The Philadelphia Eagles just won the Super Bowl, and it's not much of a surprise, considering they have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL - including one notorious former Colt. But with the season officially over, most teams will be looking forward to free agency, and how they can best bolster their chances of making the playoffs next season. Free agency is a double-edged sword; teams can gain new talent, but they also face the possibility of losing talent, too.
This will be an especially big issue for the Eagles; every team in the league will undoubtedly be looking towards Philadelphia to see who they can take to strengthen their rosters. And to be clear, there is plenty of good options to consider when it comes to free agents in Philly.
Here are a few the Colts can - and should - consider signing.
Avonte Maddox, cornerback
Avonte Maddox. Benched. Coaches up the youngsters. Comes back and Makes a HUGE play in the Super Bowl. Love to see it. #Eagles #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/0w76Mb6aZx
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) February 10, 2025
Maddox could give much-needed depth at the CB position for the Colts. While the Colts have talented cornerbacks, like Kenny Moore II and Jaylon Jones, it's not nearly enough. Juju Brents, drafted in 2023, was supposed to help at this position, and he had a decent rookie season indicating potential as he grows and learns in the NFL. But then he spent the entirety of 2024 on injured reserve, bringing into question if he is reliable enough.
When he's healthy, though, Maddox is easily one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He's a bit older, so he likely won't cost much, and he can not only provide depth, but guidance and wisdom to the younger players on the Colts defense.
Isaiah Rodgers, cornerback
the first 3rd down is when I knew we were about to see something from the Eagles defense.
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) February 10, 2025
everything from the presnap look (Blakenship, not Baun, walking out with the RB) to the coverage across the board (especially Isaiah Rodgers #34 on Brown) to Mahomes not getting an angle. https://t.co/KbfcsLUku4 pic.twitter.com/n8qsOicaFa
Talk about a controversial option. Rodgers notoriously rebounded with the Eagles after he was waived by the Colts following a gambling controversy. In 2023, he was found to have place bets on an estimated 100 games, including his own, and was suspended for a year. The Eagles took a chance on signing him, even though he wouldn't be available to play until the 2024 season, and that gamble paid off. Serving as a backup to Darius Slay, Rodgers started several games in the regular season, and made big plays in both the playoffs and in the Super Bowl.
However, Rodgers is a free agent this year. Should the Colts even consider signing him again? He would reinvigorate the defense with a much-needed infusion of talent, but that may not be enough to get past all the bad blood between Rodgers and the Colts. And they'd likely have to fight Philadelphia to get him; while it's still too early to tell for sure, it's assumed they want to keep him, and see Rodgers as the eventual successor to Darius Slay whenever he decides to retire.
Josh Sweat, defensive edge
JOSH SWEAT SACK YESSIRRR!@SweatyJ_9 | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/P0Qr2UYUP9
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 3, 2024
Josh Sweat's agent better be prepared, because after that incredible performance in the Super Bowl, he's about to be ridiculously in demand. In addition to his six tackes, he had 2.5 sacks and six quarterback pressures.
It's possible that the Eagles will try to hold onto Sweat - even likely - but general manager Chris Ballard should make a serious effort to poach him away. The Colts need a strong edge rusher who can be a leader; Laiatu Latu shows a lot of promise, but is still young, Kwity Paye is decent but not spectacular, and Dayo Odeyingbo is a free agent that many are expecting to leave Indianapolis. The Colts will desperately need a weapon as powerful and explosive as Sweat, and they should do everything they can to get him.