In the pursuit of back-to-back Super Bowl titles, the Philadelphia Eagles know championships are often won in the margins. While the star power of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith headlines one of the league’s most dangerous offenses, the drop-off behind them at wide receiver remains a major concern – one that could derail their repeat hopes if left unaddressed.
Enter Tyler Lockett, a veteran free agent who could be the missing piece.
After a decade of dependable production in Seattle, Lockett was released on March 5 to create cap space following a modest 2024 campaign in which he tallied 49 receptions for 600 yards and 2 touchdowns. While those numbers were his lowest since 2017, they still dramatically outshine what the Eagles got from their WR3 position last season.
Jahan Dotson, acquired via trade from Washington for a 2025 third-round pick and two seventh-rounders, was largely ineffective in Philadelphia’s offense. The former first-rounder posted just 19 catches for 216 yards – a career low and a disappointing return on investment.
Lockett, by contrast, brings a resume packed with proven production and postseason experience. The 32-year-old wideout has missed just three games in 10 NFL seasons – never more than one in any given year – making him one of the most durable players at his position in the league. That kind of reliability is exactly what the Eagles need behind Brown and Smith, who each missed four games during the 2024 championship run.
Beyond durability, Lockett’s credentials speak for themselves: three All-Pro nods, four straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2019 to 2022, and a career average of 907 receiving yards per season with 61 total touchdowns. Even in a diminished role last year, his savvy route running, sure hands, and deep-ball tracking remained evident. In Philadelphia, he wouldn’t be asked to carry a heavy load – just win matchups against third corners and be where Jalen Hurts needs him when plays break down.
Financially, the move makes sense. Seattle’s release of Lockett cleared $7 million in cap space after a two-year, $29.6 million extension inked in 2024 frontloaded $12.6 million in guarantees. A one-year deal near the $7 million range would be a realistic and manageable target for Philadelphia, especially considering the Eagles have already invested a combined $191 million in extensions for Brown and Smith.
But in today’s NFL, depth wins championships – and the Eagles saw firsthand how fragile a top-heavy receiver corps can be. When both Brown and Smith were sidelined last season, Philadelphia lacked a trustworthy third option, forcing tight end Dallas Goedert and backup running backs into roles they weren’t built to carry.
Adding Lockett wouldn’t just solve the WR3 problem – it would give the Eagles a layer of insurance, experience, and composure in the postseason. He’s the kind of low-risk, high-impact veteran signing that savvy teams make en route to Super Bowl parades.
For a franchise with title ambitions and a window that remains wide open, signing Tyler Lockett could be the subtle yet defining move that pushes the Eagles back to the top of the NFL mountain
