The workweek wouldn’t be complete without Philadelphia Eagles trade rumors.
If you’re like every other Philadelphia Eagles fan, you probably noticed, right around the middle of the week, that something was missing from the usual “Birds” banter. Part of being a fan of this proud franchise means that our debates or conversations will often surround familiar topics like whether or not Carson Wentz is overrated, what’s going on with this team’s linebackers and secondary, and every prospect seeking a trade or release possibly joining the nest as a potential difference-maker.
As the first two weeks of June passed, we heard a lot of Carson Wentz talk. We, of course, discussed a little Darius Slay and who might start on the opposite side of the defensive formation, but there hasn’t been the constant barrage of trade rumors, at least until now.
A new linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles?
Here’s something of note (if you missed it). Recently, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin exercised the brain cells, and rather than explore the idea of popular Eagles-related trade rumors, he tossed out a few of his own. Of course, the “Birds” were mentioned.
Much has been made of what seems to be the Eagles’ lack of respect for the linebacker position. Sure, they added Jatavis Brown in free agency and drafted both Shaun Bradley and Davion Taylor, but they’ve seemingly had a revolving door at the position since Andy Reid paced the sideline. You could also argue that Taylor seems to be someone Philly will eventually convert to safety to play alongside K’Von Taylor for years to come, but that’s another story for another day.
How’s this for an idea? Benjamin thinks shipping Rasul Douglas off to the New York Jets for Avery Williamson might throw a wedge in that aforementioned revolving door. Here’s some of what he had to say.
"Howie Roseman already said no to a big-money veteran at linebacker by cutting Nigel Bradham, and between T.J. Edwards and third-round pick Davion Taylor, the Eagles have internal candidates for the (middle linebacker) job… By giving the Jets much-needed cornerback depth in Douglas, who reportedly already took a pay cut because he’s on the roster bubble, Roseman nets a former 100-tackle machine with the option to simply let him walk after 2020."
It makes a little sense. The Eagles have a lot of bodies at the cornerback position, but outside of Darius Slay, nothing’s solid. Douglas seemingly fell out of favor with the coaches in 2019. Then, there’s this. If we were to guess, he’s probably at the bottom of the depth chart at cornerback, and that’s if he’s even a serious candidate to make the squad.
Eagles vice president and general manager Howie Roseman does have the personal and professional relationship with Jets general manager Joe Douglas, but based on Williamson’s age and his $8.5 million salary-cap number, this is a move that wouldn’t make much business sense for Philadelphia. Keep in mind they have to shed a lot of salaries to get under the salary cap next season.