A franchise-changing opportunity could be about to fall into Howie Roseman's lap, and the Eagles can't pass it up.
Jets All-Pro safety Jamal Adams wants out of New York, and reportedly has the Eagles on his seven-team wish list.
At first glance (and before Adams' list emerged), I didn't think the Eagles could or would be involved in the sweepstakes. We're not talking about a franchise that should be giving up future No. 1 draft picks, isn't (as hard as it is to believe) in a good salary cap spot moving forward and hasn't had an all-in offseason. The Eagles look to be retooling more than hell bent on winning a Super Bowl in February 2021.
But Adams is a unique player at a unique time, and is apparently interested in becoming the next great safety to wear midnight green.
While the following proposal and risk might be tough for some to stomach, the alternative could be worse: Adams, a Texas resident, ending up with the Dallas Cowboys and wreaking havoc on the Eagles for the next decade. We're not just talking about a good player; we're talking about a force that reminds me of a young Troy Polamalu. Allow Adams to end up in Dallas (which is how I expect this to end unless Roseman changes the equation) and we're talking about a safety chasing around Carson Wentz and covering Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert for years to come.
The Eagles wouldn't just be missing out on a top-tier player by allowing Adams to be traded to Dallas. I believe the NFC East would effectively be over before the season starts, with the Eagles regulated to fighting for a NFC wild card berth.
So, how could the Eagles pull this off without surrendering a future No. 1 pick? Offering from a surplus that no other team has: Tight end.
Roseman should call his old buddy and current Jets general manager Joe Douglas with this offer ASAP: Your choice of Ertz or Goedert and a second-round pick for Adams.
Before scoffing at the notion of surrendering one of the two tight ends (including an all-time Eagle on a Hall of Fame track), think about how the Eagles use these players. Despite having the most two tight end sets in the NFL last season, one of Ertz or Goedert was not on the field for about 50 percent of the snaps last season. Long term, can both stay here for that kind of playing time distribution? Does it even make sense to have both, especially when both are on non-rookie contracts in a couple years?
Sooner than later, an Ertz-Goedert decision will have to be made by Roseman. So why not let Douglas make it for him in exchange for a defensive star? Losing one of Ertz or Goedert would hurt the Eagles offense, but having only one plus Adams makes the Eagles better. And it keeps Adams away from Dallas.
Cap issues are present now and into 2021, but all three of the players in question will need new deals before the start of 2022. This isn't a math equation as much as it's a team-building dillemia. The Eagles have something almost no other team does, and it can be used as a big chip right now.
I don't know which tight end the Jets would choose. If Douglas thinks the team is close, it's likely Ertz. If the Jets believe they are still a year or two away, it's likely Goedert. The Eagles can be comfortable with either in a deal, and walk away with a difference maker.
No one expected an Adams trade rumor to creep into the Eagles potential planning for 2020, but here we are. Roseman can't ignore this, and should be aggressive in building a tremendous defense. If the offseason ended with Adams joining Darius Slay and Javon Hargrave, that objective will be met.
Adams landing in Dallas would be a nightmare. A player this good ending up with the Eagles in an out-of-nowhere trade is a dream. It's one that could come true, assuming Roseman is comfortable shaking things up.
