The Philadelphia Eagles have made their first major moves to trim the roster down to 53 players. A person with knowledge of the situation told NJ.com that the team released tight end Stone Smartt. Ryan Fowler reported that defensive tackle Gabe Hall was also sent away as the club continues to reduce its numbers. These are not random decisions. They are calculated steps to clear space for players who fit the final picture.
This offseason, Smartt secured a one-year contract, yet his chances of joining the roster were always slim. The Eagles need depth at tight end, yet they have a clear path forward with Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, and Eli Stowers as the top three. Last season with the New York Jets, Smartt recorded 52 yards and seven catches across 15 games. His release opens a spot for someone who can contribute right now.
Before earning a spot on the 2025 initial 53-man roster, Hall remained on the practice squad for the majority of his first two seasons. He played 13 defensive snaps in two regular-season games, including the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. Now he faces the waiver process. If he clears waivers, a return to Philadelphia remains possible because he knows Vic Fangio’s defense well.
Young Guns Get the Axe
The Eagles are not just cutting veterans; they are also moving on from their recent draft picks. On Saturday, NFL insider Adam Schefter announced that the team released 2025 sixth-round pick Myles Hinton. Hinton struggled this summer and did not play well at offensive tackle after an experiment at guard.
This is the third member of the 2025 draft class to be dismissed. Kyle McCord and Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr were previously cut by the team. last year. Hinton was 24 years old and looked like a project who needed more time than the Eagles were willing to give. Although Jeff Stoutland, who departed the Eagles earlier this year, appeared to favor Hinton at the draft, the current administration holds a different view.
An established unit comprising Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, and Ty Robinson makes the roster room crowded. Seventh-round rookie Uar Bernard seems better positioned to secure a place on the initial roster. David Blay Jr. remains another player under consideration. While the Eagles kept Hall following earlier cuts, he now has a chance to join a team with a more defined route to playing time.
What Comes Next
The Eagles could continue developing Smartt on the practice squad this season. At 6-foot-4 and 226 pounds, he possesses a slight frame for a tight end, though he has demonstrated potential as a receiver. In 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers, he achieved a career-best 208 yards and 16 receptions. Last preseason, Smartt gained viral attention after blocking Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter and knocking him to the ground.
The team still has work to do before Week 1. Tight end is a weakness for Philadelphia, prompting a potential move in that area. Cameron Latu, a blocking tight end, might claim the fourth position within the tight end group. The cuts of Smartt, Hall, and Hinton provide additional clarity behind the starters.
The NFC East is more competitive than at any point in the last decade. The Eagles need every spot on the 53-man roster to be filled by a player who can help immediately. These releases show that the front office is not afraid to move on from potential if it does not pan out. The focus now shifts to who fills these holes before the first whistle blows in September. The team must find depth that can handle the grind of a long season.
