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Eagles Have More Cap Space Than Just 10 Other Teams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Howie Roseman is already pouring cold water on your Philadelphia Eagles free-agency expectations.

"Legal tampering" period begins on Monday, two days before the 2016 NFL seasons officially starts and free-agency opens on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. E.T. The Eagles have $17,460,770 in cap space according to Spotrac.com, 11th least in the NFL.

In contract, the New York Giants have $55.77 million, third most in the league.

Related: 6 Key NFL Dates For 2016

"You always want more, but we'll deal with what the reality is that we have and we'll make the best of it," Roseman said via Philly.com.

Roseman is back in charge of personnel decisions, just 14 months after he relinquished his roster power to ex-Eagles coach Chip Kelly. Kelly, who was fired after the team's Week 15 playoff-eliminating loss in December despite a 26-21 record, made numerous and controversial offseason roster decisions.

While many are skeptical of Kelly's moves -- some of which have certainly hurt the team's viability as a player in this year's free-agent market -- the Eagles' roster doesn't have much wiggle room.

The 2015 under-achieving players brought in by Kelly -- DeMarco Murray, Byron Maxwell, and Kiko Alonso -- all make more financial sense on the roster than off it, for at least one more season.

Starting quarterback Sam Bradford, who was acquired by Kelly in a trade for Nick Foles, was recently re-signed to a two-year deal worth $26 million guaranteed.

Related: 3 Takeaways From Sam Bradford's New Deal

Roseman also gave long-term extensions to ascending young talents in Lane Johnson, Zach Ertz, Vinny Curry, and Malcolm Jenkins. He also elected to re-sign veteran tight-end Brent Celek, instead of saving 5 million cap dollars.

The team's best player Fletcher Cox, who is expected to earn himself somewhere around the $50 million guaranteed mark, enters 2016 under contract for one more season.

Report: Eagles, Cox 'Close To New Deal' Worth Over $50 Million Guaranteed

Mychal Kendricks, Connor Barwin, and Jordan Hicks all return under contract next season at the linebacker position, along with the aforementioned Alonso. As does key defensive tackle Bennie Logan and Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce. 

Running backs Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews also are expected return in 2016 and while the wide receiver position certainly needs a bolstering, young guns Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, and Josh Huff will certainly be here.

Roseman and the Eagles did decide to part ways with aging LB DeMeco Ryans and special teams star Riley Cooper (who was overpaid after the 2013 season, ironically, by Roseman himself) to save some cap space, but 34-year-old declining left-tackle Jason Peters (and his nagging back injury) returns for about 10 million cap dollars.

Related: Eagles Should Move On From Jason Peters

The Eagles will likely try to add a mid-tier veteran wide receiver and offensive lineman, or two, in free-agency. And they should.

But don't expect much more.

UPDATE: Unless, Howie trades all of Chip's players? Gulp.

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