As the free agency rumor mill heats up, the Philadelphia Eagles received a bit of discouraging news regarding Bennie Logan Monday.

Has nothing to do with contract negotiations (although the Eagles and Logan have yet to engage in talks), but a NFC East rival is in pursuit of signing Logan if he hits the free agent market.

The Washington Redskins will attempt to sign Logan if the Eagles and the 2013 third-round pick can not come up to contract extension prior to free agency, which will begin on March 9.

Philadelphia has just $10-14 million in salary cap space (which will increase with expected cuts coming) at this time. With the Eagles desperate to improve other positions, is it even worth resigning Logan?

Logan is displayed his versatility in his four years with the Eagles, playing defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme and nose tackle in a 4-3 scheme. An excellent run-stopper, Philadelphia allowed just 90.7 rush yards per game in the 12 full games Logan played in 2016, but that number increased to 141.0 in games he failed to finish/sat out with injury.

The Eagles will certainly miss Logan's presence against the run, but he seems better suited for a 3-4 defense despite his career-high 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in hist first year playing the 4-3 last season.

Logan also recorded the lowest grade of his career by Pro Football Focus in 2016, earning a mark of 45.1 (85th among interior defenders). In his three years in the 3-4, Logan earned grades of 71.9 (2013), 77.3 (2014) and 79.3 (2015). Logan also was a force playing in a two-gap scheme, compiling 102 tackles in 30 games from 2014 and 2015.

The Redskins will seek to improve their rush defense this offseason, which Logan would provide a huge step in improving a unit that allowed 119.8 rush yards per game in 2016 (24th in NFL). Washington also has $60.8 million to spend in salary cap space this offseason and isn't expected to pay a high price for wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon.

Logan is a prime target for the Redskins, who have proved in the Dan Snyder-era they are willing to outbid any team for a player they covet. He'll certainly get the contract he desires in Washington, despite his intentions to stay in Philadelphia.

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The Eagles would be foolish to pay top dollar for a defensive tackle (one year after giving Fletcher Cox $100 million) when they need to improve at other positions. Philadelphia also has Beau Allen and Destiny Vaeao on the roster, much cheaper and more adequate replacements than Logan.

Philadelphia is preparing itself for the loss of Logan, scouting defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Ryan Glasgow at the Senior Bowl last week. Both are expected to be mid-round selections in the draft and will cost little on their rookie deals, allowing the Eagles to spend money on other positions.

The Eagles need to add playmakers on offense for quarterback Carson Wentz and improve the cornerback position this offseason. They can afford to let the Redskins (or any other team) get into a bidding war for Logan while they spend money and invest draft picks on positions they desperately need to improve for 2017 and beyond.

While keeping Logan would be a luxury, the Eagles determined his fate once they gave Cox one of the richest contracts for an interior lineman in NFL history.