How Howie Roseman and Jeffrey Lurie Engineered the Eagles’ Star-Studded Roster
The Philadelphia Eagles continue to dominate the NFL landscape, consistently retaining top talent while adding new stars—all without suffering a financial meltdown. The mastermind behind it all? Howie Roseman, a General Manager who has revolutionized cap management, aced the NFL draft and routinely fleeces other teams in trades.
Cap Genius: Keeping Stars Without Breaking the Bank
Roseman has mastered the use of signing bonuses, void years, and back-loaded contracts, allowing the Eagles to keep key players while staying financially flexible. Owner Jeffrey Lurie’s willingness to invest upfront cash has only amplified Roseman’s ability to construct an all-star-studded roster.
His latest moves prove it:
- Zack Baun Re-Signing (2025) – The Eagles locked down their All-Pro linebacker on a three-year, $51 million deal with $34 million guaranteed after a dominant season that included 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.
- Saquon Barkley Extension (2025) – Barkley signed a two-year, $41.2 million deal, with $36 million guaranteed and up to $15 million in incentives. This not only solidifies Barkley as a top playmaker in Philadelphia’s offense until 2028 but also cuts his cap hit in half from $13.5 million dollars to $6.8 million dollars.
Drafting Elite Talent Year After Year
While cap manipulation keeps the Eagles competitive, Roseman’s draft-day magic keeps them ahead of the curve. He consistently finds impact players outside the top 5, including:
- Jalen Carter (DT, 9th overall, 2023) – One of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, a steal after slipping due to off-field concerns.
- Quinyon Mitchell (CB, 22nd overall, 2024) – A lockdown corner who was the cornerstone of the Eagles’ secondary from day one.
- Cooper DeJean (CB, 50th overall, 2nd round, 2024) – An incredible 1st-round talent value pick, providing elite versatility at corner and safety.
- Jalen Hurts (QB, 53rd overall, 2nd round, 2020) – Initially questioned, but now a Super Bowl-winning / MVP, franchise QB, proving Roseman’s ability to think ahead of the league.
Fleecing Other GMs in Trades
Roseman has a knack for winning trades, often acquiring stars for pennies on the dollar. Some of his most lopsided moves include:
- A.J. Brown for a mid-first-round pick (2022) – Now one of the league’s best wide receivers.
- Darius Slay for a pair of late-rounders (2020) – Became a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense.
- An inter-divisional trade with the Dallas Cowboys (2021) – The Cowboys’ 10th overall pick for the Eagles’ 12th and 84th overall picks – 10th overall was used to select Heisman Trophy winner WR Devonta Smith from the University of Alabama.
The Bottom Line
Howie Roseman isn’t just a generational GM—he’s changing how teams operate. His salary cap mastery, draft acumen, and ability to win trades have kept the Philadelphia Eagles among the league’s elite while others struggle to keep up. Love him or hate him, one thing is clear. Howie Roseman is playing chess while the rest of the league plays checkers.
I am a 22-year-old senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, currently completing my first semester of senior year with an expected graduation in December of 2025. I am pursuing a double major in Sports Law and Finance, along with a minor in Marketing. My lifelong passion for the NFL fuels from a young age as it has been a dream since childhood to become an NFLPA-certified players agent, and while I appreciate every aspect of the National Football League, I am especially devoted to the Philadelphia Eagles.