Trade Splash for Philadelphia Eagles’ Howie Roseman Came Long Before Deadline

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman's big move came a week earlier when he acquired Kevin Byard, but also added Julio Jones and Bradley Roby

PHILADELPHIA – The roster ripples began earlier in the month before the big splash came a week ago when the Philadelphia Eagles acquired safety Kevin Byard.

There were no back-to-back splashes, as general manager Howie Roseman climbed off the ledge of his usual perch on the high dive at this time of year and went back down the steps as the trade deadline came and went at 4 p.m. on Halloween.

There were plenty of names being churned through the rumor mill – cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Jaylon Johnson, edge rushers of all varieties, as well as linebackers such as Jordan Hicks.

There was no way the Washington Commanders were going to send their star edge rushers, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, to a team within the NFC East, so they sent them packing to the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers, respectively, running up the white flag on their season after the Eagles virtually ended it in Week 8 with a 38-31 win.

An edge rusher probably didn’t make much sense, since the Eagles are still trying to carve a role for rookie first-round pick Nolan Smith.

The Eagles got better, though, with the acquisition of Byard, who made seven tackles in his Eagles debut last week.

“He's been such a great leader,” said defensive coordinator Sean Desai about Byard just before the trade deadline expired. “He's kind of stepping in and really taking ownership of a lot of things and really putting the time into work and learn the defense and do all the stuff that you would expect a pro to do, and he's been a consummate pro.

“He's been tremendous. He had a good game. He was solid. I've got to do a better job of putting him in some different spots and helping him, and he'll continue to get better.”

Prior to adding Byard, Roseman signed a pair of free agents - sot cornerback Bradley Roby and receiver Julio Jones to an already loaded roster.

Julio Jones makes his first TD catch as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8 / USA Today

Just how loaded? Well, the Eagles are 7-1 despite not really playing their best game of the season, yet.

Roby is battling a shoulder injury that has forced him to miss the previous two games, but he avoided a trip to injured reserve, and the minimum four-game stay that comes with it, so he could be ready to return on Sunday when the Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones’ impact has already been felt. He caught the go-ahead touchdown pass with just over seven minutes left against the Commanders.

The Eagles should also get back right guard Cam Jurgens, safety Justin Evans, and receiver Quez Watkins from injured reserve at some point as well.

Jurgens is eligible to return this week, while Evans and Watkins are allowed to return, if healthy, when the Eagles come out of their bye week to play the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 20.

The Eagles traded away defensive tackle Kentavius Street for two reasons: to open a roster spot for when one of their IR players is ready to return and in order to get their younger DTs, such as Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo, more playing time.

By not dealing any draft capital, the Eagles are expected to have nine picks in this spring’s draft, including their own first two second-round choices – their own and the New Orleans Saints – a compensation pick in the third round, and three fifth-round choices.