Monday, August 24, 2026

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

The Eagles are playing in yet another Super Bowl, thanks to the franchise’s surprising techniques around ownership, the salary cap, and on-field strategy.

Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images

The Eagles have arrived at their second Super Bowl in three seasons, and third since they won the Lombardi Trophy in February 2018. The franchise continues to reinvent championship roster construction and the ownership structure itself.

In December, the NFL formally approved the sale of an 8% minority stake that valued the Eagles at $8.3 billion. While Philadelphia’s majority owner Jeffrey Lurie considered bringing in private equity partners under new league rules, he ultimately opted for two family investment groups that bought in separately.

That new valuation is a bump from the roughly $6.75 billion estimated by several preseason lists (the Cowboys were No. 1 at around $10 billion).

The latest stakes—totaling roughly $664 million—are more than triple the $185 million Lurie paid for the club in 1994. Lurie, 72, still owns 85% of the Eagles, with other minority investors making up the other 7% or so.  

During the postseason, the Eagles had the rare opportunity to host—and win—three home playoff games at Lincoln Financial Field. That success in January came after a 14–3 regular season and NFC East championship that earned the Eagles the conference’s No. 2 seed.

While star running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts get the credit for performing on the field, Philadelphia boasts an all-star front office led by executive vice president and GM Howie Roseman.

Roseman lost personnel decision-making power during the Chip Kelly era (2013–2015) but since returning in 2016 has become a salary-cap wizard en route to building on one of the league’s most feared rosters. Given the Eagles’ recent success, Roseman, 49, should likely be in line for another contract extension (in 2022, he signed one through the 2025 NFL season). 

“I’ll do anything for a championship,” Roseman said Monday at Super Bowl Opening Night. 

The main question mark is sustainability: The franchise already has more than $1.2 billion in cap allocations between 2025 and 2030—the most in the NFL. Roseman has been a proponent of using void years—which stretch a player’s cap hit past the seasons included in his contract—to ensure additional space in the short term.

Hurts, who signed a five-year, $255 million extension in 2023, is by far the highest-paid player on the team with an average annual salary value of $51 million through the 2028 season. 

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is nearing the end of the five-year, $35 million contract he signed in 2021. His $7 million annual salary had him just outside the 10 highest-paid coaches in the NFL before the season. (“His future is going to be great,” Lurie said this week.)

A win over the Chiefs would virtually guarantee extensions and big raises for the Eagles’ main cast. But, given it would be just the third major professional sports championship for the city of Philadelphia since 1983, a victory could also give Lurie leverage as he considers future stadium options, with the Eagles’ lease at Lincoln Financial Field set to expire in 2032. 

At Super Bowl Opening Night, Lurie was asked about the idea of building a dome or stadium with a retractable roof.

“I love outdoor football,” he said. “I love it. I love the cold games. I like the hot games. I like the snow games. On the other hand, does Philadelphia deserve to host the Super Bowl? The NCAA Final Four? Lots of great events. It’s an incredible sports city. Does it deserve that? Yes, so you’ve got to balance all of those things.”

If the Eagles dethrone the Chiefs and win Super Bowl LIX, the city of Philadelphia might let Lurie do anything he wants.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.

‘Natural Next Step’: Brenda Song Takes Rams Fandom to Broadcast Booth

The actress has become an increasingly visible Rams ambassador.
Jan 18, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports broadcast microphone before the game between the Oregon Ducks against the Colorado Buffaloes at the CU Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive

Steven Ruiz Leaving The Ringer for Fox Sports

Ruiz had been with The Ringer since 2021.
LSU Tigers head football coach Lane Kiffin talking with Quarterback Husan Longstreet 8 at LSU Football practice. August 18, 2026.

College Football Landscape Fueled by New Off-Field Drama

Five major storylines are shaping college football’s new business landscape.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

T-Wolves Sold Again, NHL Targets Texas, WNBA Fan Banned

0:00

Featured Today

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.

Marc Lore Sells Wolves in Another NBA Ownership Stunner

The move comes just 14 months after Lore took over in Minnesota.
August 20, 2026

Arctos Adds Stake in 4th NFL Team With Falcons Deal

The agreement reportedly values the Falcons at $10.6 billion.
First at FOS
August 20, 2026

Key NFL Committees Clear Way for $9.6 Billion Seahawks Sale

The sale is now likely to be ratified next week.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
August 19, 2026

Buss Family Drama Won’t Stop Lakers Sale to Iger and Kushner

Sources say the deal is unaffected by the Buss family dispute.
August 17, 2026

Buss Family Drama Brewing After Reported Lakers Sale

Jeanie Buss is contradicting a report that her family will sell.
Mar 12, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers majority owner Mark Walter and team executive Jeannie Buss in attendance at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit
August 14, 2026

In Sudden $12.5B Lakers Sale, Big Questions Remain

Why did Mark Walter flip the NBA’s crown jewel in 10 months?
Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; The Chicago Bears logo in the end zone before an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
August 14, 2026

Bears Call Indiana Stadium Plans Their ‘Sole Focus’

Bears chairman on Illinois: “Hope is not a strategy.”