By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
It's a big week in the NFL as the new league year begins on March 14. The legal tampering period, the time when teams can start talking to pending free agents, begins on Monday at noon. Before the new league year begins on Wednesday, the Eagles still need to shed $9.5 million in cap room. That doesn't look to be stopping them from retaining one of their top-tier players in cornerback Patrick Robinson.
The #Eagles are working to retain CB Patrick Robinson, sources say, and the expectation is they do it before the tampering window starts. After signing a 1-year deal in 2017, Robinson emerged as one of Philly’s stars. Now he should be back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2018
In 16 regular season games for the Eagles, Robinson tallied 38 tackles and four interceptions. He had one interception for a touchdown in the playoffs. If the organization hangs on to Robinson, he'll be the veteran among a group of young corners that includes Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Sidney Jones and newly-acquired Daryl Worley. It doesn't seem likely that they'll keep all of them and there has been rumblings about Darby being a potential trade candidate.
Robinson was a big part of the Eagles defense all season. He signed a $1 million deal heading into the season and now there's a good chance he becomes one of the top slot corners on the free agent market. Robinson's highlight play from the season came during the NFC Championship Game against the Vikings. His first quarter interception turned the momentum in the Eagles' favor and the rest was history.
On March 1, NJ.com's Matt Lombardo reported that the Eagles and Robinson had started talking about a long-term extension to keep him in Philadelphia. The Eagles have exclusive negotiating rights with him prior to the new league year beginning on March 14.
Here's a full list of Eagles that will hit free agency on Wednesday: Nigel Bradham, Trey Burton, Patrick Robinson, Beau Allen, Darren Sproles, Corey Graham, LeGarrette Blount, Kenjon Barner, Najee Goode, Caleb Sturgis, Dannell Ellerbe, Will Beatty, Bryan Braman, Jaylen Watkins.
