Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – December 13, 2025
The NFL was stunned on Thursday when the Detroit Lions abruptly released Ross Dwelley, the veteran tight end long admired for his versatility, reliability, and quiet-but-crucial contributions to the San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LVIII runs. And within just one hour of the announcement, Dwelley sent shockwaves through the league: he wants to join the Philadelphia Eagles — and is prepared to reject larger contract offers if it means helping the franchise return to Super Bowl glory.
Dwelley’s career has never been defined by flashy numbers. Instead, coaches and teammates across the league have consistently praised him as one of the most dependable and intelligent multi-role offensive weapons in football. From blocking in heavy sets, to working the short passing game, to contributing on special teams, his value often exceeded anything found on a stat sheet. His breakout stretch in 2020, when injuries thrust him into a bigger role, revealed a poised, high-IQ player capable of thriving in the league’s most demanding system.
That versatility — TE, FB, H-back, special teams asset — is precisely what makes Dwelley an ideal fit for Philadelphia’s offense, a system built on adaptability, condensed formations, misdirection, and multi-functional personnel groups. For a coach like Nick Sirianni, who values players who can do everything, Dwelley represents exactly the kind of low-risk, high-impact addition needed during a deep playoff push.
After clearing waivers, Dwelley spoke openly about his future and his desire to bring championship experience to a team he believes is still built to win now.
“I’ve been through the toughest roads this league has to offer to reach a Super Bowl — I understand that journey better than any stat line ever could,” Dwelley said. “If Philadelphia needs someone willing to sacrifice a contract, a role or even the spotlight to help them get back to where they belong, I’ll do it without hesitation.”
Inside the Eagles’ building, the reaction has reportedly been immediate. With injuries and inconsistency impacting the tight end depth behind Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia has been searching for a veteran with toughness, intelligence, and playoff pedigree. Dwelley checks every box — and brings something else the Eagles desperately need: a voice who has lived through the highest-pressure moments in the sport.
Dwelley’s arrival would not only solidify depth but also bring a stabilizing presence for situational downs, red-zone packages, and heavy formations — areas where Philadelphia has been seeking more reliability throughout the season.
If the Eagles move forward with pursuing Dwelley — and momentum seems to be building — it has the potential to be one of the most quietly influential signings of the entire offseason.
Just one hour after being released, Ross Dwelley made his intentions unmistakably clear:
his NFL journey is far from finished — and Philadelphia may be the place where his most meaningful chapter begins.
