4 Eagles pass rush trade targets Howie Roseman should consider

One aspect of the Philadelphia Eagles that’s missing in the early-goings of the 2025 NFL season is the pass rush. We’re now smack-dab in the middle of October and it feels like the defensive line completely forgot how to get to the quarterback.

We’re talking about a defensive line that used to dominate by only rushing four and all of the sudden, we are now left wondering if Vic Fangio’s defense is even built to apply pressure in the first place.

The latest blow comes with Za’Darius Smith announcing his retirement on Monday, basically out of now where. Smith played in five games this season for the Birds. He was a three-time Pro Bowler that was supposed to bring some veteran juice off the edge after coming to Philly post-Week 1. Instead, he’s gone after putting up just 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in limited action.

Wild, man. Lemme tell ya…

Anyways, outside of Smith and Patrick Johnson, no other Eagles edge rusher has recorded a single sack this season.

Not one. So yeah that’s beyond concerning. We have a full-blown crisis on our hands. The Birds’ defense that’s currently ranked 20th in the NFL and looks like it’s stuck in neutral.

Let the Eagles trade rumors begin

Trey Hendrickson to Philly?

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) October 13, 2025

This is the dream target. Hendrickson is an absolute menace and one of the most consistent sack artists in the league. He’s playing on the final year of a reworked deal worth $30 million and could be available if Cincinnati decides to cash in.

Over the past four seasons, Hendrickson has been named to four straight Pro Bowls and even earned All-Pro honors in 2024. He’s piled up 57 sacks since 2020, including 17.5 in each of the last two years, and already has four through six games this season.

Read More: Eagles Rumors: Howie Roseman might be cooking up another trade deadline masterclass >>

If Howie wants to go all-in, this is the guy. It would likely cost a high draft pick and maybe even a young player, but pairing Hendrickson with Jalen Carter on that defensive front would instantly transform this unit. The Eagles haven’t had that kind of edge presence since peak Brandon Graham.

2. Jermaine Johnson, Jets

If Hendrickson is the “swing for the fences” option, Jermaine Johnson is the realistic long-term play. The 26-year-old was on his way to becoming a star before tearing his Achilles last year, but he’s bounced back strong for the 0-6 Jets — recording a sack and five tackles just last week against Denver.

Johnson had 10 sacks over his first two seasons, including a Pro Bowl year in 2023 when he racked up 7.5. The Jets are in full rebuild mode, and reports say teams have already been calling about him. According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, it would take “a lot” to pry him loose, but you have to think Howie’s making that call.

3–4. Jaelen Phillips & Bradley Chubb, Dolphins

If the Philadelphia Eagles want a plug-and-play fit for Fangio’s scheme, these two make a ton of sense. Both Jaelen Phillips and Bradley Chubb played under Fangio in Miami in 2023 — and Chubb also spent three seasons with him in Denver. They already know his system, which is half the battle for any midseason trade.

Injuries have been the story with both of them. Phillips has ended his last two seasons on IR with Achilles and ACL injuries, and Chubb’s had three season-ending injuries since his rookie year. That said, when healthy, Chubb is still a problem. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler with 43.5 career sacks, including four already this season, and led the league in forced fumbles (6) in 2023.

Contract-wise, Chubb is locked up through 2027 but with no guaranteed money after this season. The Eagles could easily restructure or move on after 2024 if needed — classic Howie move.

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