NFL rumors: 49ers’ Raheem Mostert asks for trade | Here’s why Eagles should be interested

 

Running back Raheem Mostert wants to be traded by the San Francisco 49ers, and the Eagles should be interested in a potential reunion with the five-year veteran.

Mostert’s agent, Brett Tessler, announced Wednesday that the running back has asked for a trade after months of unproductive extension talks with the 49ers.

As previously reported by NJ Advance Media, the Eagles aren’t in the market to spend a lot of cash on a running back.

The team has been linked to the likes of Devonta Freeman and former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, but neither player has been signed. The Eagles also missed out on Seattle Seahawks running back Carlos Hyde, who signed with the NFC West squad in May for just $2.75 million.

However, Mostert, at 28, is just entering his prime. He’s also coming off an epic performance in the NFC Championship Game vs. the Green Bay Packers, as he rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns in the 37-20 win. Making him even more enticing is the fact that he averaged an eye-popping 5.6 yards per carry last season.

The optics of trading a Day 3 pick or a player for Mostert, and subsequently signing him to a reasonable extension, are far more intriguing than signing an aging McCoy or an oft-injured Freeman.

Mostert would also be a strong complement to featured back Miles Sanders and change-of-pace pounder Boston Scott. With a trio that can run, catch and block, the Eagles would be dangerous in all facets of their offense out of the backfield.

Also, Mostert has a connection to Eagles senior offensive assistant Rich Scangarello, who spent time in San Francisco as the team’s quarterbacks coach.

That said, acquiring and signing Mostert won’t be easy, especially considering the $50 million salary cap hole that the Eagles need to climb out of next offseason. While the team has more than $24 million in salary cap this season, hanging onto that money to roll over for next season is imperative.

Perhaps, the Eagles could look to trade a fifth- or sixth-round pick to the 49ers, and agree to a long-term extension with Mostert, making the deal as backloaded as possible to avoid any major cap friction over the next two seasons. They could also look to trade a player like cornerback Rasul Douglas, who recently took a pay cut. The 49ers could use expanded cornerback depth at the moment.

Mostert began his career in Philadelphia in 2015. While the Eagles cut him following his rookie offseason, they have seen him blossom from afar as a productive rotational running back.

After making a deal with the 49ers for wide receiver Marquise Goodwin in April, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman should pick up the phone again and look to negotiate with San Francisco general manager John Lynch for the second time in three months.

https://www.nj.com/eagles/2020/07/nfl-rumors-49ers-raheem-mostert-asks-for-trade-heres-why-eagles-should-be-interested.html