Feb. 28, 2026, 12:18 p.m. ET
If you’ve followed the offseason conversations surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles, you know Dallas Goedert’s future has felt anything but certain. March 11 approaches, a date that doubles as the start of the new league year and free agency. There’s a much different vibe that we were aware of about a year ago.
After an offseason in which Goedert was treated as expendable, he returned on a restructured contract that would keep him in Philadelphia for the final season of his contract. Most thought the 2025 regular season would be his swan song.
Then, he enjoyed the best season of his career, a record-setting campaign. Now, thoughts have shifted. It sounds like there’s a chance that Philadelphia’s star tight end might stay around for a while.
That remains to be seen, but it appears one of pro football’s trusted voices is aligning with that theory. NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo recently joined The Anthony Gargano Show. When asked a direct question about Goedert’s future in Philadelphia, he offered an equally direct response.
Mike Garafolo isn’t closing the door on Dallas Goedert’s return in 2026.
It’s not about discussing ability. When healthy, Goedert remains one of the league’s most complete tight ends. He’s physical after the catch. He’s reliable in traffic, and he’s more than willing to handle the dirty work in the run game.
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The questions have centered on durability, cap allocation, and, of course, long-term planning. In today’s NFL, even productive veterans find themselves part of difficult financial discussions.
Then, there are all of those NFL Combine interviews to discuss. The Eagles are doing a lot of homework on the tight end class, so of course, speculation naturally follows.
That’s why a recent live stream appearance turned heads. NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo recently joined The Anthony Gargano Show. When asked a direct question about Goedert’s future in Philadelphia, he offered an equally direct response: “I think he’s back.”
That’s about as simple as it gets. No hedging. No dramatic pause. Now, that doesn’t make anything official. Free agency is unpredictable. Front offices pivot quickly when markets shift, but Garafolo isn’t in the business of guessing blindly.
His tone suggested informed confidence, not hopeful projection. If Goedert does return, this signals continuity. This suggests the Eagles still value what he brings to the offense beyond the box score.
It seems that there’s a chance that any tight end additions this offseason are about adding depth rather than succession planning. There’s a chance that the Eagles aren’t in the immediate hunt for Goedert’s replacement.
In a league where silence often breeds concern, sometimes a straightforward “I think he’s back” is enough to calm the waters. That’s the case for now, at least. It appears we have more optimism on the Goedert front, and those hoping he returns can rest a little easier.