Breaking: Eagles Name Former $64 Million All-Pro Wide Receiver as Trade Target
The Philadelphia Eagles are worried that they still lack a reliable wide receiver backup to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who are the team’s two best wide receivers. The 2024 NFL preseason is now in progress.
Return specialist Britain Covey has undoubtedly established a niche for himself, and during training camp, quick rookie Johnny Wilson has occasionally shown promise. But youngster Ainias Smith has struggled with drops during camp, and free agent acquisitions Parris Campbell and John Ross haven’t left much of an impact thus far.
Let’s start with wide receiver Adam Thielen of the Carolina Panthers.
Jimmy Kempski listed Thielen as the #1 trade target that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman should take into consideration in a piece published on August 12 in The Philly Voice.
Kempski stated, “Thielen is still a productive, professional receiver who finished 2023 with 103 catches and 1,014 yards on a horrible Panthers team.” “He would also be reasonably inexpensive, with a guaranteed salary of $6.5 million in 2024 and a potential salary of anywhere from $5.5 to $6.5 million in 2025 should the Eagles decide to retain him for an additional season, with no exit penalties if they choose not to.”
The Philadelphia Eagles Might Be able to acquire wide receiver Adam Thielen through trade.
Thielen, 34, played for the Minnesota Vikings for his first nine seasons, from 2014 to 2022. Following back-to-back 1,200-yard seasons, he was selected to the second team All-Pro in 2017 and was elected into the Pro Bowls in both 2017 and 2018.
He signed a $64 million, four-year agreement with the Vikings in 2019; in 2023, he joined the Panthers. Although he’s not quite the player he once was, he is still unquestionably a difference-maker as seen by the fact that he just completed his third season of 1,000 yards passing with rookie quarterback Bryce Young at his disposal.
“It’s not as though the Eagles would be seeking to acquire disgruntled star holdouts such as Brandon Aiyuk or CeeDee Lamb or similar players,” noted Kempski. “They just need a capable, trustworthy receiver who can hold their own if they have to be the WR2 due to injury and make the plays that come their way as the WR3.”
That surely applies to Thielen. Kempski thinks the experienced wideout may be had for a low price as well.
Kempski stated, “Carolina isn’t even close to contending.” “They also selected Xavier Legette in the first round of the 2024 draft and acquired Diontae Johnson this offseason.” When Thielen is miscast, a future Day 3 choice could probably work his way out of the predicament.
