While the news of the day will be linked to the NFL Roster Cut deadline, happening at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 29, the NFL is never slepping and headlines can pop out of nowhere any minute. Ask the Philadephia Eagles.
On Monday, former first-round pick and edge rusher Derek Barnett of the Philadelphia Eagles requested a trade "to play more elsewhere," according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN through the player's agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
#Eagles DE Derek Barnett, through agent Drew Rosenhaus, is gauging the market for the potential to play more elsewhere, per sources. Philly plans to keep Barnett but understands a deep pass-rush roster limits playing time. The 2017 first-round pick should have trade value. pic.twitter.com/lq4KrNNFsC
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 28, 2023
Fowler, reporting the information fed to him by Barnett's agent, wrote than the main reason behind this request is a lack of playing time in Philly, although he informed that the Eagles "plan to keep Barnett."
However, the reporter added that Philadelphia "understands a deep pass-rush roster limits playing time," and that can force them to trade Barnett away ahead of the 2023 season.
After the initial report saw the light of day, Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team confirmed that Philadelphia had "granted permission" to DE Derek Barnett to "seek a trade partner."
The #Eagles have granted permission to DE Derek Barnett to seek a trade partner, per @JFowlerESPN. The former first-round pick is stuck behind a logjam of pass-rushers. pic.twitter.com/D2SoJ9H0Dx
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 28, 2023
The Baltimore Ravens have been looking into upgrading their pass rushing all offseason long and they ultimately ended up signing Jadeveon Clowney to an incentive-laden, one-year deal a few days ago.
Adding the former no.1 overall pick, though, was far from a definitive needle-moving transaction and Baltimore can still improve a unit in which youngsters David Ojabo and Odafeh Oweh are projected to start most games.
Ojabo in particular has struggled mightily this preseason, putting up mediocre numbers and getting stopped on his tracks on a steady basis by opposing offensive linemen.
The Ravens seem to be determined to develop their young edge rusher, but after whiffing on trading for a franchise QB last weekend they shouldn't let another extraordinary possibility like this go by and instead send Ojabo to Philly (along with a mid-round pick if they want it) in exchange for Barnett.
Barnett would be a day-one starter in Baltimore opposite Oweh or Clowney and would improve a linebacker line that already boasts two hyper-talented players in Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen.
The Eagles defender only played one game last season before getting done for the year, but he's still a young 27-year-old player in the middle of his prime. He's racked up 21.5 sacks throughouth his 65-game career (45 starts) while also completing 147 tackles and hitting opposing quarterbacks 76 times.
Fumble once, shame on you. Fumble twice, cancel the Flock. Baltimore, if you want that Super Bowl title, you know what to do.