Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman operates in a perpetual state of being “all-in.”
Shortly after the Pittsburgh Steelers shipped safety Minkah Fitzpatrick off to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that interest in former Defensive Player of The Year and four-time All-Pro T.J. Watt is surging around the league.
If Watt ultimately becomes available, trading for Watt is the kind of blockbuster move that Roseman has developed a reputation for making and that has helped turn the Eagles into perpetual Super Bowl contenders over the past half decade.
Eagles Linked to Potential T.J. Watt Blockbuster Trade
Scott Taetsch | Getty The Philadelphia Eagles could be uniquely positioned to acquire Steelers All-Pro T.J. Watt.
Whether it is a draft night trade to acquire A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans, rounding out one of the premier receiver duos in the sport or taking a flier on former first-round draft choice Jahan Dotson and his accompanying upside, Roseman isn’t a stranger to bold trades for top talent.
Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh suggests that if Roseman called Steelers general manager Omar Khan offering Nolan Smith and a draft pick that it might be all it takes to pry Watt away.
“You know, the Eagles, once upon a time, traded Kiko Alonso for Shady McCoy,” Fillipponi said, during an appearance on 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia. “The Steelers just traded Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jalen Ramsey. I used to just live in a world where I was like, ‘Alright, maybe a first-round pick is all you get back.’ But maybe there would be players involved. Like, if the Eagles called up the Steelers and said, ‘We want T.J. Watt. We’ll trade you Nolan Smith and a late-round pick.’ I think they make that trade. I really do.
“I think that would be the type of thing that would get Mike Tomln’s attention. Especially if he thinks T.J. Watt doesn’t want to play here and is too expensive and is 30 years old. So, I don’t know. I mean, I would think originally, ‘Hey, a first-round pick and then you go from there.’ But maybe they would want a player based on how things went with the Dolphins trade.”
Watt is one of the true difference-makers at a premium position that Roseman and the Eagles philosophically place a significantly outsized premium on, and would elevate an already dominant pass rush that sacked Patrick Mahomes six times in Super Bowl LIX, without even blitzing.
Through his first eight seasons, Watt has produced 108 sacks, reaching double digit sacks six times in his career, including a personal-best 22.5 in 2021, when he took home Defensive Player of The Year honors.
Trading Smith for Watt would be a move that sacrifices some of the 24-year-old, former first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft class’s potential, but could significantly bolster Philadelphia’s chances at winning multiple Super Bowls in the next three seasons.
There is little question that Watt would be a significant upgrade to a unit that is one of the Eagles’ strengths but is entering this season looking to replace the production lost from Josh Sweat and Milton Williams‘ free agent departures.
Could the Eagles Afford to Trade for T.J. Watt?
GettyPhiladelphia Eagles general manager, Howie Roseman celebrating victory in Super Bowl LIX at the parade in Philadelphia, February 2025.
In all likelihood, the Steelers and Watt will reach some sort of agreement, ending a bitter contract impasse that has hung over Pittsburgh throughout the offseason.
However, if Watt ultimately becomes available, Roseman and the Eagles are well positioned to capitalize on the strife between the 30-year-old playmaker and the Steelers.
As training camp nears, the Eagles still have upwards of $30.78 million in cap space this season, are projected to have approximately $17.72 million on hand in 2026, and $95.92 million in spending flexibility in 2027.
Likewise, given the fact that the Eagles play in the NFC can’t hurt Roseman’s chances of striking a deal, because Khan, Tomlin and the Steelers would likely prefer not to have to face Watt on the road to a Super Bowl in the AFC.
With ample cap space, at least a passing need in upgrading the pass rush, and Watt’s track record as one of the most disruptive players at his position, Roseman and the Eagles may be positioned to pull off one of the biggest moves of the offseason.
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