Eagles DE Derek Barnett 'gauging' trade market
Philadelphia Eagles DE Derek Barnett is reportedly "gauging the market for the potential to play more elsewhere," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The 2017 first-round pick, in other words, is interested in being traded in the search for a higher snap count. While the news comes as a surprise this close to the regular season, it's […]
Philadelphia Eagles DE Derek Barnett is reportedly "gauging the market for the potential to play more elsewhere," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The 2017 first-round pick, in other words, is interested in being traded in the search for a higher snap count.
While the news comes as a surprise this close to the regular season, it's clear why Barnett is looking into it. With the Eagles' depth at edge rusher, it's certainly difficult to get as much time on the field as someone of Barnett's talent would get elsewhere. After all, not every NFL team has Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick eating up the majority of the reps. Then there's also Brandon Graham and Tarron Jackson to worry about.
Barnett, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 1 of last year's season, has been itching to get back on the playing field. But this goes well beyond the pure desire to play football. It's also about financials. The defensive end is entering a contract year at 27 years old, a dangerous place to be in if you're not seeing the field all that much.
The former first-rounder out of Tennessee likely understands what a productive season could mean for him after missing almost all of 2022 with a knee injury.
The Eagles, per Fowler's report, don't plan on moving on. But once that phone starts ringing, everything is in play for somebody like GM Howie Roseman. If the offer is just right, this could turn out to be a win-win situation for the player and the franchise.
The next few days are prime selling hours as teams finalize their rosters ahead of the pressing deadline. By 4 p.m. on Tuesday, teams must be at 53 players tops. This is the perfect moment to know who needs depth at edge rusher, one of the premium positions in the sport.
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Underrated player.
Featured image via Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
