Every NFL team has areas for improvement. Football’s salary cap system and free agency often necessitate patching positional holes. That’s what the Philadelphia Eagles are experiencing. If not for their cap, Isaiah Rodgers and Josh Sweat might still be on the roster.
The mass exodus we witnessed in March, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, didn’t surprise anyone. It was impossible to keep Sweat, Rodgers, Milton Williams, or Darius Slay because of what they would command in terms of salary. Still, each of their absences creates roster holes, and Howie Roseman and company have been trying to replace these guys ever since.
We are near another essential date on pro football’s calendar, the NFL trade deadline. Following Za’Darius Smith’s retirement announcement, the spotlight cast on Philadelphia’s edge rushers shines brighter than it once did.
If Roseman and his staff wish to execute a trade to bring in reinforcements or a game-changer, they have until November 4th to do so. Here are the best options they seem to have. Some, in all honesty, are better and/or more realistic options than others.
Arden Key is eligible for free agency after this season. He turns 30 on May 3rd, which often serves as a scarlet letter for NFL stars. Edge rushers aren’t like running backs, though.
The good ones can play well into their 30s and be productive. See Brandon Graham. Make no mistake. This guy here still has plenty of fuel in the tank, and he could be reinvigorated by the chance to play for a contender.
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals – $25,166,668 cap hit
This seems the most unrealistic possibility, but you never know with Howie Roseman. We all watched Trey Hendrickson’s drama unfold during the offseason. Ultimately, he stayed with the Cincinnati Bengals and is being paid a small fortune during his contract season.
As is the case with Key (and everyone else on this list), his addition would probably need an extension attached to it, and for a team that will eventually need to pay Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, and Jalen Carter, making that type of long-term investment makes this seem like a dream acquisition that could never happen.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants – $9,980,648 2025 cap hit
Kayvon Thibodeaux hasn’t really lived up to expectations, which is partially why the New York Giants added Brian Burns in free agency and Abdul Carter during the draft, but if he can ever live up to his potential, Thibodeaux is just as good as anyone the Birds already have on the roster, if not better.
Would the Giants trade him in-division, though? That seems unlikely. That is, unless they’ve convinced themselves, after their Week 6 win over the Eagles, that they’re the top dogs in the NFC East and Philadelphia no longer poses a threat. That too seems unlikely, but the Giants are interesting because they have so many good edge rushers.
This is the fourth year of his rookie deal. The Giants have exercised his fifth-year option, making him a $14,751,000 cap hit and a free agent to be in 2027.
Jermaine Johnson II, New York Jets – $4,168,912 cap hit
This one is interesting for obvious reasons. Joe Douglas drafted Jermaine Johnson while with the New York Jets, but he has returned to the Eagles as a senior personnel director. The Jets aren’t winning and may begin stocking picks for the future. The potential asking price for Johnson is uncertain, but he’s in his contract year with his fifth-year option already having been exercised. He will be paid $13,411,000 next season and is eligible for free agency in 2027.