The Philadelphia Eagles actively tried to fix their defense at the NFL trade deadline, making a couple of splashy moves to trade for player who were great a few years ago hoping they might have something left in the tank.
The headliner was a deal for Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who should step in and become Philly’s top pass rusher from the jump.
The other deal was for cornerback Jaire Alexander, who is already showing the Eagles why other teams previously decided the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
“Eagles ruled out CB Jaire Alexander for Monday night’s game in Green Bay,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on November 9. “The team believes he still is acclimating to the defensive system, still recovering from a knee injury and it decided it was best for him to stay back to focus on his recovery and preparations for the remainder of the season.”
While an injury is one thing, not being able to understand basic defensive concepts is another — especially when Philadelphia is so desperate to put someone in at the other starting outside cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
The Eagles traded a 2026 sixth round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for Alexander and a 2027 seventh round pick on November 1 – a deal that may end up regretting.
Eagles Already Traded for Cornerback
The deal for Alexander was the second time this year the Eagles have tried to make a move for a cornerback after veterans Adoree Jackson and Kelee Ringo kept coming up shot early in the year.
On August 4, the Eagles traded defensive lineman Thomas Booker IV to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for cornerback and 2023 fourth round pick (No. 104 overall) Jakorian Bennett.
Bennett, however, hasn’t played since injuring his pec in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams but should be back for Monday Night Football against the Packers.
“I said it before the Eagles acquired Jaire Alexander but I’d really like to see Jakorian Bennett get a chance to start for the Eagles,” The Philly Special’s Anthony DiBona wrote on his official X account on November 9 .”Philadelphia has already seen what Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo can do as starters. Bennett deserves the opportunity to show what he can do.”
Alexander’s History of Being Completely Unreliable
Alexander was one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks just a few years ago with the Green Bay Packers, but a history of injuries and erratic behavior ended his time there when he was released on June 9 — almost 3 years to the day from when they signed him to a 4-year, $84 million contract extension.
Alexander signed a 1-year, $4 million free agent contract with the Ravens and quickly showed why the Packers didn’t want him as the Ravens blew a 15-point fourth quarter lead against the Buffalo Bills in the season opener.
No one was worse than Alexander, who was the worst graded defender for the Ravens with a 29.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, putting him 106th out of 107 eligible NFL cornerbacks for the opening week.
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