The professional NFL season is always a stage for high drama, and for Philadelphia Eagles fans, this season is becoming more intense than ever. Sensational trade rumors, bold potential deals, and the precarious injury status of key players are casting a long shadow over the green and white’s quest for glory. When a team’s championship window can slam shut at any moment, every decision from the front office becomes critically important—a matter of survival. And right now, Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ General Manager, stands at a crossroads with choices that could define the franchise’s future.

Cam Smith: A High-Stakes Gamble or Roseman’s Next Stroke of Genius?

In Howie Roseman’s philosophy of roster construction, taking risks on players needing a fresh start—those with pedigree but also with question marks—is nothing new. More often than not, these gambles have turned into gold for Philadelphia. It’s for this very reason that when former Miami Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith was unexpectedly released, the Eagles’ fanbase erupted with one massive question: could he be the next reclamation project to find stardom in midnight green?

Cam Smith is not an unknown commodity. He was a highly-touted second-round pick, 51st overall, by the Dolphins in the 2023 NFL Draft after a stellar collegiate career at South Carolina. With 18 passes defended and 6 interceptions, Smith made SEC quarterbacks think twice before targeting his side of the field. Scouts lauded his anticipation, his ability to read routes, and his knack for putting himself in position to make game-changing plays. On paper, Smith looked like the kind of player who could become a staple starting cornerback in the NFL.

However, once he reached the pros, the story took a sharp turn. Smith’s rookie season was a profound disappointment. He appeared in 15 games but played a mere 20 defensive snaps, relegated mostly to a depth role. His sophomore year brought little improvement. Injuries derailed his campaign, limiting him to just six games with 133 defensive snaps and another 55 on special teams. Heading into the 2025 training camp, it was more of the same: persistent health issues, limited participation, and little momentum, which led the Dolphins to make their final decision: they cut ties.

This is where things get incredibly interesting for Eagles fans. When the Dolphins drafted Smith in 2023, their defensive coordinator was none other than Vic Fangio—the same man who now commands Philadelphia’s defense. While their relationship in Miami never truly took off, this could be a chance at redemption for both parties. Fangio knows Smith’s capabilities, and Smith already has a baseline familiarity with Fangio’s defensive principles. In theory, this reunion could be the perfect fit.

Smith’s traits align well with what Fangio prefers. He excels in zone and off-man coverage, where his anticipation and length can shine. He is the type of corner who can play with his eyes on the quarterback, jump routes, and use his wingspan to contest passes. However, his weaknesses are also clear: limited fluidity in his transitions, a susceptibility to being beaten by downfield speed, and a tendency to grab receivers when beaten, leading to costly penalties. His durability has been another major red flag. Smith is not a finished product, but then again, neither were some of the other players Philly has taken risks on in the past—and look how that turned out.

The big question arises: should the Eagles make a move now? Rookie Quinyon Mitchell has one side of the field locked down, and Kelee Ringo showed encouraging signs in Week 4. But the search for a consistent cornerback opposite Mitchell is far from over. Adding a player like Smith would give the Eagles another developmental option with real, tangible upside. If he pans out, Philadelphia could have a low-cost, high-reward solution at one of the most valuable positions in the game.

The Carl Granderson Trade: The Shot in the Arm a Dying Defense Needs?

If the search for a cornerback already highlights the front office’s urgency to bolster the defense, that need becomes even more glaring when the opportunity arises to invest heavily in a dominant pass rusher like Carl Granderson. In the NFL, championship windows are everything, and the Philadelphia Eagles know this better than anyone. After missing out on another Lombardi trophy, this season is focused on strengthening every weakness, and right now, the most glaring flaw is the pass rush. With two key defensive ends sidelined and a thinned-out rotation, the pressure is on Howie Roseman to act. And one name keeps emerging as the perfect fit: Carl Granderson of the New Orleans Saints.

