It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Eagles have made plenty of questionable trades throughout franchise history. Yet, many forget some of Philadelphia’s best trades that sent the Eagles in the right direction.
In recent years, Philadelphia has made several blockbuster deals that helped land star-caliber players, with one of the most notable trades in franchise history dating back to 1958!
Ranking the Greatest Trades in Philadelphia Eagles’ History
With the amount of blockbuster deals made throughout franchise history, it’s difficult to narrow the list of Philadelphia’s greatest trades of all time down to just five deals.
For instance, trading for superstar wide receiver Terrell Owens catapulted the Eagles into the Super Bowl, but he spent just two seasons in Philadelphia and they failed to win it all.
In 2017, the Eagles traded Sam Bradford to the panicked Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two draft picks. Those selections eventually became Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat while Bradford quickly fizzled out in Minnesota.
Although each of those deals was impressive, they weren’t among the top five in franchise history. Now it’s time to dive into the top five Eagles trades of all time!
5) Eagles Trade for A.J. Brown (2022)
In 2021, the Eagles exceeded expectations, finishing with a 9-8 regular-season record and clinching a surprising playoff berth. As the team accelerated its timeline, Philadelphia’s front office made a blockbuster deal during the 2022 NFL Draft.
Although rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith showed plenty of potential in 2021, the Eagles desperately needed more help at wide receiver, which is why general manager Howie Roseman decided to trade a 2022 first-round pick and a third-round pick to the Tennessee Titans for disgruntled star wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Brown immediately signed a four-year contract extension — the deal he was seeking from the Titans — and it immediately paid off. Philadelphia reached Super Bowl 57 in Brown’s first season with the team.
In his first two seasons with Philadelphia, Brown hauled in 194 receptions for 2,952 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. He was also named a second-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons, while eventually signing another contract extension.
4) Eagles Trade for Jason Peters (2009)
Similar to the situation with Brown, the Eagles took advantage of another disgruntled star being available on the trade market in 2009. Despite being named a second-team All-Pro twice for the Buffalo Bills, they didn’t want to reward offensive tackle Jason Peters.
Following the departure of long-time starting left tackle Tra Thomas, there was a huge void at the position in Philadelphia. That’s exactly why the Eagles pounced on the opportunity to trade for one of the best left tackles in the NFL.
On April 17, 2009, the Eagles traded 2009 first-round and fourth-round picks, plus a 2010 conditional sixth-rounder, to the Bills in exchange for Peters. Similar to Brown, Philadelphia immediately signed Peters to the contract extension that he desired.
Following Thomas’ dominant run at left tackle in Philadelphia, Peters was the new face of the position for the Eagles. Peters spent 12 seasons with the Eagles and was named an All-Pro four times and to the Pro Bowl on seven occasions. Although he suffered a season-ending injury, Peters was also a member of the team that won Super Bowl 52.
3) Eagles Trade Charle Young for Ron Jaworski (1977)
While trading for Brown and Peters were blockbuster deals that landed the Eagles two foundational players, neither played the most important position in football.
In 1977, Philadelphia desperately needed a franchise QB and was able to land one on the trade market by trading All-Pro tight end Charle Young to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Ron Jaworski.
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Jaworski filled a gaping hole on Philadelphia’s roster and would become its starting quarterback for the next decade. He led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in 1980 and trails only Donovan McNabb in several all-time passing categories in Philadelphia.
Jaworski threw for 26,963 passing yards and 175 touchdowns during his Eagles career.
2) Eagles Trade Carson Wentz to the Colts (2021)
When the Eagles selected Carson Wentz No. 2 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, he was expected to be their franchise QB for the next decade. And while he helped them win Super Bowl 52, Wentz’s career in Philadelphia was over in a flash.
After selecting Jalen Hurts early in the 2020 NFL Draft, the pressure was seemingly too much for Wentz to handle. Eventually, he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round selection. Wentz played enough snaps for that conditional second-round pick to turn into a first-rounder.
While that haul might not seem impressive for a quarterback supposedly in the prime of his career, it developed into a phenomenal trade for the Eagles. Roseman continued to flip the assets gained from trading Wentz away into several key players for Philadelphia.
In total, the Eagles used the assets from trading away Wentz to eventually land Jalen Carter, the aforementioned Smith and Brown, Cooper DeJean, and Kyron Johnson. Meanwhile, Wentz continues to bounce around the NFL.
With Philadelphia continuing to reap awards, it’s safe to say the Eagles won that deal.
1) Eagles Trade Buck Lansford, Jimmy Harris, First-Round Pick for Norm Van Brocklin (1958)
Similar to Philadelphia’s situation before trading for Jaworski in 1977, the Eagles needed a quarterback in 1958 after three consecutive losing seasons. Knowing it was time to go all-in at quarterback, when Norm Van Brocklin chose to unretire, Philadelphia swooped in and traded for the eventual Hall of Fame QB.
In May 1958, Philadelphia traded Buck Lansford, Jimmy Harris, and a 1959 first-round pick to the Rams for Van Brocklin. He was handed full control of Philadelphia’s offense that year, and the team improved in each of his three seasons there.
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In 1960, Van Brocklin’s final season with the Eagles and the final season of his playing career, Philadelphia defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship Game, handing Packers’ legendary head coach Vince Lombardi the only playoff loss of his entire career.
It was the perfect way for Van Brocklin to ride off into the sunset in what was the best trade in Philadelphia’s franchise history.