The NFL trade deadline, a high-stakes game in itself, is just around the corner. For teams looking to push toward the Super Bowl or even the playoffs, the opportunity to strengthen their roster is now available. For teams who may be looking to call it a season and look to the future rather than the present, being a seller at the deadline is the route to go.
Throughout their NFL history, the Philadelphia Eagles have made bets on potential, trading draft picks for established talent and gambling on unproven prospects in hopes of breakout performances through a number of blockbuster trades, some of which have been successful while others have been questionable.
For Eagles fans north of the border, following the NFL and its players isn’t just about the games, especially when it comes to the trade deadline. Canada’s best betting sites make it easy for enthusiasts to bet on trades, odds, and game outcomes. Many of these platforms offer special promotions tied to prop bets that cater to every type of fan.
From moves made during the offseason to in-season transactions, here are five of the most impactful trades in the Philadelphia Eagles' history.
From Super Bowl Champion To Football Nomad
You may want to draw a map here in order to keep up with how this trade has eventually played out for the Eagles. After moving three picks in 2016, a first-rounder in 2017, and a second-rounder in 2018 in order to select the North Dakota State Bison QB second overall in 2016, Carson Wentz quickly established himself as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback. Unfortunately as quickly as stardom came, winning the Super Bowl in just his second season, Wentz’s career would take a nosedive.
In 2021, the Eagles moved Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts for a third-round pick and a 2022 second-round pick that converted into a first-round pick. That third-round pick became Chauncey Golston, who would be packaged in a trade to Dallas for DeVonta Smith. The 2022 first-round pick became Jahan Dotson who through a variety of trades eventually became A.J. Brown, Jalen Carter, Cooper DeJean, and Kyron Johnson. Since being traded to the Colts, Wentz has gone on to play for three more teams.
A Giant Trade
Standing 6’4”, 328lbs, offensive tackle Jason Peters is a mountain of a man. Undrafted in 2004, Peters was signed by the Buffalo Bills, a team that he spent four seasons with, earning two Second-Team All-Pro honors. In 2009 after a contract dispute, Peters was traded to the Eagles for the 28th and 121st picks in the 2009 NFL Draft and a 2010 sixth-round pick.
During Peters' eleven seasons with the Eagles, he made seven straight Pro Bowl appearances and was named to four All-Pro teams. Unfortunately for Peters, a torn ACL, and MCL suffered during the seventh game of the 2017 season sidelined him for the remainder of what would be the Eagles’ Super Bowl winning season.
So Much For Retirement
After a nine-year career with the LA Rams, which included an NFL championship as a second-string quarterback, Norm Van Brocklin headed into retirement, targeting a career in business. Convinced to come out of retirement less than half a year later, Brocklin would be traded from the Rams to the Eagles for Jimmy Harris, Buck Lansford, and a first-round draft pick.
While he had served as the Rams starting QB for four seasons, the Eagles handed Brocklin the keys to the offense from the jump, a move that improved the team’s record in each of his three seasons in Philadelphia. In what would be the final season of his Hall-of-Fame career, Brocklin led the team to their third NFL championship while capturing the MVP award in the process.
Filling The Void
When Norm Snead was traded to Minnesota at the end of the 1970 season, the Eagles ran through four different starting QBs in the next six seasons. In desperate need to fill the void of the most important position in football, Philadelphia traded All-Pro tight end Charle Young to the Los Angeles Rams, bringing back Ron Jaworski in return. A backup QB in LA, Jaworski immediately took over the starting role in Philadelphia, a position he held for the next decade.
A Pro Bowl honoree in 1980, Jaworski led the Eagles to four straight post-season appearances and a trip to Super Bowl XV, the first in Eagles history. Jaworski finished his tenure in Philadelphia ranked second all-time in games played (142), passing yards (26,963), and touchdowns (175).
Two Birds, One Trade
As the 2011 NFL Draft progressed, the Eagles front office was cooking up a deal with the Baltimore Ravens that saw the teams swap third round picks (Eagles 85th for the Ravens 90th) and a 6th round pick (191st). While the Ravens selected Jah Reid, who played just 61 games and was out of the league by 2017, the Eagles came away with a Hall of Famer.
Selecting Jason Kelce with the sixth round pick, the Eagles added a center who became a six-time first-team All-Pro, a seven-time Pro-Bowl selection, and helped them to victory in Super Bowl LII all while becoming one of the greatest players of his position.
