/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73954447/2191776933.0.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "The Linc – Eagles earn good grades for their trade with the Browns")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73954447/2191776933.0.jpg "The Linc – Eagles earn good grades for their trade with the Browns")
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Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …
2025 NFL free agency, trade grades: Chase Young, Charvarius Ward – ESPN+
Eagles get: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, 2025 fifth-round pick. Browns get: QB Kenny Pickett. Eagles trade: A. Browns trade: D. A year ago, the Eagles traded for Pickett by giving a package that, by our draft pick calculations, was roughly equivalent to a borderline fifth- or sixth-round pick. Forty-three pass attempts later and now the Browns have given up a fifth-round selection plus Thompson-Robinson for a more expensive year of Pickett (he’ll cost them $2.6 million in cash this year as opposed to a little under for $2 million for the Eagles last year). I don’t see the logic. The Browns need a quarterback, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t believe that the team — which is highly leveraged against the cap and needs all the draft capital it can muster — ought to be burning picks on someone like Pickett. The former first-rounder — who ranked 20th in QBR his rookie season but dropped to 27th in 2023 before being discarded by the Steelers — has plenty of equivalents who could surely be acquired without giving up a fifth-round pick (and Thompson-Robinson). Cleveland’s focus at quarterback surely is on the draft, and rightfully so. But the Browns probably could have done just as well, and maybe better (Kirk Cousins?!) without having to make this deal.
Kenny Pickett trade: Eagles send backup quarterback to Browns for draft pick and QB – BGN
All told, a good move by Howie Roseman. They added ammo for the 2025 NFL Draft, they cleared some cap space, they arguably upgraded the QB2, and they even added a QB3 option.
This is a good process and outcome for Howie Roseman. Last season, he traded a third-round pick (No. 98 overall) and two 2025 seventh-round picks for Pickett and a fourth-round pick (No. 120 overall). The Eagles had one year of Pickett as backup with starting experience, and Pickett did his job — he helped the Eagles win a game while Jalen Hurts was injured. That also bought time for McKee to develop, because it was unknown at this time last year how McKee would develop. McKee looked like the superior quarterback during the summer and impressed in his Week 18 start, so there should be confidence that he can step into a No. 2 role. But the Eagles did not know that last March, which was why Pickett was a fine bet to make one year ago. One year later, they still get decent compensation — I thought they should shoot for a sixth-round pick — and Thompson-Robinson will compete for the No. 3 job. This worked well for the Eagles. It happened quickly enough that they were able to save $2.62 million against the cap and also avoid trying to find a taker after backup jobs are filled. There’s some risk in going into the season without a backup quarterback with notable starting experience, but Year 3 for McKee is a good time to turn that role over to him. Plus, with Jalen Hurts getting more expensive, there’s tremendous value in a No. 2 quartebrack with a $1.08 million cap hit. This was a win for the Eagles.
The Offseason is Underway – Iggles Blitz
I love this trade. It makes Tanner McKee the primary backup. Anyone who watched him play last year could see that’s a guy you want on the field. He’s not going to beat out Jalen Hurts, but gives the Eagles a good backup QB. The Eagles gain some cap room with the move. They add a fifth round pick. You can still find solid players at that point. Jeremiah Trotter Jr and Kenny Gainwell were recent picks in the fifth round. The Eagles added stars like Trent Cole and Brent Celek in the fifth. That’s a good pick. It is valuable to a team like the Eagles that needs depth. You can find good role players at that stage of the draft. The Eagles also get Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR). I’ve liked him since his days at UCLA. He is a really good athlete and has potential as a passer. He has not developed well in Cleveland. DTR has 1 TD and 10 INTs. The Eagles coaches have their work cut out for them. They have done a good job with Hurts and McKee so maybe they can bring out the best in DTR. I’ll cover him in a post on a quiet day in the future.
