Should the Eagles Trade for Davis Mills to Fill Backup Role?

As the preseason gets underway and rosters around the league are looked at more closely, Eagles GM Howie Roseman is receiving well-deserved praise for the depth he’s been able to put together. That doesn’t mean the moves will stop, though, as cut/trade candidates are bound to pop up in the coming weeks.

Monday brought word of a shift in Houston, as the Texans will start rookie Bryce Young in their first exhibition game. Young’s quick promotion to QB1 spells the end for Davis Mills, who suddenly becomes an interesting trade target that a team could take a chance on for a relatively low price.

Should the Eagles entertain the idea? There’s certainly reasons to consider it.

Why the Eagles Should Trade for Davis Mills

Depth, Depth, Depth

Roseman’s wheeling and dealing this offseason has been about one thing: adding depth. Every Super Bowl contender knows that it’s not just an elite starting group that will get you far in the postseason; championship hopefuls must have capable backups waiting in the wings who can step up if their number is called.

There’s simply too many things that can derail a Super Bowl-worthy season. Injuries and underperforming players are two of the most obvious threats that claim unsuspecting victims every year. However, there’s also suspensions for a number of things, from off-the-field conduct, to violations of the performance-enhancing drug policy. Most recently, several playmakers have been sidelined due to gambling-related reasons as well.

No one wants to imagine a scenario where Jalen Hurts misses extended time, but it just comes with the territory of this violent game. We already saw the star nurse a serious injury at the end of last season as well, which nearly cost the Eagles home-field advantage after he missed two starts and Gardner Minshew underwhelmed in his stead.

Philadelphia needs to be prepared in case of disaster. That kind of proactive roster planning is what helped the team win the Super Bowl a few years ago, and there’s no excuses to not have an emergency plan at the game’s most important position.