How did the Eagles get to this point? A three-part series as Training Camp nears. Today: NFL Free Agency.

In their multi-part strategy to build for a bigger, better (if possible, after winning Super Bowl LIX) roster for the 2025 season, the Eagles understood their positioning when the Free Agency signing period began in March: They would have to be selective with their long-term commitments, having already started the process of taking care of their own players on the roster (link to story on first part of free agency), knowing they had a bunch of draft picks lined up for both the '25 NFL Draft and the one in 2026, and having a talent-laden locker room, many of whom with long-term contracts already in place and a young wave with a need to be addressed in the near future.

A fantastic situation to have, but one that required a specific approach in Free Agency.

"If you look at our Drafts from 2022 to 2024, we had eight starters in the Super Bowl from those Drafts and zero of them have long-term contracts," said Howie Roseman, the team's Executive Vice President/General Manager, in March. The Eagles extended one of those starters, Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens, a month later. "As we stand right now, we have 20 picks in the 2025 and 2026 Drafts. So, we are going to need some of those roster spots for younger players. We're trying to balance having the best possible team we can have this year and also acknowledging that there is a transition with the middle to back of our roster and that we are going to have some younger players here."

With that in mind, the Eagles went into Free Agency with an aggressive mindset, but also one that sought players with talent, a lot to prove, and a willing to bet on themselves. They signed more than a dozen players in the initial wave of Free Agency before the NFL Draft weekend in late April, all of them on one-year contracts. The team also anticipated correctly that they would lose some players in Free Agency and, indeed, standouts like defensive end Josh Sweat (Arizona) and defensive tackle Milton Williams (New England) signed elsewhere.

The Eagles also released cornerback Darius "Big Play" Slay and traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and added all up, the Eagles had some work to do in Free Agency.

So, they went to work.

"It opens up tremendous opportunity for the success of our football team," Roseman said. "We want to always increase the talent and depth of our football team. Through whatever avenue we can, we're going to work this roster. We've lost some talented players and we're working hard to replace the talent that has moved on."

In a well-planned and smartly executed span of only a few weeks, the Eagles added edge players Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Patrick Johnson, and reached out for cornerback Adoree' Jackson to add to the back end of the defense. They bolstered the offensive backfield with the signing of running back A.J. Dillon. They added competition at tight end with Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson. They continued to bring in talent to the offensive line room, signing Kendall Lamm and Matt Pryor and trading for Kenyon Green. Avery Williams, a weapon on offense and special teams, joined the Eagles in Free Agency. For the first time in nearly a decade, the team has a new long snapper in Charley Hughlett, formerly with Cleveland.

The work is never finished in Roseman's world, but Free Agency provided an opportunity to add to the roster's foundation with veteran players who have a lot to prove.

"I feel like I'm a versatile player. I'm a physical guy, I don't shy away from any type of contact. I'm an attack-first type of mentality guy. I can set the edge, I can tackle, I can rush the passer, and I can bend. I feel like I can do it all," said Ojulari, who remains in the NFC East after playing for the Giants. "Just try to do my job when I get out there on the field. Whatever happens, happens – just trying to do it to the best of my abilities. When you make those plays, it's always exciting. I'm excited to be here now and make plays with the Eagles and try to win games."

Same with Uche, who only a few seasons ago recorded a career-high 11.5 quarterback sacks playing with New England. He's here to make it work, still as a young player, with the Eagles and maybe, just maybe, follow the path of linebacker Zack Baun, who in 2024 signed a one-year contract as an unrestricted free agent and then became a first-team All-Pro player in the Super Bowl-winning season.

"Being 26 years old, I've got a lot left in the tank," Uche said. "It just comes down to opportunity and getting on the field doing my job. Whenever I'm on the field, I've been effective, I've been efficient, so it's just all about getting on the field and doing my job."

And that's what Free Agency represented for the Eagles and the players they brought in – an opportunity to join an already-strong team, a winning culture with a top-notch coaching staff, and get back to the top of their games.

It was a busy time, a successful several weeks and one strategic in nature that the Eagles executed according to plan.

Part 1 of the series: Taking care of their own

Part 3 of the series: The 2025 NFL Draft coming Sunday, July 13