Trade! Browns swap QBs, add former 1st round pick – Dawgs By Nature
Cleveland holds the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, which could be used to select a quarterback, despite pushback from one NFL insider recently. Pickett could be given a shot to compete for the starting job with the hope that one season in Philadelphia helped turn his career around in similar ways that we’ve seen from Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold in recent seasons. In one start for the Eagles last year, when Jalen Hurts was out injured, Pickett completed 25 of 42 passes for 291 yards, tow touchdowns and one interception in a 41-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Currently, Pickett is the only healthy quarterback under contract for the Browns and provides the team with, at worst, experienced depth at the position. Mary Kay Cabot is reporting that Pickett will compete but a veteran quarterback and a long-term rookie are still the plan.
The young Eagles who benefit most from early free agency exodus – NBCSP
Josh Sweat ———> Jalyx Hunt. Like Williams, Sweat also had a great Super Bowl LIX with 2 1/2 sacks and cashed in on a four-year deal with the Cardinals that is reportedly worth $76.4 million. Hunt, 23, was a third-round pick last season out of Houston Christian. Because he was considered to be a raw talent, many thought Hunt would have a redshirt season; he was even a healthy scratch in Week 1. But Hunt eventually began to carve out a role on defense and played in 16 games (1 start) and played 241 defensive snaps. Hunt had 1 1/2 sacks in the regular season and then had another 1 1/2 in the playoffs, including half a sack in the Super Bowl. After having a pressure rate of 7.4% in the regular season, Hunt’s pressure rate jumped to 12.9% in the playoffs. After having 9 pressures in 16 games in the regular season, Hunt had 8 pressures in 4 playoff games.
Milton Williams will be the centerpiece of the Patriots’ new-look defense – SB Nation
For all the reasons above, Milton Williams is now one of the NFL’s highest-paid interior disruptors, and he’s earned every bit of it. Now, the Patriots will benefit from his skill set. And when you imagine a New England front four consisting of Williams, Landry, Christian Barmore, and Keion White as the primary instigators, it’s fair to say that opposing quarterbacks and ballcarriers won’t appreciate it one little bit.
What will be his role? Following a season in which the Patriots ranked last in the league, they needed help on their defensive line. Williams will immediately fit into Terrell Williams’ defense as they transition to more aggressive four-down fronts — primarily from a 3T or 4i alignment. After not playing over 50 percent of the Eagles defensive snaps in a season, Williams should be expected to see an uptick in snaps (especially if Christian Barmore is sidelined). What is his growth potential? While it’s fair to question how effective Williams will be away from Jalen Carter and a talented defensive line, the soon-to-be 26-year-old has seen his game level up every year as a pro. Now working with Terrell Williams and Vrabel, Williams will look to pair his pass rushing ability with his former success on the ground to become one of the top well-rounded defensive tackles in football.
Arizona Cardinals to sign Josh Sweat to four-year deal per reports – Revenge Of The Birds
The splash is here, as the Arizona Cardinals and free agent edge rusher Josh Sweat are in agreement to a four-year, $76.4 million deal with $41 million guaranteed. This is a nice rebound after missing out on Milton Williams, and while it does not mean the Cardinals are done adding free agents, it does allow them to refocus on adding defensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft, a class that is deep with talent and has different styles of defensive linemen they can pursue. For the Cardinals, adding Sweat to a room with Zaven Collins, B.J. Ojulari, and Baron Browning is a nice get. He can be the alpha in the room, will lead knowing the defense for Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis already, and take some pressure off of the other three.
CB Isaiah Rodgers Agrees to Two-Year Deal with the Minnesota Vikings – Daily Norseman
The Minnesota Vikings and Free Agent CB Isaiah Rodgers have agreed to a two-year deal worth $15 million. The deal includes $8 million in fully guaranteed money.
