At this time last year, the hashtag of #DoTheDeal swarmed Twitter timelines in the Philadelphia region when rumors of then head coach and general manager Chip Kelly was attempting to move up from the No. 20 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
On the phone with then Tennessee Titans general manager Ruston Webster, Kelly was attempting to trade up to the No. 2 overall pick to draft his former prospect of the Oregon Ducks and Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota.
Philadelphia's need for a franchise quarterback was emphasized and a reported trade offer had people turning their heads.
Chip Kelly and the Eagles, per Fox Sports NFL insider Peter Schrager, offered the Titans their 2015 first round pick (20th overall), 2015 2nd round pick, their 2016 first round pick, any quarterback on the roster (that included Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez), and any defensive player on the roster (which included now pro bowl defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, nickel cornerback Brandon Boykin or anyone else).
That is such an insane offer that, in the end, the Titans did not accept the deal and drafted Marcus Mariota with the number 2 overall pick.
It is now a year later, and head coach and general manager Chip Kelly has since been fired from the organization and new head coach Doug Pederson has taken over. The Executive Vice President of Football Operations Howie Roseman has taken over the plans in player personnel (he is basically the general manager but refuses to admit it).
After a 7-9 season and a trade in the offseason that sent cornerback Byron Maxwell and linebacker Kiko Alonso to the Miami Dolphins, the Eagles moved up from the no. 13 pick, to the no. 8 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft (April 28-30).
Rumors were flying all over the place for who the Eagles were looking at to draft with the no. 8 overall pick. Would they go with an offensive lineman or any of their needs for the roster? ...Nope.
They would #DoTheDeal that nobody expected to happen this time.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded their 2016 first round pick (8), 2016 third round pick (77), 2016 fourth round pick (100), 2017 first round pick and a 2018 second round pick to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the no. 2 overall pick and a 2017 fourth round choice.
This surprised many as to why the birds would give away this much to move up six spots in the draft.
Following the trade, Howie Roseman held a press conference in Philadelphia to discuss the trade with the press. When asked, he confirmed that the Eagles will be drafting a quarterback with the no. 2 overall selection.
Roseman and the birds already signed quarterback Sam Bradford to a 2-year contract extension in early March and signed former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel. Both are receiving a lot of guaranteed money ($22 million for Bradford, $12 million for Daniels).
So why #DoTheDeal?
Quarterback prospects Jared Goff (University of California, Berkeley) and Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) are the top-2 quarterbacks to be taken in this years draft. Howie Roseman sees either of them as an opportunity to gain a franchise quarterback and solidify the position on the roster.
Neither Sam Bradford or Chase Daniel are seen to be in the long-term plan for this franchise.
Many mixed reactions have risen form all over the league.
My opinion? Great deal. They gave away a lot but they did their best to spread the damage of the draft picks over a few years. The only issue I have with the deal is the 2016 first round pick that is being dealt. Outside of that, I love the risk. Take the opportunity to solidify the most important position in the game of football and go for it.
The Philadelphia Eagles are in a bit of a rebuild mode right now anyway. If they want any opportunity to win their first ever Super Bowl, they need to solidify the quarterback position.
Can Jared Goff or Carson Wentz be the quarterback the Eagles need? Who knows right now, but it is worth the risk.
What did you think of the deal?
