This was coming, and we all knew it.

The Eagles lost some key players in free agency, including T.J. Edwards (Chicago Bears), Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers), CJ Gardner Johnson (Detroit Lions) and Isaac Seumalo (Pittsburgh Steelers).

Others are Miles Sanders (Carolina Panthers), Andre Dillard (Tennessee Titans), Marcus Epps (Las Vegas Raiders) and Gardner Minshew (Indianapolis Colts).

Some were big losses from the Super Bowl run, and others not so much. Gardner Johnson was one of the free agents I really wanted to see return because safety is such an important position to have, so stability there would have been great.

Also, the Eagles don’t necessarily have a great history there. Could the Eagles finally select a safety in the first round? I don’t see it, but mainly because getting one that early in the draft would be a reach.

The Eagles signed safety Justin Evans, but that’s not going to replace Gardner Johnson. There’s still a lot more to do at safety.

Losing White and Edwards left a hole at linebacker, but luckily the Eagles added help Tuesday. They’ve agreed to a one-year deal with Nicholas Morrow, who has 46 career starts for the Raiders and Bears. He started all 17 games with the Bears last season. Morrow, who is the most experienced linebacker on the roster (as of now), made 116 tackles, including 11 for loss. 

The Eagles signed Marcus Mariota, Rashaad Penny and Greedy Williams. The latter is just a depth move as the Eagles locked up one the best cornerback did in Darius Slay and James Bradberry. The Eagles secondary was very good, so it’s comforting having the corners back as well as depth. 

I was not a fan of the Mariota signing  at first, but he does fit the system better than Minshew. Penny is a good running back, but he is injury prone. Still, the Eagles have a good committee out of the backfield. Penny may not have to have a full workload, so he could be healthy with Boston Scott back and Kenny Gainwell working with him.

The Eagles also kept Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce. I thought Cox and Graham wouldn’t be re-signed, but Graham is coming off a great year. If Graham builds off that, then that’s all well and good. Cox is another topic. I assume that was just a “you have served your time well here, so we are keeping you” type of signing. I would’ve been OK if Cox left, fan-favorite or not. 

So how would you rate the offseason so far? Obviously we knew the biggest change would be the defense. It has a totally different look, and there are holes to fill both at safety and linebacker. The Eagles need edge rushers, too. I’m sure Howie Roseman has a plan in place, but it needs to be perfect.

The NFC is wide open, in my opinion. The NFC East will probably be the best division. So, besides the Giants, Cowboys and 49ers, who are the playoff-ready teams? The Lions might be very good and if Aaron Rodgers goes to the AFC, the Packers are not a threat. It’s hard to get back to the Super Bowl, but the Eagles honestly have a shot in a below-average NFC.

The offense is basically the same, so I expect the unit to be just as dominant and points should come easy,, as they did this season. Well assuming everyone remains healthy 

The defense needs to be built back up.

That starts with a good draft and turning to the younger players, including Jordan Davis, Cam Jurgens and Nakobe Dean, the top three picks from last year’s draft.

Each didn’t get much playing time last year, and Jurgens may not again with Kelce returning, but Dean and Davis will.

Davis , along with Milton Williams, will take over for Hargrave. Not a terrible interior with Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat and Graham. Dean is about to be relied on even more with White and Edwards gone. He will be a big name to watch.

As of now, the Eagles have had a decent offseason . They are looking like they want to get back to the Super Bowl, so that’s a good sign. There is just a lot more to be done. The team will look different and will look to younger players.