The Philadelphia Eagles just got bounced from the 2026 playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers, and honestly, the vibes in Philly are exactly what you’d expect. Chaos. Speculation. A whole lot of refreshing Twitter.
Everyone is looking at the roster and wondering who stays and who gets shipped out. If you've lived through more than one Howie Roseman offseason, you know the man doesn't just sit on his hands. He’s probably on his third phone charger of the day already. The NFL Eagles trade rumors are heating up because this team, while talented, felt "off" for chunks of the 2025 season.
We saw it in the Wild Card loss. 41 million people watched Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey exploit gaps that shouldn’t have been there. Now, the questions are getting loud. Is A.J. Brown actually happy? Can they afford to keep the guys they traded for at the deadline? What happens to the draft capital?
The A.J. Brown Situation Nobody Wants to Talk About
Let's get real about A.J. Brown.
The guy is a superstar. 78 catches, over 1,000 yards, and seven scores in 2025. On paper, you don't trade that. But the rumor mill is churning because the financial math is getting tricky and the "body language" experts are having a field day. Brown is under contract through 2029, but there is basically zero guaranteed money left after 2026.
If the Eagles decide to move him before June 1, they take a massive $43.5 million dead cap hit. That’s a pill almost no GM is willing to swallow. However, a post-June 1 trade saves about $7 million this year. It's not just about the money, though. It's about whether the relationship has soured to the point of no return.
Howie Roseman has been adamant in the past. He calls A.J. a leader. He loves the "C" on his chest. But in Philly, things change fast. If a team like the Raiders or Titans (who have massive cap space in 2026) comes calling with a haul of picks, do you think Howie doesn't at least pick up the phone?
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Why the Jaelan Phillips Gamble Changes Everything
Remember the trade deadline? It feels like forever ago.
Roseman went on a spree, snagging Michael Carter II, Jaire Alexander, and Jaelan Phillips. Phillips was the big one. The Eagles gave up a 2026 third-round pick for him. He’s been a beast on the edge, but he’s hitting unrestricted free agency now.
This is where the NFL Eagles trade rumors get interesting.
If the Eagles can't reach a long-term deal with Phillips—who is likely looking for $20 million plus per year—they might have to pivot. Some analysts, like the folks over at Philly Front Office, suggest that if they pay Phillips, someone like Nolan Smith becomes trade bait.
- Nolan Smith is still young.
- He has that "first-round pedigree" teams crave.
- The Eagles have depth, but they can't pay everyone.
It’s a domino effect. If you keep the expensive veteran, you trade the cheap, developing asset to recoup the picks you lost in the first place. That is classic Roseman.
Defensive Backfield: Is Jaire Alexander a Short-Term Rental?
Adding Jaire Alexander was a "win now" move. But Jaire isn't exactly a quiet guy, and he’s expensive.
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The Eagles secondary had its moments in 2025, finishing as a top-10 unit against the pass under Vic Fangio and Christian Parker. But Parker is already interviewing for defensive coordinator jobs elsewhere—specifically with the Cowboys. If the coaching staff shifts, does the personnel plan shift too?
Michael Carter II is another one. His cap hit is scheduled to jump from $1.2M to over $10M. For a guy who played limited snaps, that is a prime "trade or cut" candidate. The Eagles are sitting on about $20 million in effective cap space for 2026. That sounds like a lot, but it disappears in about five minutes when you start talking about Pro Bowl corners.
The Tanner McKee Value Trap
Everyone loves a backup QB until they actually have to play.
Tanner McKee has been the "preseason darling" for a minute now. The word around the NovaCare Complex is that he’s a "walking second-round pick."
Howie Roseman has a history of flipping backup QBs for way more than they’re worth. Think Kevin Kolb. Think Sam Bradford (kinda). If a team is desperate—and looking at the 2026 QB market, someone always is—McKee might be the piece that helps the Eagles move up in the draft.
The Eagles currently have nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They don't need more picks, but they need higher picks. Trading a backup QB to move into the top 15? That has Howie's fingerprints all over it.
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Roster Holes That Demand a Move
- Tight End: Behind Dallas Goedert, it’s a ghost town. Goedert himself only has one year left.
- Offensive Line: Lane Johnson isn't getting younger. He's hinted at retiring after 2026. They need a successor, and they might need to trade up to get a "Stoutland University" graduate.
- Wide Receiver Depth: Jahan Dotson didn't exactly set the world on fire. If A.J. Brown stays, they still need a reliable WR3. If he goes, they need a miracle.
How to Track the Real Rumors
Don't believe everything you see on a random TikTok.
Watch the "post-June 1" designations. That is the magic date for the Eagles' front office. Any trade involving big names like A.J. Brown or even Zack Baun (if Nakobe Dean gets a massive extension) will likely happen after that window opens to spread out the cap pain.
Also, keep an eye on the Houston Texans. Since 2022, Howie has made eight trades with Nick Caserio. If the Eagles are looking for a veteran offensive lineman or a rotational edge rusher, the Houston-to-Philly pipeline is usually the first place to look.
Your Next Steps for Following the Offseason
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just watch the headlines.
First, check the compensatory pick projections on Over The Cap. The Eagles are expecting picks for Milton Williams and Josh Sweat, which gives them more "ammunition" to be aggressive in trades.
Second, watch the coaching carousel. If Christian Parker leaves for Dallas, the Eagles' defensive philosophy might lean even harder into "hybrid" players, making guys like Jihaad Campbell indispensable and veterans like Baun potential trade chips.
Finally, keep an eye on the 5th-year options for Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith this May. If the Eagles pick up Smith’s option, the trade rumors might cool off. If they don't? Expect him to be on a different team by training camp.
The 2026 offseason isn't just about filling holes; it's about Howie Roseman trying to keep the Super Bowl window propped open with a heavy-duty crowbar. Buckle up.