Eagles Named Top Trade Destination For 6-Time Pro Bowl Defender

The Philadelphia Eagles are determined to turn things around in 2024 after a meltdown in 2023. A 10-1 start went for naught as they collapsed down the stretch.

It resulted in an elimination at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Super Wild Card Weekend. Needing to find their groove again, the Eagles made wholesale changes to the coaching staff and roster during the offseason.

A lot of people are going to be keeping an eye on the defensive side of the ball. After having one of the most dominant units in 2022, production on defense fell off a cliff in 2023.

The team was relying on younger players to step into larger roles and the results were not very positive. Philadelphia finished 30th in points against and 26th in yardage allowed.

Multiple positions needed to be shored up, starting with the secondary. C.J. Gardner-Johnson was brought back after one season with the Detroit Lions and their first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft were used on cornerbacks; Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

If the Eagles want to make a move to improve in the trenches, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report has pitched them pursuing a six-time Pro Bowler. Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers is someone Knox believes Philadelphia could eventually be in on.

The Steelers aren’t actively shopping Heyward. They have a championship-caliber defense and he is a big part of it at defensive tackle.

However, the writing is on the wall when it comes to his future with the team. If his contract status doesn’t change, he is someone the Steelers could consider moving at the right price so they don’t lose him for nothing in free agency.

“The Steelers typically don’t negotiate during the regular season, and if Heyward doesn’t have a new deal by the end of August, they may listen to offers for the 35-year-old.

Moving him would save $16 million in cap space. Actually prying him away, though, would likely take a second-round pick at a minimum—possibly more if Heyward agrees to sign an extension upon his arrival.

The Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles are two teams that would be sensible suitors for Heyward. Both are entering 2024 with a win-now mentality, both had defensive issues in 2023, and both rank inside the top 10 in terms of available cap space” Knox wrote.

Pittsburgh has playoff aspirations. If things click, a playoff appearance is certainly within reach as a dark horse in the AFC.

But, the Heyward situation is one certainly worth keeping an eye on. A team such as the Eagles could be willing to part with premium draft capital if they look like contenders again in the NFC.

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