By Carey Iona (The Flyin Hawaiian)
The Philadelphia Eagles, masters of the trenches under General Manager Howie Roseman, find themselves in an unfamiliar position at the trade deadline: actively needing help at edge rusher. The sudden retirement of veteran Za’Darius Smith, coupled with a pre-existing lack of consistent pressure and an injury to promising second-year player Nolan Smith Jr., has created a glaring hole in the team’s defensive rotation. With the November 4th trade deadline approaching, Roseman is almost certainly working the phones.
Here are the top viable trade targets the Eagles could pursue to bolster their defensive front and regain their pass-rushing swagger:
1. Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals)
The Dream Target
- Why He’s a Fit: Hendrickson is the marquee name on the market. A multi-time Pro Bowler, he consistently puts up double-digit sack numbers and would instantly become the Eagles’ top pass-rushing threat. With the Bengals’ season trending downward and Hendrickson playing on a revised, expiring contract, he’s a prime candidate for a contender to acquire.
- Viability Check: High. The Bengals are in sell mode, and the Eagles have the draft capital and the contending status to entice Cincinnati. His high salary for a rental might necessitate some “Howie Roseman salary cap magic,” but his elite production would be an immediate game-changer for a defense that desperately needs an anchor.
2. Jaelan Phillips (Miami Dolphins)
The Vic Fangio Connection
- Why He’s a Fit: Phillips is a former first-round pick with elite physical traits. More importantly for Philadelphia, he thrived under current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio during their time together in Miami. He understands the system and is a plug-and-play fit. His 2025 season has shown a return to his best form, specifically as a pass-rusher.
- Viability Check: High. The Dolphins are floundering at 1-5 and are rumored to be sellers. Phillips is in the final year of his contract, meaning his acquisition would come with a lower trade cost than a player under long-term control. He offers high upside with moderate risk, making him a classic Roseman move.
3. Bradley Chubb (Miami Dolphins)
The High-Cost, Scheme-Familiar Option
- Why He’s a Fit: Like Phillips, Chubb knows Fangio’s scheme from his time in Denver and Miami. He’s a stout run defender and a high-motor pass-rusher who has been productive despite the Dolphins’ struggles this season. He provides a more well-rounded edge presence than Phillips.
- Viability Check: Moderate. The cost is the main issue. Chubb is under a significant long-term contract that extends through 2027 with massive cap hits coming up. While he is a star, his price tag in both draft capital and future salary might make him a tough pill for the Eagles to swallow, even for a team in ‘all-in’ mode.
4. Arden Key (Tennessee Titans)
The Designated Pass-Rush Specialist
- Why He’s a Fit: Key is a pure designated pass-rusher who has garnered trade interest around the league. While he doesn’t bring the run-stuffing ability that Za’Darius Smith provided, he offers a different dimension: speed and explosiveness off the edge. He’d be a rotational weapon who could maximize his snaps in obvious passing situations.
- Viability Check: High. The Titans are also likely sellers. Key would be a cheaper acquisition in terms of draft capital and salary compared to the top names, making him a more fiscally responsible move for the Eagles’ rotational depth. He would immediately upgrade the team’s pass-rush win rate on third downs.
Howie’s Approach:
Roseman often favors trading for high-potential players on rookie deals or veterans on expiring contracts. Given the team’s cap constraints, a rental like Trey Hendrickson (if the price is right) offers the biggest immediate impact, while Jaelan Phillips represents the best blend of scheme fit, contract situation, and upside. The pressure is on for Roseman to make a move that re-energizes a defense that has struggled to consistently affect opposing quarterbacks. The championship window is wide open, and the Edge Rusher market is the key to keeping it that way.
