The Philadelphia Eagles have no shortage of difficult upcoming offseason decisions. That includes kicker Jake Elliott's future, as the veteran leg comes off another underwhelming season. Once automatic, it appears to be a coin flip which version of the Elliott will walk on the field each Sunday ever since signing a four-year, $24 million extension in March 2024.
For Eagles fans still on the fence about Elliott's future, it is hard to ignore the obvious move ahead when you look at the kicker's production over the last three seasons. It was only 2023 when Elliott seemed like he couldn't miss, especially from long range.
However, it's only taken back-to-back years of declining efficiency to erase any goodwill he may have created:
Year | Field Goal % | Percentage from 50+ YArds |
|---|---|---|
2023 | 93.7% (30-of-33) | 87.5% (7-of-8) |
2024 | 77.7% (28-of-36) | 14.2% (1-of-7) |
2025 | 74.1% (20-of-27) | 50% (4-of-8) |
Jake Elliott's Regression Leaving Eagles No Choice but to Move On
It isn't a typo that Elliott only managed to make 14.2% of his attempts from 50 yards and beyond in the 2024 season. Despite winning a Super Bowl that year, the Eagles had every reason to move on from Elliott and still opted to allow the kicker to return. For a second straight season, his FG% dropped, and Philadelphia now must make the difficult decision to move on from an important piece that can no longer be trusted.
Releasing Elliott after June 1 would open up $2.2 million in cap space and result in a $2.6 million dead cap hit, according to Spotrac. While the cap savings are less than the dead cap hit, this isn't about creating additional cap space. With how often NFL kickers are connecting on long attempts this season, the Eagles can't afford to put their faith in Elliott in big-game situations.
One potential replacement option could be division rival Brandon Aubrey, who will be a restricted free agent for the Dallas Cowboys next month. This would be a fun shot to take at a division rival while improving your team at a position of need. Other kickers hitting the open market include Eddy Pineiro, Daniel Carlson, and Chad Ryland.
Parting ways with a two-time Super Bowl winner is never easy, but Elliott's concerning regression can't be ignored. Besides, a potential offseason split wouldn't only help the Eagles solve their kicker situation but also give Elliott a chance to see if a fresh start can help get his career back on track.
That's why it won't be surprising if Elliott's Eagles tenure ends shortly, with the NFL offseason set to kick into overdrive in the coming weeks.