Myles Garrett To The Eagles? Will They Pull Off A Huge Trade?
Whenever a player like Myles Garrett becomes available, every fan around the NFL tries to come up with scenarios where their team can land that player.
Garrett just had his 7th straight season with double-digit sacks, his rookie season was the only year he had fewer than 10, and he had 7 sacks in 11 games. If he is not the best Edge Rusher in the league, he is close. And that is just against the pass, he is also elite vs the run.
Eagles fans have had their own pipe dreams of Garrett in Midnight Green. Winning the Super Bowl only made Philly hungry for more, and fans want to see Myles Garrett added to a line that already includes Myles Garrett and Nolan Smith.
But is that even possible? With so many expensive players already on the cap, can they afford him? Can they make the trade work? At first glimpse, you might assume no, but there is some smoke there.
Odds Favor The Eagles
In the age of legal sports betting, you can wager on almost anything, including where a player will be traded to. As of right now, the Eagles have the 2nd best odds to land Myles Garrett, at least on Draft Kings. The Commanders sit at +300, but the Eagles are just behind them at +450.
Where There Is Smoke There Is Fire
This is not just Eagles fans trying to materialize this trade, there is some real smoke there. Bill Barnwell was asked to make a bold prediction for the NFL Off-Season, and this is what he said.
“Extra bold – Myles Garrett gets traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The rich get richer. They’re missing some players in free agency – Josh Sweat is a free agent, Brandon Graham is retiring. Howie Roseman has taken swings in the past when rare talents have come available – he traded a first-round pick for A.J. Brown, signed Saquon Barkley in free agency.”
It should be noted this was not Barnwell saying he thinks this will happen. It is him making a bold prediction. But the logic behind that prediction makes sense.
When Howie can get a real impact player, he is willing to take that swing. Barnwell mentioned the AJ Brown deal that seemingly came out of nowhere on draft night. Garrett is the same type of player.
Dan Graziano, who was on the same panel on Get Up, added this.
“I think this would fit really well with what the Eagles do and how Howie Roseman operates, right – paying a premium price for a premium player, right, as opposed to sort of overpaying, you know, your own free agent. Like, pay more than you think the market is worth for Josh Sweat just to keep him, right? You overpay to get a guy that can make a difference.”
So we know it is the type of move the Eagles like to make, and we know actual NFL reporters are throwing it out there. Which makes it more than just fantasy. But could the Eagles make the money work?
How The Eagles Could Generate The Cap Space
Right now, Myles Garrett is actually on a pretty team-friendly deal. He has two years left and is owed around $40 million over those 2 years. Since he signed his market-setting contract 3 years ago, multiple Edge Rushers have been paid more than him, and Micah Parsons will jump him soon as well.
But part of the reason he wants to be traded, outside of wanting to play for a team that actually wins, is that he wants a new contract. He wants to be paid like Nick Bosa got paid, meaning an AAV of $34 million.
Howie Roseman is the cap wizard, so if they did trade for him, and then extend him with a record-setting contract, he could work his magic and make it work. But it will still be a lot of money for a team that already has some expensive players. And there could be more expensive extensions coming with Jalen Carter eligible for one after this season.
But there might be a solution to open up some space. In a separate article for ESPN +, Barnwell suggested the Eagles might try to move Bryce Huff.
“Bryce Huff was one of the few additions last offseason from general manager Howie Roseman that didn’t pay off in spades. Huff has $16.75 million in guaranteed money due next season, which would seem to suggest Philadelphia will give him a second chance to make an impact, but Roseman could get creative this offseason to try to get Huff off the books.”
If the Eagles did get that money off the books, on top of the big jump the NFL Cap just took, it would be far more feasible to fit Garrett in. It would not be easy. But with Howie, anything is possible.
Related: NFL Cap Will Take A Massive $22 Million Leap For 2025
What Would The Trade Cost?
Bill Barnwell did a deep dive into trade returns for players like Garrett, so if you are interested, and have ESPN +, it is well worth a read because he went super in-depth. But the conclusion is he is probably worth about 1,200 points on the Jimmy Johnson trade chart. The Eagles’ late 1st round pick is worth about 600. So you are likely looking at 2 firsts, or 1 first, and a handful of day 2 and day 3 picks.
Garrett is turning 30 and wants a massive extension, so it hurts his value slightly. But he is also one of the most dominant players in the league, so two 1sts is in no way out of the question. Jalen Ramsay demanded two 1sts from the Rams not too long ago.
So Can They Trade For Myles Garrett, And Should They?
The Eagles can absolutely be in the mix. It would be tricky to make the money work, but Howie could do it. The question is, should they?
With how the Eagles have drafted, is that a deal worth making? Would you trade Quinyon Mitchell and Nolan Smith for Myles Garrett? The trade would not be those players, but it would be the types of picks the Eagles turned into those players.
It is not an easy choice to make. On one hand, Garrett is a transformational player and the idea of him and Jalen Carter on the same line is terrifying for other teams. On the other hand, you are giving up draft capital for the next 2 years, that could turn into very good and much cheaper players.
The Eagles defense is already very good. There will be some changes with Sweat and Williams likely leaving, but with how they have drafted, you kind of trust them right now to fill those gaps with young players, who can grow with this roster.
Garrett would fill those gaps too. As much as I like Sweat, Garrett is a much better player, and any DT will look great if they are playing between Carter and Garrett. The Eagles have a great chance to turn this into a dynasty. Getting a player like Garrett could be the key to winning more rings
It is something the Eagles will undoubtedly explore. If the price is right, it would be hard to say no. It would give the Eagles by far the best Defensive Line in the league when they already have the best young secondary in the league. Add on keeping Baun, and having Vic Fangio as DC, the Eagles defense could become even scarier than they were this year.
Listen To Or Watch ‘The Best Show Ever?’ Live On The 97.5 The Fanatic And On NBC Sports Philly From 2 To 6 p.m. every Weekday
