Amid everything going on during the Philadelphia Eagles' offseason, they have been linked to potential trades, including the Las Vegas Raiders' five-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby.
The Eagles are reportedly among the seven teams keeping tabs on Crosby's availability and exploring a potential acquisition. Crosby has stayed out of the public conversation about his trade rumors, and the Raiders are not as willing to part ways with their top player and would need two first-round picks to even consider it.
It has left many wondering whether the Eagles should go all in on Crosby and make the trade, or keep negotiating with their pending free agent edge rusher, Jaelan Phillips, to get a long-term deal done. This decision may not be as difficult as some might think.
Eagles have a simple decision to make with Maxx Crosby trade
Phillips made a massive impact on the Eagles when the team traded for him midway through the season. Philly struggled with their pass rush to start the season and had several key injuries, including Nolan Smith Jr. Just the presence of Phillips completely flipped the whole season around for the defense as he finished the year ninth in the NFL in pressures (73) and fifth in hurries (57).
Everyone knows the kind of impact that Crosby can have on any team, as he will make any playoff team into an instant Super Bowl contender. For the Eagles, though, this might not be the best course of action.
Giving up two first-round picks when the Eagles are already tight on the salary cap for the future is not what the team wants to do. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman wants to draft, develop, and re-sign within the franchise. Phillips is an exception since he knew how to play in Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme from when they were in Miami.
Roseman has to account for the fact that Jordan Davis needs a contract extension this offseason, and Jalen Carter will need at least his fifth-year option to be picked up. Not to mention, in the next few years, guys like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean will need top dollar to be brought back onto the team.
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Crosby would be a great player to have on the team, but the future of the franchise is more important than anything. Trading for him would cripple the Eagles for years, potentially leading to the loss of their top young players.