D'Andre Swift Trade Request Opened Up Eagles 'Opportunity'

The Philadelphia Eagles saw their trade opportunity for D'Andre Swift, granting him a chance at a fresh start as a result.

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made sure it was clear how highly he thought of the team's running back room entering the 2023 NFL Draft.

But considering how the dominoes fell on Day 1 of the draft on Thursday, adding a star to a backfield that was lacking one was an opportunity he couldn't ignore.

The Eagles traded for Detroit Lions standout running back D'Andre Swift on Saturday in a move that took command of the headlines during a draft that featured a record-breaking amount of deals. It seemed inevitable that Swift would be headed elsewhere after Detroit drafted Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick, but his departure from Motor City quickly became a mutual idea once the Philly native saw the writing on the wall.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Swift requested a trade once Gibbs was drafted, and the Eagles took advantage.

"They were aggressive," Fowler said. "Miami, I was told, was involved to some extent, but the Eagles pushed it over the top Saturday morning."

For a GM like Roseman, who rarely lets anything sneak past him, the opportunity was an obvious one. Sending away the No. 219 overall pick and a 2025 fourth-rounder, the Eagles got Swift and the No. 249 pick in return, which was used to draft Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo.

"When they took Gibbs 12th, we thought maybe it was an opportunity," he said. "They signed (David) Montgomery in free agency and they took Gibbs, and we knew (Swift) was in the last year of his deal."

Swift's arrival back to Philadelphia is certainly a come-full-circle moment, especially considering how last season began. In a Week 1 matchup against the Eagles in Detroit, Swift erupted for a career-high 144 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries. In a Lions offense that prioritizes pounding the rock, he seemed well on his way to being one of the league's top rusher in 2022 after a dominant display of running against the eventual NFC champs.

Instead, Swift was plagued by nagging injuries and became the second-hand man behind veteran Jamaal Williams, who ended up leading the league with 17 rushing touchdowns.

Even when Swift - who still managed to appear in 14 games - was active, his usage was never the same as it was in that Week 1 explosion against the Eagles. He failed to top the 100-yard rushing mark for the rest of the season and had eight games of 30 or fewer rushing yards.

Despite the limited touches, he still finished with eight total touchdowns. It's not hard to imagine similar or even greater production from Swift in an Eagles offense with multiple weapons to account for.

Roseman certainly sees that vision, as Swift could be in for a career renaissance back in his hometown.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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