Eagles GM Howie Roseman makes guarantee about fixing major roster hole that Philly can’t afford to ignore

The Birds won’t ignore a defensive issue with their current depth chart.

Adam Holt — NFL News Writer
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Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Eagles are not going to ignore a major roster hole that currently looms on their depth chart if general manager Howie Roseman is telling the truth.

After bolstering their secondary with cornerback Tariq Woolen, the safety position is still a bit of an unknown when it comes to 2026. Roseman still wants to improve that group on paper and on the field.

Eagles plan to add more safety help for defense

Roseman answered plenty of questions during media availability at the league meetings on Monday, and safety was brought up. It is a perceived weakness for the roster because of Reed Blankenship’s departure for the Houston Texans during free agency. Philly also traded away safety Sydney Brown.

The Eagles executive isn’t done addressing the position, which is a great news update for fans of the team who are hoping the defense remains a strength in 2026.

“It starts with using our second-round pick on (Drew) Makuba. See a lot of growth from the first to second year, and expect that from him. Really excited about him. I think we have some guys that either we brought back or that we signed that we have confidence in that can play the position.

And again, I go back to the original thing. We don’t play for a long time. …And we still have a draft, we still have a lot of players that are available. More players will come available after the draft. …In some shape or form, we will add at that position.” — Howie Roseman via Zach Berman

“In some shape or form” is a phrase that also could mean a possible trade for a veteran if that particular door opens up for the Eagles following the draft, too.

Current safety room for Eagles

  • Andrew Mukuba
  • Marcus Epps
  • Michael Carter II
  • JT Gray
  • Andre Sam
  • Brandon Johnson

Both Gray and Epps were inked to one-year deals following the trade of Brown. Gray is a special teams player who shouldn’t take defensive snaps next season.

As for Epps, he has played well at times for the Philly defense, but they would probably prefer him as a key backup rather than a weekly starter. Roseman and the staff clearly have a ton of confidence in Mukuba’s upside, but he is coming off a season-ending injury, so he may take some time to get up to speed.

No matter what – these comments do keep safety on the team’s radar early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Players like Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may be on their board for a potential pick in the first round. In round two, a player like A.J. H expect they address the position on one of the first two days in late April.

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