Shocked, like a blindside hit, Dorian Thompson-Robinson never saw it coming. Then the phone rang.
The new Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback wasn’t expecting to be on the move, but sure enough he found out the Cleveland Browns were trading him to the Eagles less than two years after being taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Eagles acquired him from the Browns in exchange for backup quarterback Kenny Pickett and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
"Getting the call it's a shock," Thompson-Robinson admitted when speaking with the media this past week. But the young quarterback quickly shifted to excitement, recalling his pre-draft experience with the Eagles. "I took a top-30 visit here and loved it. To be back here is a good feeling for sure."
Pickett, on the other hand, was not completely shocked by the trade. During exit meetings after winning the Super Bowl, the Eagles told Pickett that they were likely going to trade him this offseason, he just did not know the destination.
Yes, he was surprised it was Cleveland, but at least he had a heads up he would likely be on the move after one season playing for his favorite team growing up.
The Eagles had strong interest in Thompson-Robinson during the 2023 draft process, bringing him in for a visit and meeting with him at the NFL Combine. Now, they’ve finally landed him, adding a dynamic, mobile quarterback to their room behind Jalen Hurts.
While he loved everything about his time in Philadelphia before the 2023 draft, he couldn't have loved his performance during his short stint in Cleveland.
Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick by the Browns in 2023, appeared in 15 games over two seasons with Cleveland, including five starts. He completed 52.6% of his passes for 880 yards, throwing one touchdown against ten interceptions and 14 sacks. He contributed 187 rushing yards over 35 attempts, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
The numbers are not faltering, but a potential fresh start, learning under Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, could be the best move for all parties.
Beyond football, Thompson-Robinson and Hurts share an unexpected connection—chess. The two quarterbacks have crossed paths before through a mutual chess mentor, and the former Browns QB is eager to continue that conversation in Philadelphia.
"I’ll have to ask (Jalen) a little bit about chess," Thompson-Robinson said. "I’ve been a fan and admiring Jalen for quite some time now."
That admiration goes back to Hurts’ college days at Alabama and Oklahoma, where Thompson-Robinson watched him closely. Now, he finds himself in the same quarterback room as the player he once looked up to.
The 25-year-old also made it clear he’s not excited to learn from Hurts on the chess board. "I want to play Hurts," he said, about his desire to challenge Hurts in a game of chess.
Thompson-Robinson’s introduction to chess traces back to his time at UCLA under none other than former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. He believes his love for chess — which he says he’s good at —will translate onto the football field, especially when it comes to decision-making.
"So much of this position is about decision-making, and so I think that’s really all chess is, Thompson-Robinson explained. It’s just a board just to make decisions on. Every decision means something. You have to be consistent in that. I think that’s really how it helps playing quarterback and really all positions. It’s just being able to take that same mentality and mindset into the game and know that you have to be locked in for a full four quarters."
The Eagles’ offseason has been marked by strategic acquisitions aimed at bolstering their roster with high-upside talent. Notable signings include cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who brings eight years of NFL experience to Philadelphia’s secondary, and pass rusher Joshua Uche, a 26-year-old standout eager to make an impact after joining on a one-year deal.
Thompson-Robinson is perhaps just another small chess piece in the Eagles’ early offseason moves, as they continue to bring in role players and potential backups with significant upside.