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Eagles Missed Major Trade Opportunity By Not Pursuing Veteran Defender

The Eagles shockingly didn't address the defensive end position at the trade deadline despite a veteran pass rusher being available.

By Jovan Alford

Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman during pregame warmups against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field.
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman during pregame warmups against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field. / Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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Surprisingly, the Philadelphia Eagles stood pat at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline when they saw two other teams (Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys) make moves to upgrade their rosters.

In previous years, Eagles GM Howie Roseman has traded for guys such as Robert Quinn and Kevin Byard III, which didn’t work out. However, with Philadelphia needing more depth at pass rusher, this year’s trade deadline seemed like the perfect opportunity to address it.

Free-agent acquisition Bryce Huff has struggled mightily to start his Eagles’ tenure (insert sacks), so the idea of adding a pass rusher wasn’t farfetched.

One pass rusher who would have been the perfect fit for Vic Fangio’s scheme was Green Bay Packers veteran EDGE Preston Smith. The 31-year-old Smith saw his name come up in trade rumors in the weeks leading up to the deadline despite the Packers being a contender in the NFC North.

The Packers traded the veteran defender to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2025 seventh-round pick, essentially giving him away. Smith saw his production dip this season and defensive snaps decrease in the Packers’ Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions.

The 31-year-old EDGE played a season-low 21 snaps and had three combined tackles. On the season, Smith had 19 combined tackles, 11 quarterback pressures, four quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, and two tackles for loss.

If you take Smith’s sacks and QB pressures, he would be tied for third with second-year pass rusher Nolan Smith Jr. (2.5 sacks) and tied for second with Josh Sweat (11). Meanwhile, Huff has five quarterback pressures and 1.5 sacks.

Despite his age, the former Packers defender would be an upgrade over Huff and would’ve given the Eagles more depth off the edge for the second-half push.

At the same time, based on their experience with Quinn, we can’t blame Roseman for not going hard after a pass rusher. Also, Smith still carries cap hits of $13.4 million and $14.1 million for 2025 and ‘26.

Therefore, the Eagles can only hope that Huff and the rest of the defensive line build off their recent performances.

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