After refusing an extension with the San Francisco 49ers last season, instead getting the Franchise tag, Dashon Goldson seems to be looking for a new team, and the Philadelphia Eagles, in desperate need of defensive improvement including (and maybe most of all) in the secondary look like the primary target.
The Eagles have more than $29 million to spend, and if they manage to get rid of Nnamdi Asomugha, who is interestingly enough represented by the same agent Goldson is, they’ll be closer to $40 million in spending money, although the last couple of times they decided to build through expensive free agents didn’t turn out so well for the franchise and Andy Reid, now doing his coaching in Kansas City.
Part of the interest coming from Philadelphia is based on personnel – Tom Gamble was part of the 49ers’ management for the last eight seasons, and is now the new vice president of players personnel in Philadelphia, with these connections often helping teams land highly courted free agents. Golson declined a five year, $25 million deal from the 49ers last season, and was franchised instead. He’s also not interested in being franchised for a second time, which didn’t happen eventually, which would have made him over $7.4 million. Goldson is looking to make $8 million a season on a 3-4 year contract.
The Eagles secondary allowed an NFL-worst 33 passing touchdowns last season, and the team has struggled filling the shoes of Brian Dawkins, who spent 13 seasons with the team as their free safety. Goldson has been in the NFL since 2007, making the Pro-Bowl the last couple of seasons and was named to the first All-Pro team in 2012. He has recorded nine interceptions in the last couple of seasons, and might provide the presumably soft Eagles defense with a hard hitter at safety once again.