NFL insider Greg Auman predicts linebackers Nakobe Dean will depart Philadelphia this spring, with his next contract likely coming from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Auman notes Dean’s durability questions persist despite a standout 2024 season, when he recorded 128 tackles in a year that ended with a Super Bowl run for the Eagles.
Dean, 25, has battled injuries across four seasons in Philadelphia, limiting his game count and raising long-term health concerns. He has shown pass-rushing ability, posting seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss over the last two seasons, but his reliability remains in question after missing most of the playoffs following a knee injury.
The Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell in the first round last year, which could influence decisions on Dean’s future with the club. Auman projects a free-agent range for Dean, estimating an annual value around $8 million, reflecting his upside and injury history.
Dean’s return from a torn left patellar tendon in January 2025 yielded notable production: 55 combined tackles in 10 regular-season games, plus seven tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass defense. While his talent is evident, teams will weigh durability and long-term health when forming an offer in free agency.
