Eagles lose Phillips, Dean, Blankenship on Day 1 of free agency

Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles had one of the better defenses in football. 

However, on the first day of free agency on Monday, the Eagles lost three key defensive players.

Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips has agreed to a four-year, $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers with $80 million in guarantees, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Last season, the Eagles acquired Phillips from the Dolphins in November in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick.

In 2025, the 26-year-old Phillips had five sacks. The Panthers gave Phillips, who has been injury-prone, a lot of money, and there was no way Philadelphia was going to give him that type of contract.

LB Nakobe Dean signed with the Oakland Raiders. According to Schefter, it’s a three-year, $36 million deal.

Last season, Dean returned from a ruptured patellar tendon and had another solid year. 

In 10 games, the 25-year-old had 55 tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. 

The four-year veteran, who was a third-round pick of the Eagles in 2022, is a very good linebacker, but the Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell, and once that happened, you knew Dean’s time with Philadelphia would come to an end at some point.

Safety Reed Blankenship is also on the move after signing with the Texans. Blankenship signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal, according to Schefter. 

Last season, the 27-year-old had 53 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. 

Blankenship, who signed with the Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2022, was a valuable member of the secondary, but like Dean, it’s not surprising that he signed elsewhere.

Finally, wide receiver Jahan Dotson signed with the Atlanta Falcons. According to Schefter, it’s a two-year deal worth up to $17 million, including $10 million fully guaranteed.

Last season, the 25-year-old Dotson, who was acquired by the Eagles in 2024 from the Commanders, had 18 catches for 262 yards and a touchdown. In two seasons with the Eagles, the fourth-year wide receiver had 37 catches for 478 yards and one touchdown.

Again, losing Dotson is not surprising. 

Players can agree to terms on Monday at 12 pm ET; however, deals cannot be signed until Wednesday at 4 pm ET.