With the NFL trade deadline looming in the background, the Philadelphia Eagles will be one of the many teams looking to acquire a pass rusher or two. Injuries, a surprise retirement, and overall lackluster play perfectly describe the Eagles’ pass rush through seven games.
The Eagles will try to remedy those issues with Brandon Graham, who officially announced on Tuesday that he would be coming out of retirement to throw on the midnight green again. While Eagles fans and players alike are happy, they should not expect Graham to be the saving grace of this unit.
If anything, Graham’s return should encourage GM Howie Roseman to go after a pass rusher between now and the deadline. Luckily for the Eagles, there are options available, depending on what they are willing to give up. The Eagles have the draft capital to go after Jermaine Johnson, Bradley Chubb, or Jaelen Phillips, who could be instant impact players.
However, since they might need CB2, the Eagles might have to temper what they give up for a pass rusher, leading them to Tennessee Titans defender Arden Key as an option.
Eagles Should Consider Trade for Arden Key Ahead of Nov. 4 Deadline
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Titans are open to trading guys who are in the last year of their deal and not part of the team’s future plans, which describes Key. The veteran outside linebacker is in the final year of a three-year, $21 million pact that he signed in 2023.
Key wouldn’t be the most appealing name for Eagles fans, but at this point, beggars cannot be choosers. The Eagles are not in a position to be picky, as they need any help they can get, as their offseason additions have been disappointments.
That said, the 29-year-old Key hasn’t been really impressive this season with the Titans. He only has six combined tackles, four QB pressures, four quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, and a tackle for loss.
While that will not excite Eagles fans, if you take Key’s sacks and quarterback pressures, he would rank fourth in sacks behind Moro Ojomo (3), Zack Baun (2), and Jordan Davis (2). And regarding QB pressures, Key would be tied for fifth with Baun and Davis.
In his previous two seasons with the Titans, Key produced 12.5 combined sacks and 37 QB pressures. Based on Key’s production in 2023 and ‘24, along with his size on the defensive line (6-foot-5), he might be worth a flier as you just need guys that can get to the QB.
The Eagles likely wouldn’t have to part with any of their high picks and could offload a Day 3 pick to the Titans, who are looking to continue to rebuild around rookie QB Cameron Ward, and whoever will be their new head coach in 2026.