Howie Roseman executed another masterclass trade, shipping Jordan Davis to the Jaguars for a first and second-round pick. While the Eagles continue to stack up draft capital, the real conversation igniting Philadelphia is about what this blockbuster move signals for their defensive coaching staff.
Is Jim Schwartz Getting the Band Back Together?
Everyone knows Roseman is a wizard with trades, but this one for Davis isn’t just about picks. It’s stirring up whispers about a massive shake-up on the defensive side of the ball. Could this be the move that brings Jim Schwartz back to Philly as defensive coordinator?
Turns out, this isn’t some wild fan theory. Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane spilled the tea, revealing the team privately hit up Schwartz earlier this year when current DC Vic Fangio was mulling retirement. So, if Fangio is once again thinking about hanging it up, moving Davis makes a whole lot of sense for a Schwartz-led defense. His scheme and personnel needs might already be influencing how the Eagles are building their roster, seriously.
Even Eagles legend Brandon Graham weighed in on the PHLY post-game show, sitting right next to BGN’s Brandon Lee Gowton. BG basically said the Eagles have the perfect guys for Schwartz to unleash, saying, “I feel like we got Jim Schwartz type of personnel.. Who knows what Vic is going to do next year? I wouldn’t be surprised if Schwartz is back.” That’s not a subtle hint, that’s a full-on siren!
Look, nobody’s saying the Eagles are pushing Fangio out the door unless he decides to retire. But if he’s given them any heads up about his plans, you can bet they are already sketching out a future with a familiar, hard-nosed face leading the defense.
Roseman’s Chess Game: Genius or Gambler?
So, was this trade another typical Howie Roseman win? The general consensus definitely leans that way. Roseman, according to Zach Berman, is at his absolute best when he’s “building,” when he’s “unsentimental and creative.” He just creates optionality and operates with a “long runway.”
Jeremy Fowler from ESPN broke down some key factors. The Jaguars are getting a quality player and a reasonable contract, owing Davis $18.9M, then $26M, and another $26M from 2027-29, all with no signing bonus attached. From the Eagles’ perspective, they clearly value Moro Ojomo, who apparently had other trade interest. Keeping Ojomo long term while also having Jalen Carter and Davis on the books was looking tough.
But not everyone is calling it a slam dunk. Joe Banner, a former NFL exec, thinks this is a wild overpayment. He points out Davis is mainly a run-stopping DT who’s struggled with his weight, and he got just a little less than the Titans got for Simmons. Banner said Davis “barely plays on third down unless its shorts yardage.” That’s a pretty damning take.
Brandon Lee Gow added some cold, hard stats to the mix. Davis was made the 8th-highest paid interior defender annually by the Eagles. Yet, this season, he ranks 60th out of 198 interior defenders in pass rush snaps and 39th out of 198 in total snaps played. Ouch.
Eliot Shorr-Parks, though, called it Roseman’s “best trade ever.” When you get a first and a second-round pick for a guy with those snap counts and that contract, it’s hard to argue with the optics.
Whether you think it’s a brilliant move or an overpay, one thing is clear: the Jordan Davis trade is way more than just a draft capital grab for the Eagles. It’s potentially a seismic shift for their defense. All eyes are now on Vic Fangio. Will he step away? And if he does, is the stage set for Jim Schwartz to make his triumphant return? This offseason is going to be wild for Philly’s defense.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
Leave a Reply