihaad Campbell in the first round of 2025 NFL draft and signed linebacker Zack Baun to a long-term deal.
The Raiders and Dean agreed to a three-year deal worth $36 million, including $20 guaranteed, according to NFL Network.
Dean was drafted by the Eagles in the third-round of the 2022 NFL draft and developed into of the better linebackers in the league when healthy. Injuries kept him off the field throughout his four seasons in Philadelphia, including 2025 as he recovered from a torn patellar tendon suffered in the playoffs during the Eagles' Super Bowl run.
In 10 games in the 2025 season, Dean recorded 55 tackles, four sacks and two forced fumbles. His best year came in 2024, when he had 128 tackles in 15 games. He also had three sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
In the secondary, the Eagles lost Blankenship, who signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal with the Texans, according to NFL Network. The contract reportedly includes $16.5 million guaranteed.
Blankenship went from an undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee State in 2022 to starter and team captain. He played in a total of 56 games over four seasons in Philadelphia, including 50 starts.
In four seasons, Blankenship recorded 308 tackles, nine interceptions and 23 pass deflections.
On the offensive side of the ball, former Eagles wideout Jahan Dotson is signing a two-year, $15 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Eagles acquired Dotson in a trade with the Washington Commanders before the 2024 season, and he served as Philadelphia's No. 3 wideout for two years.
The NFL's legal tampering period began at noon on Monday. Teams and free agents can negotiate during this period, but contracts cannot become official until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Over the weekend, the Eagles signed defensive tackle Jordan Davis to a three-year contract extension worth a reported $78 million. Davis enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, setting career highs in tackles (70), tackles for loss (9) and sacks (4 1/2).
Defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo are also eligible for contract extensions this offseason.
Eagles free agents
With the legal tampering period open, here are the Eagles' unrestricted free agents.
Offense
- Tight end Grant Calcaterra
- RB AJ Dillon
- TE Dallas Goedert
- TE Kylen Granson
- QB Sam Howell
- OT Fred Johnson
- OL Matt Pryor
- OL Brett Toth
- FB Ben VanSumeren
Defense
- LB Nakobe Dean
- S Marcus Epps
- DE Brandon Graham
- CB Adoree' Jackson
- LB Azeez Ojulari
- DE Ogbo Okoronkwo
- LB Joshua Uche
Special teams
- P Branden Mann