Howie Roseman is among the most aggressive general managers across the NFL, and is the furthest thing from hesitant to pull off a blockbuster trade, but eight days before the trade deadline the Philadelphia Eagles may have missed out on a top target.
Monday, the Tennessee Titans traded veteran cornerback Roger McCreary to the Los Angeles Rams, which takes not just one of the top players potentially available at one of Philadelphia’s biggest positions of need off the board but the 25-year-old lands with the NFC West leaders who could stand in the Eagles’ way of a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance.
McCreary, 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, has experience playing both out of the slot and on the perimeter, and his versatility could have been a significant addition for coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense that desperately needs help at the position.
Tyler Schank |Getty ImagesIf the Eagles are looking to upgrade at cornerback, Philadelphia can cross Roger McCreary off its trade deadline list.
So far this season, Pro Football Focus points out that McCreary has allowed 24 receptions and is fourth among cornerbacks with four quarterback pressures.
The Eagles’ defense has struggled mightily to find consistent cornerback play alongside second-year stars Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, with veterans Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo consistently being lit up by opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers.
McCreary would have added a solid veteran presence and potentially a significant upgrade at the Eagles’ biggest weakness, but after the Rams pried him away in exchange for a fifth-and sixth-round pick swap, Roseman and Philadelphia will need to look elsewhere.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie weighs in on A.J. Brown trade rumors
GettyA.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles.
A.J. Brown was reduced to being a spectator due to a hamstring injury for Sunday’s Eagles blowout win over the NFC east rival New York Giants, which did little to tamper down speculation that Philadelphia could look to move on from the star wide receiver ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
However, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie met the speculation head on and did his best to squelch it.
“We do what’s best for the team,” Lurie said, via Dianna Russini of The Athletic. “We don’t even consider it seriously unless it’s best for the Eagles. We will always do what gives us the best chance of winning big. Everything else is secondary.”
It would seem unlikely that Lurie, Roseman, and the Eagles could consider moving off arguably the most vital offensive player on the roster, even if he is unhappy with his role in the offense or his targets.
Similarly, it would be a difficult task to trade Brown’s contract, given that the 28-year-old’s deal carries a dead money charge of upwards of $43 million.
So far this season, Brown has caught 29 passes for 395 yards and three touchdowns.
There is little chance that the Eagles trading away one of the premier wide receivers in the sport, and one of Philadelphia’s most dangerous weapons would push this team closer to a Super Bowl this season or in the immediate future. More likely, the Eagles will need to find a way to maximize his impact, and keep him happy and whole the rest of the way.
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