Eagles linked to star tight end as NFL free agency looms

Eagles fans have spent most of the offseason worrying about AJ Brown rumors or what the offensive line might look like in 2026, but the biggest question mark on this offense might actually be sitting right in the middle of the formation.

The tight end room.

Dallas Goedert is set to hit free agency, and behind him, there’s no real long-term answer currently on the roster. Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson are also free agents, meaning the Eagles could realistically be entering next season without a single proven tight end under contract. For an offense that relies heavily on the middle of the field in both the passing game and run blocking scheme, that’s not exactly ideal.

Which brings us to a very interesting prediction from USA Today.

Eagles Predicted to Target Kyle Pitts if Dallas Goedert Walks

The #Eagles are predicted to sign TE Kyle Pitts in free agency, via @USAToday👀

"Pitts is exactly the kind of underperforming talent the Eagles like to take a chance on. He's just 25 years old and can be an explosive threat from the tight end position.”

Hurts x Pitts📈 pic.twitter.com/bmPWGkp6yh

— SleeperEagles (@SleeperEagles) February 18, 2026

USA Today’s Ayrton Ostly recently predicted that the Eagles could make a move for Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts if Goedert ends up leaving in free agency, and honestly, it makes a ton of sense when you think about it.

Pitts is exactly the kind of player this front office has historically taken swings on. A former elite prospect who maybe hasn’t fully lived up to expectations, but still has all the tools in the world to become a game-changing weapon in the right offense.

And coming off his 2025 season, it’s not like Pitts is some reclamation project either. He hauled in 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games last year. He’s also just 25 years old, meaning the Eagles wouldn’t just be filling a short-term hole. They’d potentially be locking in a long-term answer at a position that suddenly has none.

From a pure football standpoint, getting younger and more dynamic at tight end would do wonders for this Eagles offense. Pitts has the ability to stretch the seam in a way few tight ends in the league can, which would open up even more space underneath for guys like DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown to operate.

But of course, this is where things get tricky.

The Eagles aren’t operating with unlimited cap space, and any move for Pitts would likely come with a pretty hefty price tag. At the same time, the front office has other major financial decisions looming, including what to do with Jalen Carter and a potential long-term extension.

There’s also the reality that Dallas Goedert reportedly wants to return to Philadelphia. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Goedert took a pay cut last year to stay with the Eagles and would be open to coming back again if everything lines up.

Still, even if Goedert does return, the Eagles are going to need more at the position moving forward. It was honestly surprising they didn’t invest more heavily in a successor last offseason knowing this exact situation could be on the horizon.

Now, they might be forced to address it head on.

Whether that means bringing Goedert back or taking a swing on someone like Kyle Pitts, one thing is clear. The Eagles can’t afford to leave this offseason without a real plan at tight end.