The Philadelphia Eagles' bye week coincided with the trade deadline this year. This means that GM Howie Roseman is spending the break on the phone looking for upgrades to the roster ahead of the second half of the season. The most notable need for the Eagles is depth and quality among the front seven on defense, even after Brandon Graham's return from retirement. If Philadelphia is going to make a big move, it's safe to assume that it will be for a pass rusher.
Yet, that may not be as easy as it may seem. There are not that many good pass rushers available on the market, and there seems to be more buyers than sellers. This drives up the market for the few options on the trade block.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini highlighted a few of the trade scenarios that the Eagles are actively pursuing. The Eagles are not only reportedly interested in Jaelan Phillips and Jermaine Johnson, but they have also been in discussion with the Bengals. Russini revealed that LB Logan Wilson, CB Cam Taylor-Britt, and DE Trey Hendrickson have been generating interest for Cincinnati, but didn't specify for which player the Eagles are pursuing. Yet, reading between the lines, it's not too hard to deduce that Hendrickson must be the name at the top of Philadelphia's list.
Eagles Are Among NFC Contenders Trying to Poach Bengals Ahead of Trade Deadline
Unfortunately, the Eagles are not alone in their pursuit. The Rams, 49ers, Lions, and Colts are also reportedly in talks with the Bengals. At least a few of these teams, including the Lions, are expected to be on the market for Hendrickson, as well as other pass rushers.
This is what makes trading for a difference-maker at the deadline a challenge. The limited options drive up the asking price, and one has to wonder whether significant draft capital investment is worth it, especially for a player on an expiring contract like Hendrickson. Yet, the Eagles also have to consider that if they aren't willing to pay the price but one of their NFC rivals is, that could be the difference between them in the postseason, potentially causing remorse on the Eagles' side.
There is currently a ton of smoke around a potential Eagles trade. Roseman is clearly being aggressive in looking for deals. Whether that will be for a star defender who will cost a pretty penny like Hendrickson, or for a cheaper option like Phillips or Johnson, remains to be seen.