The Philadelphia Eagles completed a minor trade on Monday with the Atlanta Falcons. But it also seems like this deal could be clearing the way for a more substantial deal ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Philadelphia and Atlanta agreed to terms on a deal that will send defensive lineman Kentavius Street to the Falcons. Atlanta will also receive a 2025 seventh-round pick while giving the Eagles a 2024 sixth-round pick in return.
This trade fills a need for the Falcons as they look to replace star defensive lineman Grady Jarrett after his torn ACL injury. It also could be a precursor to the Eagles making a more significant trade before Tuesday’s deadline.
According to NFL insider Matt Lombardi, league sources believe this move was done so that the Eagles have an open roster spot. With that roster spot, the Eagles reportedly plan on targeting a pass rusher.
A few league sources have suggested that Howie Roseman’s top priority at the deadline is adding another edge rusher. The #Eagles trading Street to the Falcons could be a step towards that; clearing a roster spot while adding assets.
— Matt Lombardo
(@MattLombardoNFL) October 30, 2023
This report led fans to offer several possibilities on social media for the Eagles to trade for before the deadline.
Howie gonna trade for Judon, get him healthy for the playoffs and then unleash him.
— #1 Jalen Hurts Fan (@Anthony60957284) October 30, 2023
If the Eagles do indeed trade for a star pass rusher before the deadline, it would make a position of strength for them even more dangerous. They are currently just outside the top five in the NFL with 25 sacks on the year.
It wouldn’t be the first big trade that the team has made to address their defense. They notably addressed their secondary earlier this month in a trade for star safety Kevin Byard.
This could also just be pure speculation regarding another potential trade in Philadelphia. But it certainly seems like they are going for it all this season after they came up short in the Super Bowl last year.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.