Eagles Mailbag: Should Howie Roseman Make a Trade After Latest Injuries?

Following a 3-0 start to the regular season, there are still plenty of questions surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles. After pulling off a miraculous comeback victory against the Los Angeles Rams last week, Philadelphia is dealing with several unexpected injuries.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made several trades during training camp and could have more in the works. Should Roseman make another deal following the team’s latest injuries? I’ll discuss that and more in my latest Eagles mailbag.

It’s always easy to hit the panic button and create hypothetical trades whenever there is a major injury. Yet I’m not sure that Roseman will rush to make a trade after placing Nolan Smith Jr. and Jakorian Bennett on injured reserve.

Roseman has put the Eagles in a relatively good spot at both edge rusher and cornerback thanks to his additions in the offseason. While losing Smith on the edge is a tough blow, the Eagles still have Azeez Ojulari, Ogbo Okoronkwo and Patrick Johnson behind likely starters Jalyx Hunt and Za’Darius Smith.

Meanwhile at cornerback, it looks like Adoree’ Jackson has a chance to play in Week 4. If he’s healthy, the Eagles will likely just elevate Kelee Ringo to CB4 and he’ll replace Bennett’s role as the top backup for the time being. The Eagles also added Eli Ricks back to the practice squad, who has familiarity with Vic Fangio’s defense after last season.

If Roseman is going to make a trade at either spot, it’ll likely be due to any struggles on the field. While Jackson was victimized by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, he has bounced back with two solid performances. Yet if he begins to struggle again, that’s when Roseman could opt to make a trade at cornerback.

Failing to re-sign Isaiah Rodgers was easily the most questionable move that Roseman made in the offseason. Yet it’s also fair to wonder if Rodgers simply wanted a change of scenery, especially one where he was essentially guaranteed a starting job.

While it would be cool to see the Eagles trade for Rodgers, I don’t see that happening. Even if the Minnesota Vikings were to lose their next three games, they likely view Rodgers as a bargain on his current contract. It wouldn’t make much sense for the Vikings to trade him.

In regards to a potential trade for a rental at cornerback, the compensation would depend on the player that the Eagles were acquiring. A team like the Cleveland Browns potentially has an option on each side of the spectrum.

Denzel Ward is a four-time Pro Bowler that is locked in on a hefty contract for two more years. He would likely cost the Eagles a first-round pick or multiple picks on day two.

Greg Newsome II is less proven, but younger and on the final year of his rookie contract. If the Eagles were willing to take a chance on his upside in a contract year, Cleveland might only be asking for a day three pick in return for him.

Trey Hendrickson, Travon Walker and Keion White are all intriguing options for different reasons. Yet White feels like the exact type of player that Roseman has traditionally targeted in trades, especially in 2025.

White is just 26-years old and has one year remaining on his rookie contract. He has seen his role decreased on the New England Patriots since the team hired Mike Vrabel and signed both Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency.

After playing 830 defensive snaps and recording 45 total pressures for the Patriots last season, White has played just 42 snaps in two games this season. If he continues to play a reduced role in New England, I could certainly see Roseman giving the Patriots a call about White as the trade deadline nears.

From the outside looking in, it doesn’t seem like the Eagles are too concerned about Nolan Smith’s injury. He has reportedly tweaked his triceps injury that he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

While Smith will reportedly avoid surgery, it does seem like he needs more time for the injury to properly heal. Smith plays an incredibly aggressive brand of football and that certainly takes a toll on his body.

Smith’s triceps injury was the first significant injury that he has suffered in the NFL, but he also tore his pectoral muscle during his final season at Georgia. If these injuries continue to pile up, Smith might have to change his style.

Philadelphia’s passing offense has been a hot topic in the City of Brotherly Love. Yet the team’s struggles to run the ball efficiently should actually be receiving more attention. It has a ripple effect on the offense as a whole.

Following Saquon Barkley’s historic season in 2024, many simply assumed that he would produce at that level this year. That hasn’t been the case, as the Eagles have averaged just 3.7 yards per rushing attempt, which is tied for 25th in the NFL.

I’d also agree with both of your takes on Tyler Steen and Landon Dickerson. Steen certainly isn’t the powerful force that Mekhi Becton was, while Dickerson clearly isn’t healthy. Yet I’m not sure that a healthy Matt Pryor would be much better than a banged up Dickerson.

While it’s easy to assume that Philadelphia’s rushing offense will just be better as Steen gets stronger and Dickerson gets healthier, I’m still concerned. Barkley is being bottled up and Jalen Hurts has barely been featured as a runner thus far. There is still plenty of time to improve but it’s fair to be worried right now.

I’m not sure that the Eagles changed up their play-calling much in the second half of Week 3. It simply felt like Jalen Hurts was a little less hesitant and players were winning their one-on-one matchups, both down the field and in the blocking game.

In my opinion, the play-calling changes need to come in the running game. Philadelphia should be utilizing Cam Jurgens as a puller far more often, while also dialing up more designed runs for Hurts as well.

Philadelphia’s offense can function at a much higher level when defenses have to account for Hurts as a threat to run. If the Eagles can keep Tampa Bay’s defensive front guessing, that will open up everything else.

The Eagles are viewed by many as the best team in the NFL right now. Yet the rest of the NFC East has taken a hit of a step back in 2025. Although the Giants could be on the rise after finally handing Jaxson Dart the QB1 job.

In my opinion, the NFC North is the best division in the NFL right now. The Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are three of the best teams in the conference. While the Chicago Bears have shown signs of life under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.