The Philadelphia Eagles have leaned on tight end Dallas Goedert as a valuable safety net for much of the season, with Goedert and the offense taking a back seat to running back Saquon Barkley, who is chasing the NFL’s single-season rushing record.
Despite being somewhat overshadowed, Goedert has still posted solid numbers that most NFL tight ends would envy, with 38 catches for 441 yards and 2 touchdowns before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury on December 7.
Although Goedert’s injury designation allows him the possibility of returning for the regular-season finale against the New York Giants in Week 18, there’s no certainty about his recovery timeline or readiness for the playoffs.
According to Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder, a potential replacement for Goedert could be veteran tight end Logan Thomas, who is currently a free agent after being released by the Washington Commanders. Holder suggested that the Eagles should consider adding Thomas to their practice squad as a precautionary move, allowing him to familiarize himself with the offense in case of an emergency heading into the postseason.
Goedert: One of the NFL’s Highest-Paid Tight Ends
Regardless of his injury status, Goedert remains one of the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends, having signed a 4-year, $57 million contract extension with the Eagles in November 2021. With $14.25 million still owed to him in 2025, Goedert’s future in Philadelphia could be in question, especially as he’s missed 25 games over the last five seasons due to injury. Once he’s activated from injured reserve, Goedert will have missed a total of seven games in 2024, prompting the Eagles to possibly consider his replacement sooner rather than later.
Logan Thomas: A Potential Fill-In
Logan Thomas had a standout 2023 season with the Washington Commanders, finishing with 55 receptions for 496 yards and 4 touchdowns, despite playing for a struggling team that ended the year with a 4-13 record. Thomas ranked 19th in the NFL for receiving yards among tight ends—just behind Goedert, who posted 59 catches for 592 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 250 pounds, Thomas was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2014 as a quarterback (4th round, No. 120 overall) before making a successful transition to tight end. He played one season as a quarterback with the Cardinals before bouncing around the NFL, including stints with the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills. In 2020, Thomas had a breakout season with Washington, recording career highs in receptions (72), receiving yards (670), and touchdowns (6), helping the team make the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
After his standout 2020 campaign, Thomas was rewarded with a 3-year, $24 million contract extension by Washington, but his 2021 season was marred by injuries, limiting him to just six games.
Now a free agent, Thomas could be a strong option for the Eagles, offering both depth and experience at tight end, especially with Goedert’s uncertain recovery.
