Eagles blockbuster trade idea sends first-round pick to Steelers for $123 million star defender

Eagles blockbuster trade idea sends first-round pick to Steelers for $123 million star defender originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Losing Jaelan Phillips and Nakobe Dean during the beginning of free agency made one thing clear for the Philadelphia Eagles: they should be in the market for a formidable quarterback hunter who can positively alter games.

Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport recently cited that the Eagles are among the teams that should be interested in a Pittsburgh Steelers star defender, but added that Philadelphia can’t afford to offer Pittsburgh anything less than a first-round pick for the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.

“For many Pittsburgh Steelers fans, the notion of trading edge-rusher T.J. Watt is ludicrous,” Davenport wrote Friday. “The Wisconsin product has been to eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons, was named the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, and his 115 career sacks are the most in Steelers history.”

“However, Watt is also a highly paid 31-year-old coming off an injury-marred season where he posted just seven sacks—tied for the second-fewest of his career. To be clear, moving Watt for anything less than a first-round pick—even with his sizable contract—would be selling low.”

“It is also fair to question whether the current version of the Steelers, even with Aaron Rodgers, profiles as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Add in that the Steelers have an in-house replacement already on the roster in Nick Herbig, and maybe dealing Watt isn't so ludicrous after all. Potential suitors: Los Angeles Chargers and Eagles.”

Watt thrives as a pass rusher in the modern NFL thanks to his commitment to lowering his center of gravity and using his signature dip (better known as ghost) and rip moves to reach opposing quarterbacks before passes are thrown.

Watt, who once recorded 22.5 sacks in a season (2021-22), completed 55 tackles, accumulated seven sacks, and forced three fumbles with the Steelers last season. In other words, Watt would do wonders for an Eagles pass rush that could use some work before the new season starts.

If Philadelphia is open to surrendering a first-round pick for Watt, the two-time Super Bowl champions could move closer to completing what would be arguably the biggest trade of the offseason.

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