Eagles named most likely destination for prized free agent

If there is one team in the NFL that isn’t afraid to make a move for a respected veteran, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles.

Over the past several seasons, we’ve seen them acquire star wide receiver A.J. Brown by trading first and third-round picks to the Tennessee Titans, as well as acquiring cornerback Darius Slay from the Detroit Lions. The Eagles also made a mid-season trade in 2023 that brought in safety Kevin Byard for the remainder of the season. Now, they are the best fit to land another veteran safety who is currently on the free agent market.

Three-time All-Pro safety Justin Simmons remains a free agent. And according to Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports , the Eagles are the team that make the most sense to give him a deal.

“It's the one that makes too much sense,” Benjamin wrote. “Simmons was "close" to joining the Eagles in free agency before Philly opted for a reunion with the younger Gardner-Johnson, per James Palmer, and Simmons has gone on record praising the Birds' hire of former Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, the club's new defensive coordinator. While Gardner-Johnson is locked into a starting job, the Eagles could also feature him in the slot, where rookie Cooper DeJean is also interchangeable. Simmons would be a luxury here, but he'd also afford the team more patience with younger counterparts like DeJean, Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown. And general manager Howie Roseman hasn't been afraid to get splashy while reloading the Eagles for a hopeful title bid.”

This would be a move that is right up the wheelhouse of Howie Roseman. With the Eagles’ defense still having to work out some kinks, perhaps Simmons finds his way to Philadelphia.