Thoughts on the Blockbuster Trade

[SB52]

Dave,

What are your thoughts on the trade with the Saints? Are the Eagles positioning for a QB in 2023?

[eaglesfan0075]

7 hours ago, SB52 said:

Dave,

What are your thoughts on the trade with the Saints? Are the Eagles positioning for a QB in 2023?

@"Dave Spadaro"

["Dave Spadaro"]

15 hours ago, SB52 said:

Dave,

What are your thoughts on the trade with the Saints? Are the Eagles positioning for a QB in 2023?

I see this trade from a few different angles.

First: Value.  The Eagles scored extra draft capital with this trade.  They were well positioned with 3 first rounders to gain extra picks by shifting a first rounder to a future year.  And if you are betting on the Saints taking a step back to rebuild, it may end up being an even higher pick

Second: Cap efficiency.  It's no secret that Howie has been trying to load up on young talent starting last year while not blowing up the roster.  Last year we drafted 9 players while stocking up on 2022 picks.  This pattern continues: A treasure chest of picks while loading up on future picks.   Rookie contracts are more cost effective than free agent contracts, thus opening up cap space filling positions with them.  And most importantly, we did not trade out of the first round with this move, keeping the 5th year option on the table.

Finally: Flexibility.  To answer your question, I don't think it signals the eagles 2023 QB strategy at all.  Is Hurts the man in 2022?  Absolutely.  Will he be in 2023?  I don't think anyone knows at this point.  How many times have we seen a promising young QB regress?  (Think Trubisky's 2018 and 2019 seasons made it look like he may take the next step only to sharply decline)  Or that young QB clicking and suddenly vault to the top tier?  Or, God forbid, there is a major injury.  If we come out of 2022 and its clear he's our man, great, we have more ammo to build around him.  If we come out of 2022 and he's solid and there are no QBs in the draft, then we can make moves to position us for 2024's draft.  If the worst case scenario happens, then we have assets to make a move to get that QB. 

[Arthur Jackson]

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