Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is intent on remaking the defense for new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
PHILADELPHIA: When the Philadelphia Eagles defense performs as badly as it did last season—particularly in a historic 1-6 collapse—nobody is safe.
The first was that linebacker/edge Haason Reddick was allowed to look for a trade. Next, Avonte Maddox, a slot cornerback, and safety Kevin Byard were let go.
According to a recent source, Josh Sweat is also up for trade. The Eagles are willing to trade Sweat, according to Athletic Insider Dianna Russini. She said that Bryce Huff of the New York Jets will be a target for Philly’s active pursuit.
As the season was coming to an end, a source told Eagles Today of SI that Reddick and Sweat lacked discipline.
Yes, the defense will look very different when the Eagles play their season opener in Brazil. General manager Howie Rosman seems keen on rebuilding that side of the ball for new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
It should be mentioned that neither player will be traded by the Eagles. The talent and ability possessed by both parties must be matched by the return.
After being selected by the Eagles in the fourth round out of Florida State, Sweat has played for the team for six seasons. Since his arrival, his sack totals have increased year, reaching a peak of 11.5 two years ago.
His total dropped to 6.5 the previous year. He finished the season with eight straight games without a sack; he finally got one in the postseason loss against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Sweat has 35 career sacks despite this.
It makes financial sense for him to look for a suitor. He signed a contract extension at the beginning of the 2021 season, which ends this year. This year, he is subject to a $9.07 million salary cap. Before he leaves the books, the charge for next year will increase to $21.4 million due to a few voidable years after this one.
Sweat would have a $3 million and change reduction in his cap charge if he were traded or released before June 1.
Sweat is also a young man—he will turn 27 at the end of March. He ought to be a desirable trade target because of this.
The Eagles are likely to make a major investment in second-year edge rusher/linebacker Nolan Smith, as seen by their decision to potentially let go of Sweat and Reddick. It also implies that they will participate in the edge-rusher, free-agent market.
On Monday at noon, the tampering period will start, and on Wednesday at 4 p.m., the first day of the NFL offseason, free agents may be revealed.
Huff will be among the Eagles’ targets, according to Russini. He turned 26 in April, and after recording his first double-digit sack season in his four-year career—having started as an undrafted free agency out of Memphis—he looks to be a guy on the rise.