Question for the all-22 and secondary crowd…because this really matters for the personnel decisions at safety. Doesn’t Vic typically use a single high safety and a down safety? And, in 2025, wasn’t Blankenship usually the high safety with Mukuba/Epps down?

Mukuba has some comfort functioning as a slot CB, which creates some matchup utility as a down safety, but his profile coming into the league strongly, strongly favors placement as the high safety.

Exactly where Mukuba will be next year impacts what kind of safety we might want to be looking at…

2 minutes ago, pgcd3 said:

I’m hoping the running game is back on track this year

I don’t see any reason to expect that it will be…less Lane, more miles on Barkley…figure one of Dickerson/Jurgens stops being a shell and one doesn’t. And we have a better blocking TE.

Throw all those up and down vectors together and I don’t think we should expect much change.

5 minutes ago, NOTW said:

This is fake

9 minutes ago, Eriv20 said:

Yeah he’s going to eat a 27 mil cap hit while creating a massive hole on offensive that we won’t be able to fix this year.

You’re part of that group that hates Philly stars. Prob an active caller on WIP

I’m gonna go about it this way, I love AJ Brown. I think this team is better with AJ Brown than they are without. And frankly, I think he’s genuinely a good person off the football field. If they could have him finish his career here, I would love it because I love the player he can be and was prior to last year.

That said I don’t think he wants to be here anymore. At some point in time when you have multiple different reporters and one of them now being Adam schefter saying it then is the rumblings behind the scenes. We could say well he’s not said that publicly, but he’s not gonna come out and say I hate it here and trade me. The eagles and Howie have probably told him and his agent a million times we are not trading you unless we get value we perceive is worth what you can do for us on the field. If he goes out and says trade me and I don’t wanna be here anymore publicly it doesn’t remotely help him. Heck him being at the Super Bowl and saying the things he did helps the Eagles gain leverage by saying look he’s content/happy to stay here. So now we can just keep them if you don’t give us what we think he’s worth. the eagles are definitely not getting the value and he’s stuck in Philadelphia going the nuclear option.

I’d point this out, this trade was never going to happen (whether it did or didn’t) until post June 1 just because of the money situation. Unless howie got super creative to where he could get a team to buy him into doing that type of creativity. Which was very unlikely.

The problem with Diana russini was less about what she reported, but the fact that she continuously just kept reporting the same thing over and over again every 2-3 days and there was no new information. To me that’s my problem with her. When you have new information, bring it along, but that’s not what she was doing. Just saying it over and over to get clicks. Which I’m guessing probably came from somebody in AJ Brown’s camp due to his frustration.

I’ve also said this in the past, I think some of this goes to the Eagles do not want to pay him next off-season when he turns 30. He only has about $4 million in guaranteed money after this season. So he wants or will want a new contract. I think some of this is he knows that the Eagles aren’t gonna pay him and he has to play here next year there’s a lot of risk. It may hurt him financially based off what the offense has looked like passing wise the last two years. Or even getting hurt. So he’s gonna be 30, the passing game hasn’t been very good the last two years and now it’s a completely new offense. Plus injury risk. I could totally see part of him wanting to be trade because that new team’s gonna give him an extension when he gets traded because they’re not giving all that capital up to just released him next year or play on that contract so it can be more cap friendly

I just don’t understand how you can trade a player of AJ Brown’s talent and stature AWAY from an offense that is already terrible and cannot afford to get worse…and actually expect to bother trying to compete next year.

Forget the compensation. Forget the cap implications. They cant compete next year by getting less talented on offense.

1 minute ago, eagle45 said:

I just don’t understand how you can trade a player of AJ Brown’s talent and stature AWAY from an offense that is already terrible and cannot afford to get worse…and actually expect to bother trying to compete next year.

Forget the compensation. Forget the cap implications. They cant compete next year by getting less talented on offense.

