The Philadelphia Eagles have positioned themselves as true NFC contenders this season, but it’s never too soon to start thinking about the future.

Like every NFL team, the Eagles have some important starters playing on expiring contracts. Some of those pending free agents are massively outperforming their 2024 salaries, meaning time is of the essence for general manager Howie Roseman to pay his rising stars.

Forget in-season free agency and poaching players off opposing practice squads. Here are three underpaid Eagles the team should extend as soon as possible:

LB Zack Baun

The steal of 2024 free agency, Roseman struck gold with this former part-time pass rusher of the New Orleans Saints. Baun signed with the Eagles this offseason for backup money — one year, $1.6 million — and is playing at an All-Pro level after successfully switching to inside linebacker in training camp.

Zach Baun has been the highest-graded LB each of the past three weeks 👀 pic.twitter.com/XNvoz817l2

— PFF (@PFF) November 11, 2024

Zaire Franklin signed a three-year, $31.26 million extension with the Indianapolis Colts back in March. Baun has earned himself something in that ballpark, and the price tag is only going up.

The Eagles found themselves a baller in Baun, and they shouldn’t drag their feet on getting him locked up long-term.

RG Mekhi Becton 

More absolute thievery from Roseman in free agency. Becton flamed out with the New York Jets as an offensive tackle. The Eagles plucked him in free agency for one year, $2.75 million, moved him to guard, and he’s now the 13th highest-graded interior lineman through the first 10 weeks, per PFF’s metrics.

Mekhi Becton looks like a bouncer throwing a drunk college kid out of a bar pic.twitter.com/AsT1WmLr9a

— Life of a Philly Fan (@PhillyFanLife) November 11, 2024

Good offensive lineman are hard to find, and once found they often get paid handsomely. The Eagles are getting the most out of a player who was drafted No. 11 overall in 2020. The trenches are the linchpin of what Nick Sirianni wants to do on offense. Getting to Becton’s contract early feels like a shrewd move.

DT Milton Williams

The Eagles allowed Williams, a third-round pick in 2021, to enter a walk year, which means there’s a chance they lose him to another team in 2025 free agency.

That would be a major mistake, as Williams has developed into one of the premier young interior pass rushers in the NFL. The 25-year-old has a PFF pass-rushing grade of 80.8, which is sixth-best in the league. He’s the kind of homegrown talent the Eagles tend to invest in.

Milton Williams just took that ball from Cooper Rush. Grown man strength. pic.twitter.com/U8zvMlU3GE

— Patrick (@PhillyPMC) November 10, 2024

In October, the Detroit Lions extended DT Alim McNeill to a four-year, $97 million contract extension with $28 million fully guaranteed. That’s a rich contract for a player drafted one pick before Williams in the 2021 NFL Draft. Williams might not demand that same number, but the price is going up for a player who has formed a dependable trio alongside Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis in Philly.

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