Bengals land Eagles defender Oren Burks – Cincy Jungle
But from Week 17 through the Super Bowl, Burks played an average of 56.7 defensive snaps per game, including 55 in the blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. During that stretch, he had an 84.1 PFF grade, ranking 12th among all NFL linebackers. He had an 87.7 grade in the Super Bowl. A big part of that was due to the injury to Eagles starter Nakobe Dean, which allowed Burks to come in and thrive in the former’s absence. This comes as starting linebacker Germaine Pratt recently requested a trade, though there’s a real chance the Bengals will end up cutting him instead. Then again, with Burks getting a fairly minimal deal, you have to wonder if keeping Pratt is still on the table. On the surface, this certainly looks like one of the best value signings any NFL team will make in free agency this year.
Steelers to sign veteran CB Darius Slay – Behind The Steel Curtain
While all the attention is on what the Pittsburgh Steelers will do at quarterback after trading for superstar receiver D.K. Metcalf and signing him to a massive $150 million extension, the Steelers have added a veteran free-agent cornerback to help solidify that room. Super Bowl champion Darius Slay is signing with the Steelers, per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. Slay was recently released by the Eagles after helping Philadelphia defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. [BLG Note: This deal reportedly isn’t done yet.]
“No deal yet” for Darius Slay – PFT
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, there’s “no deal yet” in place for Slay. Slay is indeed talking to the Steelers. The Eagles also might keep him. Slay remains under contract with the Eagles, but he has permission to speak to other teams to discuss a possible trade. Nothing is expected to be finalized until Wednesday.
NFL free agency: Day 1 NFC East recap – PhillyVoice
I liked what the Commanders did in free agency last year, and in 2025 they entered free agency loaded up with cap space and a chance to continue to build around emerging star quarterback Jayden Daniels. I kinda hate what they’ve done so far this year, beginning with their trade for Deebo Samuel a about a week ago, and continuing into Day 1 of free agency. But we’ll save the more aggressive love and hate for each team until we grade their free agency periods in full in a couple weeks. […] If you cancel out the 4th round picks, the Commanders basically gave up a 2, a 3, and a 7 for Laremy Tunsil, who will also count for $21,350,000 on the Commanders’ cap each of the next two seasons. Is Tunsil better than guys like Brandon Coleman and Cornelius Lucas, who both started games at LT for Washington last season? Of course. But he will also turn 31 before Week 1, and he led the NFL in penalties last season.
The Washington Commanders have been active in free agency and the trade market after their unexpected 12-5 season. They made it to the NFC Championship game in their first season under new GM Adam Peters, and they’re looking to capitalize on QB Jayden Daniels rookie contract. Adam Schefter has reported that Washington is trading for Houston Texans LT Laremy Tunsil.
Cowboys free agency: Dallas loses Chauncey Golston to Giants – Blogging The Boys
Not only are they losing him, but he is moving to an NFC East rival, the New York Giants. Golston had hung around the bottom of the Cowboys roster until last year when he had his best season. Injuries to guys like Sam Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons meant plenty of playing time for Golston. He took advantage with 56 tackles and 5.5 sacks. The hope is that Sam Williams will be back this year, and DeMarcus Lawrence is still an option in free agency, as is Carl Lawson. The Cowboys will need to make some moves with little depth at the position at this moment.
New York Giants free agency: Darius Slayton returns to New York – Big Blue View
The New York Giants are bringing back wide receiver Darius Slayton, per multiple reports. Slayton reportedly returns on a three-year, $36 million deal, a fitting reward for a player who has consistently been the Giants’ best receiver since being drafted in 2019. It seemed as though Slayton was destined to leave the Giants, but they’ve retained one of their most veteran players.
Asante Samuel Jr.: Knocked for his poor tackling and inability to play press coverage, Samuel is a playmaker who steadily improved in his Chargers tenure. He’d be a big asset in the right system. […] Azeez Ojulari: The Giants never seemed to trust Ojulari on a down-to-down basis, but the man can rush the passer. At worst, he’s a useful situational edge rusher. […] Mekhi Becton: A mauler in the run game, Becton’s career was reborn with the Eagles. Will that skill set shine outside of Philadelphia?
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