Eagles DC Vic Fangio reveals his wishes for upcoming NFL trade deadline

With the NFL trade deadline fast approaching, teams around the league are making moves to strengthen their rosters — yet the Eagles have held steady.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio doesn’t believe there’s any need for a trade to improve his unit. When asked if he was pushing for a trade, Fangio responded with a decisive “No.”

Fangio pointed out that midseason trades rarely yield a significant impact unless they bring in younger talent.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s hard to improve your team drastically this time of year,” Fangio said. “I think if you look at some of those trades over the years, they really haven’t had the effect some teams were hoping for.

Unless it’s a trade where you’re getting a guy that you’re going to have for a few years so it’s more of a bigger trade than swapping guys, trading a sixth for a seventh, those type things.”

Following the bye week, Philadelphia’s defense has caught fire, and Fangio likely doesn’t want to disrupt the cohesion.

The #Eagles defense since Week 6

PPG — 12.0 (1st in #NFL)
Sacks — 14 (1st)
Yards per play — 3.9 (1st)
YPA — 5.7 (1st)
Yards per game — 214.3 (2nd)
Sack rate — 13.6% (2nd)
Yards per carry — 3.7 (6th)
Pressure rate — 37.6% (10th)
Passer rating against — 80.1 (10th)

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) October 29, 2024

Last year’s acquisition of veteran safety Kevin Byard from the Tennessee Titans serves as a prime example. The Eagles traded a fifth- and sixth-round pick in 2024 for the former All-Pro, hoping for a boost in their secondary.

Byard, however, finished the season with 75 tackles, one interception, and three passes defended in 10 games — a far cry from the game-changer they’d hoped for. By March, the Eagles had released him, freeing up $13M in cap space ahead of free agency.

Another name that comes to mind is Robert Quinn, who recorded just two QB hits in six games after the Eagles acquired him at the deadline in 2022.

Although Fangio feels confident with the current roster, the Eagles remain flexible, as general manager Howie Roseman is known for exploring every opportunity.

“I love the team that we have. And I think this team is really coming together,” head coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday.

With that being said, I know we’re always looking for ways to improve our team. I know Howie is the best at that – of always, always, always, looking at ways he can improve the football team. I admire that and value that of how he goes to work there.

But like I said, love the guys that we have. I think we’re coming together really nicely as a team. But we’ll see how this next week plays out. Each year is different. Again, like I said, any way we can make the team better, I’m always up for that.”

Teams have until Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 4 p.m. ET to complete trades.

DEFENSE CAME TO PLAY IN CINCY 😤 pic.twitter.com/PyYjMfuqGq

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 28, 2024

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Inquirer