I said this early in the off-season, the Eagles might be viewing 2026 that they’re gonna be competitive. maybe they’re competitive enough to win a Super Bowl. But maybe they don’t see themselves as the top teams to win a Super Bowl with a new OC who’s in his first year calling plays and implementing basically a different type of offense. I could see them saying if we trade AJ after June 1 if they get enough value and clearing him then helps with money down the road when we believe are better suited to be a top tier contender. There is a chance they view this year as maybe take a small step back but still be competitive (maybe they shock us like 2017) to potentially take two or three steps forward in 2027 with the value in compensation and money they get in the future doing it. People might not want to hear that but I don’t think that is out of the question that that’s how they kind of view 2026. I’d compare it to a better version of 2021

12 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

This is fake

Oh. drinking & scrolling 😎

6 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I just don’t understand how you can trade a player of AJ Brown’s talent and stature AWAY from an offense that is already terrible and cannot afford to get worse…and actually expect to bother trying to compete next year.

Forget the compensation. Forget the cap implications. They cant compete next year by getting less talented on offense.

He gave a half assed effort for major portions of the season and flat out quit on the team in a playoff game. Addition by subtraction, kind of like when he missed the second Giants game and it was probably the best passing game looked all season. If he was happy and motivated they would obviously be a much better offense with him but that simply wasn't the case in 2025 and likely would be even worse in 2026 if they don't trade him. None of this is ground breaking stuff when it comes to a diva WR who decides he wants out somewhere.

notice he adds an eagle

1 minute ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

I said this early in the off-season, the Eagles might be viewing 2026 that they’re gonna be competitive. maybe they’re competitive enough to win a Super Bowl. But maybe they don’t see themselves as the top teams to win a Super Bowl with a new OC who’s in his first year calling plays and implementing basically a different type of offense. I could see them saying if we trade AJ after June 1 if get enough value and clearing him then helps with money down the road when we believe are better suited to be a top tier contender. There is a chance they view this year as maybe take a step back but still be competitive to potentially take two or three steps forward in 2027 with the value and money they get doing it. People might not want to hear that but I don’t think that is out of the question that that’s how they kind of view 2026. I’d compare it to a better version of 2021

And that’s OK if they see it that way. But they have to push along resources accordingly. Of course, Howie is outstanding at having the self-awareness and vision to pull the plug and do that.

There’s multiple levels of that approach. One, which I keep advocating for, is to play it conservatively this FA, keep AJ Brown, save $$$, roll draft capital and cap space into 2027, see how the first half of 2026 goes…and then make your move at the deadline if things are good. Alternatively, if the offense is a mess, focus on 2027-2028 and even consider selling at the deadline (AJ?, others?).

But if they want to trade AJ now…why invest any money in window dressing for the 2026 season? Take it out back, put it down now, and figure out how to maximize resources for next offseason.

10 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I just don’t understand how you can trade a player of AJ Brown’s talent and stature AWAY from an offense that is already terrible and cannot afford to get worse…and actually expect to bother trying to compete next year.

Forget the compensation. Forget the cap implications. They cant compete next year by getting less talented on offense.

They just changed their entire offensive system to get better. Obviously we have no idea if it will work but there’s talent there. Beyond that guys get hurt all the time, you have to compete regardless.

2 minutes ago, T-1000 said:

He gave a half assed effort for major portions of the season and flat out quit on the team in a playoff game. Addition by subtraction, kind of like when he missed the second Giants game and it was probably the best passing game looked all season. If he was happy and motivated they would obviously be a much better offense with him but that simply wasn't the case in 2025 and likely would be even worse in 2026 if they don't trade him. None of this is ground breaking stuff when it comes to a diva WR who decides he wants out somewhere.

I’m not going to argue with anyone that hates AJ, despises his effort, thinks he’s a distraction, etc etc. I’m not all the way there, but I get it.

But there’s no way he’s just addition by subtraction. The offense sucks and losing AJ Brown isn’t the key to sucking less.

