Rumors swirl around Eagles in trade market
Trade winds continue to blow through the streets of Philadelphia and will keep right on whipping until the trade deadline passes or executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman and his right-hand man, vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas, makes a deal.
The belief was something could happen in the 10 days between games the Eagles had from last Thursday night against the New York Giants to Sunday’s 1 p.m. game against the Carolina Panthers. All has been quiet, so far. That doesn’t mean it will remain that way right up until the trade deadline arrives at 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 30.
“We’re constantly looking to add value, add talent if we can,” said head coach Doug Pederson. “Something Howie and Joe and the guys are constantly aware of and monitoring, and we’ll see as we get closer to the deadline.”
There is no shortage of the direction the Eagles could go in the trade market. Running back, receiver, safety, defensive tackle, or offensive line could all use an upgrade. They have two second-round picks in the 2019 draft and could possibly land a premier talent with that sort of draft capital.
Typically, deals are done as the clock begins to click closer to that 4 p.m. deadline. Perhaps an asking price for a player comes down. Maybe the Eagles feel a sense of desperation in one area to go out and get somebody.
Last year, the Eagles made a move at the deadline, acquiring running back Jay Ajayi from the Miami Dolphins for a fourth-round pick in Week 9. To say Ajayi provided a spark is an understatement. He went on to lead the team in rushing in three postseason games, gaining 184 yards.
There probably won’t be a repeat of that since Ajayi went on injured reserve two weeks ago following knee surgery.
Ajayi is one of a handful of key players the Eagles have had to put on IR this season, and maybe whatever they decide to trade for – assuming they make a deal – will be depend on who they expect to get back.
For instance, defensive tackle Tim Jernigan could be close to making his season debut after being put on the physically unable to perform list to start the year after having offseason back surgery. Receiver Mike Wallace may also be able to return at some point.
Quarterback Carson Wentz was asked about the spark a potential trade could have.
“First of all, that’s not my job,” he said. “My job is to focus on the guys we have, the guys in the locker room, and do my best to get everyone involved. Outside all of that, I don’t look into that. I feel extremely confident with who we have. Love those guys. We’re all going to battle every day with each other, for each other, I love this team and where we’re at.”
SERIES HISTORY: 11th regular-season meeting. Eagles lead series, 7-3. The Eagles are 3-2 against the Panthers at home in the regular season, but they lost to Carolina on the Panthers’ last trip through Philly, 45-21, four years ago. And who in Philadelphia can forget the 14-3 win Carolina had in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 18, 2004? Both quarterbacks struggled that day, with the Panthers’ Jake Delhomme completing just 9 of 14 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown and the Eagles’ Donovan McNabb going 10-for-22 for 100 yards and three interceptions before yielding to Koy Detmer, who was 7-for-14 for 88 yards and one pick.
