The “Big Three” of New Jersey NFL teams have been making some eye-opening free agency moves. The Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and New York Jets are all looking like different teams.
Flying South
To start, the Eagles have lost Jaelen Phillips, their star edge rusher, to the Carolina Panthers after a lost bidding war. They’ve also lost Reed Blankenship to the Texans, who was an excellent complement to their 3rd year cornerback Cooper DeJean. According to USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/03/14/reed-blankenship-texans-eagles-nfl-free-agency/89153250007/, Blankenship left because of a feeling of being “wanted” by the Texans that he never felt on the Eagles. These losses are going to give teams a better chance to take advantage of Philly’s declining defense. Ever since their historic 2022 season, their defense has deteriorated, and it may be at its worst in a long time. The Birds’ defense is going to have to figure it out because their offense is already experiencing internal problems.
On the upside, they did sign speedy corner Riq Woolen, who has been solid for the Seahawks and very fast for his 6’4”, 200-pound frame. Corners have been a weakness for Philly, so it was a good choice to get after him. I do not see a very bright near future for the Eagles. Their losses, lack of signings, and the situation with Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown are making them look weak. For context, WR A.J. Brown has been difficult to manage due to the offensive shift from passing to running, which was triggered by Saquon Barkley’s breakout last season, despite a dip in the run offense this season. Hopefully, they can make do with what they have.
Same Old Jets
The New York Jets are a mess of a franchise, there’s no doubt. No matter the high draft pick or the new flashy QB, the season hasn’t climbed over 7-10 since 2015. They keep trying to build a strong defense first and then add little offensive pieces, but it’s not working, and management hasn’t changed their approach. It doesn’t look much different this year.
The Jets have lost their star guard, Alijah Vera-Tucker, to the Patriots and Quincy Williams to Cleveland. It’s not like Williams was going to stay; he already lost his brother, Quinnen Williams, to Dallas earlier in the 2025 season, so it was like a done deal.
Long-time captain of the New Orleans Saints, Demario Davis, is joining the linebacker core of NY at 37 years old. What this brings to the team, I’m not sure. But it’s nice to have a veteran leader at the very least. The Jets are also adding defensive line pieces, like DT David Onyemata and edge rushers Kingsley Enagbare and Joseph Ossai. The largest signing was probably the addition of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who has been a quiet superstar in the league for a while now.
There isn’t much to say about the Jets right now. They kept Aaron Glenn at the HC spot, so it’s hard to expect any change for next season. One upside from all of this is that they have 75 million dollars in cap space, so I predict that they’re going to get after somebody big. My choice for them would be Russell Wilson or Jauan Jennings, something that adds a pulse to their offense. I think these are the best moves for them, but I’m not sure if they’re really going to go after these kinds of guys. It seems the Jets are kind of lying back this offseason. It would be interesting to watch, nonetheless. Good luck, NY.
Giant Steps Forward
The Giants probably have the most upside out of the “Big Three,” but they’ve lost some core players for sure. The addition of John Harbaugh as head coach for the NYG has been huge, and key Baltimore players have been moving to the Big Apple to play for their legendary coach. The best so far have been tight end Isaiah Likely and star FB Patrick Ricard. LB Tremaine Edmunds proved to be another solid signing for Chicago; although he has declined since his prime, he performed reliably until the Bears released him. Same story for a newer signing in Darnell Mooney, a WR who most recently was released by the Falcons but had his best years in Chicago.
The Ravens players gained by New York have been game-changing—literally. Isaiah Likely, TE, is the biggest headline because of his success for the Ravens at only 25 years old. Some key players, such as Ar’Darius Washington, DB, and Pro Bowl fullback Patrick Ricard, are filling the remaining holes.
The losses have been significant, though, as 4 key players were lost to Tennessee alone. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Daniel Bellinger, TE, Cor’Dale Flott, CB, and Austin Schlottmann, C, all chased Brian Daboll. (If you didn’t know, Brian Daboll is the former HC of NYG and the current OC of the Titans.)
n In my opinion, it’s good that those losses happened. As good as Daboll might have been or is, he was immature as a head coach, and the fact that those players are following him means a new, better team identity is coming.
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