• Loading stock data...
Friday, March 20, 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.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sports commentator watches games on NFL Red Zone

NFL Sunday Ticket Exit from DirecTV Forces U.S. Bars to Adapt

DirecTV will no longer distribute the out-of-market package.
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reacts to call by the referees in the third quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium.

NFL Eyes Replacements If League Doesn’t Reach Referee CBA Deal

The league is amassing a list of alternates as labor negotiations continue.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) hands off to running back Dylan Sampson (22) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

NFL Rule Changes Could Reshape Roster Management

Teams could gain an expanded window to trade draft picks.

NFLPA Leaders Publicly Defend Tretter Pick Despite Past Scrutiny

Tretter resigned from the NFLPA less than eight months ago.

Featured Today

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.

Mets Chase Dodgers With $370M Payroll and Mounting Expectations

The MLB club enters 2026 with renewed optimism despite last year’s disappointment.
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia looks on during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.
March 16, 2026

Ishbia in Talks to Buy Stakes From Minority Owners Who Sued Him

The parties have hit pause on their legal dispute to enter mediation.
Mar 13, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Portland Thorns defender Sam Hiatt (16) blocks a kick from Washington Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos (10) in the first half at Audi Field.
March 18, 2026

Kings Co-Owner Is Taking Over Women’s Sports in Portland

“It feels like this is my purpose, this is why I’m here.”
Sponsored

Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet

Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
Mar 14, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Legacy FC forward Nichelle Prince (12) runs with the ball during the second half of the game against NY/NJ Gotham FC at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Natalie Reid-Imagn Images
March 14, 2026

Stadium-Hopping Boston Legacy Enjoy ‘Surreal’ Debut

More than 30,000 fans attended the expansion team’s first match.
Raquel Aguiree displays a Boston Legacy shirt at a neighborhood meeting on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Brookfield School to discuss the pro women's soccer team's draft plans for a training facility in Brockton in the old Removal Park area.
March 14, 2026

Boston Legacy Make NWSL Debut After Long Road to Opening Day

After many hurdles, professional women’s soccer is back in New England.
March 13, 2026

Seahawks GM: State’s Millionaire Tax Will ‘Sting’ Player Recruitment

The Super Bowl-winning GM foresees a competitive disadvantage forthcoming.
Mario Ho
March 13, 2026

How a 30-Year-Old Became Part-Owner of the Celtics

Mario Ho has his eye on expanding the Celtics’ footprint in China.