Let’s set the stage: the Saints are in a downward spiral with an 0-4 record to open the season under new head coach Kellen Moore—a name Eagles fans will remember as their former offensive coordinator. With a rebuild looming in New Orleans, it’s not a matter of if but when they will start offloading veteran talent for draft picks. And that’s where Granderson enters the conversation.

At 6’5″ and 260 pounds, Granderson is exactly the prototype Vic Fangio covets in his defensive ends: long, powerful, and destructive. He can create leverage against the run, burst the pocket with bull-rushing power, and finish plays with a relentless motor. In other words, he’s everything the Eagles are missing right now.

His production proves it. In 2023, Granderson recorded a career-high 78 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 20 quarterback hits. In 2024, he added another 5.5 sacks while continuing to dominate in run defense. And so far in 2025, he’s been unstoppable: 4.5 sacks in the first four games, putting him on pace for a career year. When you add his 14 tackles for loss last season, it’s clear this isn’t just a rotational player—he’s a disruptive force at the peak of his game.

Here’s a potential deal making waves: Eagles receive DE Carl Granderson; Saints receive a 2026 conditional third-round pick (upgrades to a second if Granderson records 9+ sacks or the Eagles win the NFC) plus a 2026 fourth-round pick. On paper, it’s a classic Howie Roseman trade—a calculated gamble that brings in a proven, ascending player without compromising the future. Granderson is only 28 and is signed through 2027 on a 4-year, $52 million extension the Saints granted him last September. That deal was recently restructured to free up cap space, meaning the Saints could be motivated sellers if they fully commit to a rebuild.

Let’s be honest, Philly needs this move. With Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo on injured reserve, the Eagles are leaning heavily on situational players like Josh Uche, Patrick Johnson, and even the recently added Za’Darius Smith to carry the load. This isn’t a recipe for sustained dominance, especially as they pursue a deep playoff run. Fangio’s system thrives on pressure from the edge, and right now, the Eagles lack the firepower to consistently win those outside matchups.

The Injury Report: The Eagles’ Biggest Immediate Concern

While the front office analyzes potential trades, the most pressing concern on the field is the immediate health of Lane Johnson and Jalen Carter. For days, Eagles fans were glued to social media, desperate for updates on two of the team’s most vital players. Right tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tackle Jalen Carter both suffered shoulder injuries in last week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the uncertainty cast a huge shadow over Philadelphia’s preparations for Week 5.

Let’s break down Carter’s situation. The second-year defensive lineman was forced off the field but showed incredible resilience by returning later in the game. His presence was immediately felt, generating pressure on Baker Mayfield and directly contributing to Jihad Ward’s game-sealing interception. Lane Johnson, on the other hand, wasn’t as fortunate. He left in the second half and did not return, leaving a gaping hole on the offensive line.

This week finally brought clarity. Both Johnson and Carter returned to practice on Wednesday with limited participation, according to the Eagles’ official injury report. This is a massive development for fans and coaches alike. Why is this so important? Because Lane Johnson is the heart of the Eagles’ offensive line. Without him, the unit’s run blocking and pass protection suffer a significant decline, as we saw against Tampa Bay in the second half. His ability to neutralize elite pass rushers is unmatched, and keeping Jalen Hurts upright depends heavily on Johnson’s availability. As for Carter, his continued rise as one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in football is undeniable. Pairing him with Jordan Davis gives Philly a young, dominant duo in the trenches that opposing lines simply can’t handle. His health isn’t just about depth; it’s about maintaining the Eagles’ entire defensive identity.

The only real concern from Wednesday’s practice was tight end Dallas Goedert, who did not participate at all. His absence is something to monitor ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos at Lincoln Financial Field.

Conclusion: Which Path Will Howie Roseman Choose?

Eagles Nation, what do you think? Should Howie Roseman go all-in on Cam Smith as a redemption project? Push his chips to the center for a blockbuster trade for Carl Granderson? Or focus on keeping stars like Lane Johnson and Jalen Carter healthy for the playoff push? Which move do you believe is most critical? Leave your opinion in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe for all the latest Eagles news!