Eagles Found a Gem in Free Agency to Replace $76 Million Edge Rusher
The Philadelphia Eagles seem to have uncovered a winning strategy in free agency that they’re aiming to replicate again in 2025 — a savvy, cost-effective method of finding overlooked talent, akin to digging up diamonds in the rough.
In 2024, the Eagles hit the jackpot by signing linebacker Zack Baun to a modest one-year, $1.6 million deal. Baun blossomed into an All-Pro and Super Bowl champion, eventually securing a three-year, $51 million contract in the offseason.
According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, Josh Uche, a 2025 free agent pickup, could be the next under-the-radar success story. Uche, who notched 11.5 sacks with the New England Patriots in 2022, signed with the Eagles for just $1.92 million on a one-year deal on March 13.
He’s expected to fill the shoes of Josh Sweat — a key pass rusher and Super Bowl standout for the Eagles — who signed a four-year, $76.4 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals on March 10.
“Philadelphia took some intriguing low-budget swings this offseason,” Sando wrote on April 3. “They brought in Uche and Azeez Ojulari for the pass rush, Kenyon Green for the offensive line, and A.J. Dillon in the backfield. They found gold with Baun last year — maybe one of these guys is next.”
Midway through the 2024 season, the Patriots traded Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick.
Uche’s 2022 Standout Year
Originally a second-round pick (No. 60 overall) by the Patriots in the 2020 NFL Draft, Uche made his mark at Michigan with 8.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in 2019.
Although he served mainly as a rotational player in New England, Uche had a breakout campaign in 2022, collecting 11.5 sacks across 15 games despite not starting any and playing just 33% of defensive snaps. His production dipped in 2023 and 2024, combining for only 7.0 sacks over both seasons.
Philadelphia may offer Uche his first real shot at being a full-time starter — he has just four starts across 64 career games so far.
Elite Interior Line Gives Eagles’ Edge Rushers a Boost
Any edge rusher joining the Eagles has a major advantage: lining up next to All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter. With Carter anchoring the line, opponents often can’t afford to double-team anyone else, making life easier for edge rushers.
Carter, still just entering his third NFL season, is already a Super Bowl champ and one of the league’s most dominant defenders. He was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 draft and is already being projected for a massive contract extension.
“PROJECTION: #Eagles star defensive lineman Jalen Carter is projected to sign a 4-YEAR, $168 MILLION CONTRACT extension when he is eligible next offseason,” MLFootball posted on X on March 23. “Carter is only 23 years old and is already a Super Bowl Champion, All-Pro & Pro Bowler. It will be a historic deal.”
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