2 minutes ago, pgcd3 said:

notice he adds an eagle

I would give up a 2 in 2027 that can become a 1 based on playing time and a 2 in 2026, WITHOUT HESITATION so long as they are fine with his medicals. Not sure the Raiders would do that......

Just now, eagle45 said:

And that’s OK if they see it that way. But they have to push along resources accordingly. Of course, Howie is outstanding at having the self-awareness and vision to pull the plug and do that.

There’s multiple levels of that approach. One, which I keep advocating for, is to play it conservatively this FA, keep AJ Brown, save $$$, roll draft capital and cap space into 2027, see how the first half of 2026 goes…and then make your move at the deadline if things are good. Alternatively, if the offense is a mess, focus on 2027-2028 and even consider selling at the deadline (AJ?, others?).

But if they want to trade AJ now…why invest any money in window dressing for the 2026 season? Take it out back, put it down now, and figure out how to maximize resources for next offseason.

I think they didn’t trade him now because they couldn’t get the value they wanted for him to take the cap it would cost to do it. I think they would trade him now if they got the value they required. I think it was always post June 1 when this trade was likely going to get done if they actually did it. Personally, I think the Eagles want future picks rather than this year. Because they already have enough picks this year and this draft is likely not as good as a 2027 or 2028. So if they trade him in June, you’re going to get 2027 and 2028 picks. To me that helps them when they believe that’s when they have another championship window with the draft class in 2026 and assets they’d acquire from Aj is in 2027 and 2028. You essentially be adding significant talent with the draft picks you would have in 2027 and 2028 add on cleared the money for AJ at that point to pay some of the other guys you want to keep.

If they wind up trading him, this season kind of feels like 2021 except the Eagles have more talent on this roster than they did in 2021. But you just kind of knew they didn’t have the overwhelmingly talent to probably win the Super Bowl like 2024 but were building towards that

1 minute ago, eagle45 said:

I’m not going to argue with anyone that hates AJ, despises his effort, thinks he’s a distraction, etc etc. I’m not all the way there, but I get it.

But there’s no way he’s just addition by subtraction. The offense sucks and losing AJ Brown isn’t the key to sucking less.

I get it and it shouldn't make sense but from my perspective there is a clear distinction between AJ Brown, and an unhappy, pouting, distracted AJ Brown whose focus and effort level is nowhere 100%. That's the guy we got for most of 2025 and I just don't see it getting any better in 2026. IF that is the case they are better off without him. All of this was bubbling to the surface in 2024 and then it got worse in 2025 to the point where he asked for a trade three times during the season. I could be wrong but I don't see a world where it doesn't continue to get worse if they try to bring him back. They might not have much of a choice based on the cap ramifications and New England being the only serious player in trade talks and low balling them but we'll see.

1 minute ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

I think they didn’t trade him now because they couldn’t get the value they wanted for him to take the cap it would cost to do it. I think they would trade him now if they got the value they required. I think it was always post June 1 when this trade was likely going to get done. Personally, I think the Eagles want future pics rather than this year. Because they already have enough pics this year. And this draft probably isn’t as good as a 2027 or 2028. So if they trade him in June, you’re good to get 2027 in 2028 pics. To me that helps them when they believe with the draft class in 2026 and assets they’d acquire from Aj is in 2027 and 2028. You essentially be adding significant talent with the draft picks you would have in 2027 and 2028 add on cleared the money for AJ at that point to pay some of the other guys you want to keep.

I agree with that. But…I might argue that 2027 draft picks are less valuable and easier to obtain before the 2026 draft. They are going to appreciate post-draft and post-June 1 when they are picks in the *next* draft. It’s just an easier pill to swallow for GMs who aren’t is into the long game as Howie if they are trading picks 2 drafts away.

Of course I’m thinking of draft picks in a vacuum and not cap implications.

