One of the more interesting questions facing the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2026 offseason is how the franchise will address their tight end room.
Both Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra are scheduled to hit free agency, with Goedert being an obvious re-signing possibility. For Calcaterra, fans can only hope that he isn't retained after what was an incredibly underwhelming 2025 season. Re-signing him would be a mistake, which is why they might need some help from a familiar face in former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
On Wednesday, Pro Football Talk's Michael David Smith reported that Patullo has been hired as the Miami Dolphins' passing game coordinator under new head coach Jeff Haffley. Looking at the Dolphins' roster, it becomes clear there is a need for tight end depth and a hope that perhaps Calcaterra will follow his former OC to Miami.
For the 2026 season, the Dolphins lack a single name of note under contract at the position, clearly opening the door for Calcaterra to find a new landing spot in free agency.
Kevin Patullo Could Help Take Grant Calcaterra Off Eagles' Hands
Philly fans would welcome the change after Calcaterra came up short as a pass-catcher and blocker last season. The Oklahoma/SMU product finished the year with only nine catches for 76 receiving yards and one touchdown in 15 games, while struggling to help the Eagles' rushing attack, proven by an abysmal 49.1 Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade.
It is difficult to justify why Calcaterra stayed in the lineup when he wasn't a consistent blocker and clearly wasn't a trusted target for quarterback Jalen Hurts. All of this adds up to the Eagles needing to turn the page, and Patullo perhaps providing just that opportunity.
For Patullo, it would offer a familiar face and a reliable piece in what is a mess of a position group. The Dolphins don't have any reliable TE depth beyond Darren Waller, who ended the season on injured reserve with a groin issue, and that's without mentioning how he'll be turning 33 years old in September.
Whether it is Miami or another landing spot, Philadelphia needs to let Calcaterra walk away in free agency. He isn't a good fit for the Eagles' offense, and trying to run things back and expecting different results would be a huge mistake.
The Eagles' TE room could look different come training camp, and a lot of that will hinge on Goedert's free agency decision. Regardless of what he does, though, it is clear that Calcaterra can't be in the mix anymore.
Let's hope that Patullo can help his former team by luring the veteran tight end to South Beach next month. It'd arguably be more help to the Eagles' offense than he provided at any point last season.