It felt like a matter of time before the Eagles swung a major trade. They had recently added two CBs via trade in Michael Carter and Jaire Alexander, but more moves were coming. And frankly, Howie Roseman might not be done, either.
With Jaelan Phillips now in the picture, Philly addresses another area of need and are clearly trying to again make a run - the NFC feels wide open, and it's not everyday that a team can trade for a 26-year-old, above-average pass rusher.
The dust is just now settling after this trade. Who are the winners and losers?
Winners and losers for the Eagles after the major Jaelan Phillips trade
Winner: Vic Fangio, Defensive Coordinator
Vic Fangio gets a player he once coached with the Miami Dolphins, and this was a driving force for the move. In just eight games in 2023, Phillips had 6.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 11 QB hits. He was excellent in his limited action and could regain some of that form now that he's a part of a deep DL group and back with Fangio, one of the NFL's best defensive minds.
Loser: Josh Uche, OLB
Josh Uche has three QB hits and one sack in eight games for the Eagles this year. He's played 39% of the defensive snaps and has honestly been a pretty forgettable player. I cannot imagine he doesn't see a huge drop-off in his snap counts with Phillips in the picture. Uche is an obvious loser.
Winner: Howie Roseman, General Manager
Howie Roseman has done it again, as the trade for Phillips can be more than just a half-year rental, as Phillips is still just 26 years old and does not turn 27 until next May. Phillips could be re-signed on a three or four year deal and stick around as a staple along the DL for years to come.
Roseman loves making trades and exhausts every single option to improve his team, and this is yet another stellar move by the two-time Super Bowl-winning GM to address a position of need.
Loser: Kelee Ringo and Adoree' Jackson, CB
With CBs Michael Carter and Jaire Alexander coming in via trade, and now Phillips in the picture, it's hard to imagine that Kelee Ringo and Adoree' Jackson survive on this roster now. There's a reason why Roseman addressed the CB room, as both have been forgettable this season and could easily be released or even traded for a late-round pick swap. Philly had to improve at CB, and honestly, it might not be done yet.
Winner: Brandon Graham, DE
Brandon Graham is back after a brief retirement, and while this move might be universally loved by Eagles' fans, we have to be honest here - with Phillips now in the picture, Graham can settle into more of a specified role on defense, perhaps in pass-rush only scenarios, but this also allows him to thrive as the vocal leader he's always been.
Read more:Jaelan Phillips trade leaves Vic Fangio with a brutal decision about Josh Uche
And that is where Graham is going to bring the most value for this team. He's not someone who needs to be playing even 40% of the defensive snaps, but his veteran presence could really take this defense a long way.