1 minute ago, T-1000 said:

I get it and it shouldn't make sense but from my perspective there is a clear distinction between AJ Brown, and an unhappy, pouting, distracted AJ Brown whose focus and effort level is nowhere 100%. That's the guy we got for most of 2025 and I just don't see it getting any better in 2026. IF that is the case they are better off without him. All of this was bubbling to the surface in 2024 and then it got worse in 2025 to the point where he asked for a trade three times during the season. I could be wrong but I don't see a world where it doesn't continue to get worse if they try to bring him back. They might not have much of a choice based on the cap ramifications and New England being the only serious player in trade talks and low balling them but we'll see.

I’ve said this before, but I think there’s more to this story with AJ that hasn’t been discussed. whenever he is no longer here it will come out that his extension/contract was a reason among many for why he was pushing this.

I get it, his 2024 wasn’t great. His 2025 was even worse. The pass offense has been lackluster for past 2 years for lack of better terms. He knows at the end of 2027 that’s a line of demarcation for the Eagles. He only has $4 million guaranteed on his contract and that was always a he’s gone at that point or extended. So he’s trying to get an extension at 30 years old when the last couple seasons his stats have declined. He’s kind of his own worst enemy with some of the lack of effort and stuff like that. But he knows teams are going to say you’re 30 years old, your statistics are declining, you’ve also had durability concerns at times. Those are going to be held against him when negotiation. Part of being traded is team giving up capital likely gives him an extension based off giving up that capital and he gets a new deal.

To me the contract part of this never gotten talked about publicly, but I would bet within the first couple days of when he’s no longer an eagle that finally gets mentioned

13 minutes ago, pgcd3 said:

notice he adds an eagle

He adds an eagle emoji to almost every post he makes. It’s because he went to Eastern Michigan

Whatever it is, I don’t think AJ will be a silent monk about discussing it after he leaves.

4 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I agree with that. But…I might argue that 2027 draft picks are less valuable and easier to obtain before the 2026 draft. They are going to appreciate post-draft and post-June 1 when they are picks in the *next* draft. It’s just an easier pill to swallow for GMs who aren’t is into the long game as Howie if they are trading picks 2 drafts away.

Of course I’m thinking of draft picks in a vacuum and not cap implications.

The issue is the Eagles really can’t afford cap wise to trade him now. Too difficult. It’s why garafolo mentioned Howie trying to become creative on having it done partially now and partially after June 1.

I would agree with you that 2027 pics are easier to obtain now because their value is considered less than the now. But I also think there’s two other factors for this year, the Eagles cap does not allow them to really do it unless they get the value now and they just bite th bullet. Which there aren’t.

Secondly I think there’s a lot of GM’s out there that realize that this draft is not particularly strong and better draft next year. So teams like the patriots rather give up the 31st pick in 2026 in a weaker draft than what the 2027 first could be. Add on a better draft and New England might miss the playoffs this upcoming year or lose earl in the postseason then that pick is better in a better draft.

17 minutes ago, pgcd3 said:

notice he adds an eagle

You being serious?

He always uses an Eagle emoji, a reference to college or something. Usually with a diamond.

1 minute ago, eagle45 said:

Whatever it is, I don’t think AJ will be a silent monk about discussing it after he leaves.

I think aj and his agent are smart enough to not go publicly demanding things or coming off like TO. Cause that’s not going to help him get moved. Cause the eagles are definitely not trading him unless they get the value that they seek. Him doing that only hurts the eagles leverage.

Guy got rejected in humiliating fashion and how he wants to be. Raider and not demand a trade anymore.

23 minutes ago, pgcd3 said:

They just changed their entire offensive system to get better. Obviously we have no idea if it will work but there’s talent there. Beyond that guys get hurt all the time, you have to compete regardless.

OMG, you guys sound like the Eagles are resembling Trump's Iran Excursion.

I’m guessing the ravens wanted that out there and crosby’s agent was like Naw