The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to lose linebacker Nakobe Dean in the 2026 NFL free agency, according to experts. However, the team hasn’t entirely ruled out re-signing him. If Dean doesn’t get the offers he expects, the Eagles have asked him to return for further negotiations.
“Nakobe Dean and his agency were told to ‘come back’ to the Eagles if the market isn’t as expected,” NFL reporter Thomas R. Petersen noted on X. “They want him back, but he will still test free agency.”
Analysts generally believe Dean will secure a strong contract with another team, though his history of injuries leaves open the possibility he might need a “prove-it” deal, which could bring the Eagles back into contention. In 2025, Dean recorded 55 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and one pass defended.
Injuries have been a recurring issue for Dean. He had a pectoral injury before the 2022 draft, which contributed to him slipping to the third round. A Lisfranc injury in 2023 limited him to just five games, and a patellar tendon tear in the 2024 wild card round threatened his career. Still, he returned in October 2025 and played 11 of the team’s final 13 games.
At 25, Dean still has high potential, but teams must weigh the risk associated with his injury history. Daniel Popper of The Athletic described Dean as “one of the best blitzing linebackers in the league” with a 35.7% pressure rate on 28 pass-rushing snaps, though he noted Dean’s smaller size limits his run defense. Popper values him around $40 million for four years, while Spotrac estimates $31.5 million.
Despite reports suggesting Dean is “as good as gone,” the Eagles’ attempt to bring him back to the negotiating table could pay off if he doesn’t receive the high-profile offer he’s seeking. While he’ll likely sign elsewhere, there’s still a small chance Philadelphia could re-sign him.