Why the Eagles' retention of older players makes sense

As the offseason continues, the Eagles are retooling with the intention of getting another chance at a Super Bowl ring in 2023. Some of their moves might seem questionable at first, but they make sense with greater scrutiny. 

The Eagles let defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (49ers), safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Lions), right guard Isaac Seumalo (Steelers) and linebackers Kyzir White (Cardinals) and T.J. Edwards (Bears) walk in free agency. 

Meanwhile, they re-signed longtime center Jason Kelce, defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. They also re-signed cornerbacks Darius "Big Play" Slay and James Bradberry. All of them will be over 30 at the opening of next season. 

The average age of Eagles players who signed with other teams is 27.5 while the average age of players they re-signed is 31.4, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia. 

Quality, young players are essential for a team to succeed in the NFL. So why did the Eagles re-sign older players and let younger players such as Gardner-Johnson and White leave in free agency? 

For one, the older players remain productive. Graham, 34, racked up 11 sacks in 2022 after recovering from a torn Achilles in 2021. 

Kelce, 35, was the foreman of the best offensive line in football and made his fifth First-Team All-Pro team.

Cox, 32, has seen better days, but he still racked up seven sacks and played a big part in the team's success.

Graham, Kelce and Cox are also the glue that holds this team together. Each has played for the Eagles for more than a decade. They've seen good and bad in Philadelphia -- playing in two Super Bowls as well as for a 4-11-1 team whose head coach was fired.

They're so important to the team's success that NFL.com calls them and 32-year-old right tackle Lane Johnson the "Core Four."

Gardner-Johnson, Hargrave and Seumalo will be missed, but their probable replacements are already on the team. 

Defensive tackle Jordan Davis, a 2022 first-round pick, will replace Hargrave. 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens could move to right guard and replace Seumalo, according to NFL.com. Linebacker Nakobe Dean, who played little during his rookie year in 2022, will replace White at middle linebacker.

The Eagles lost good players this offseason, but they retained the "Core Four" and other productive, older players -- moves that should put them in the thick of contention for another NFC title.