Addition of star wide receiver listed as Eagles' best trade of all time

The Philadlelphia Eagles have been making headlines leading up to the 2025 NFL trade deadline, as the team has made several moves to bolster the roster for the final stretch of the season, and hopefully a deep playoff run.

First, the Eagles agreed to acquire cornerback Michael Carter II and a 2027 7th-round pick from the New York Jets in exchange for wide receiver John Metchie III and a 2027 6th-round pick. Then, the Birds added cornerback Jaire Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick that belonged to Denver originally. 

The most recent addition came in the form of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips from the Miami Dolphins, who the Eagles acquired for a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Phillips comes at a major position of need for Philly, and he also has experience with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who coached Phillips during the 2023 season in Miami.

The hope is that down the line, these moves will be remembered fondly by the Philadelphia faithful, kind of like another trade that the Eagles made a few years back when they acquired star wide receiver A.J. Brown.

The Eagles stole Brown from the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 NFL Draft for a 2022 1st-Round Pick and 2022 3rd-Round Pick. Since joining the Eagles, Brown has made three consecutive All-Pro teams, two Pro Bowls and he helped the Birds reach the Super Bowl twice and win one, besting the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59.

As a result, the acquisition of Brown was listed as Philadelphia’s best trade of all time by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. Knox pointed to the individual and team success that both sides have enjoyed since Brown began donning the Midnight Green.

“The Eagles haven't missed the playoffs since adding Brown. They've been to two Super Bowls and won one with him leading the receiving corps,” Knox wrote. “. . . Since arriving in Philadelphia, Brown has racked up 4,426 receiving yards, 28 touchdowns and two Pro Bowl nods. He's also helped Jalen Hurts develop into a franchise quarterback.”

It’s hard to argue with the logic there. Brown has been an absolute gamechanger for the Eagles since the second he was acquired, and along with DeVonta Smith he has formed one of the most potent pass-catching duos in the entire league.

Brown has expressed some frustration with Philadelphia’s passing game throughout the current campaign, but the Eagles sit atop the NFC East with a 6-2 record heading into Week 10 and they look like a team with a legitimate chance to make another Super Bowl run. If they do, expect Brown to be a big part of it.