The Eagles reportedly are shopping former first-round draft pick Jalen Reagor, according to a report from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Trade partners aren’t always easy to find when talking about a highly paid player who has underachieved in his two seasons. Unless you’re either trading for a similar underachiever or willing to get under-compensated in return.
Eagles close to a Jalen Reagor trade?
Reagor has had plenty of time to state his case … and he simply hasn’t. There’s nothing Reagor has done in his two seasons that the Eagles couldn’t live without.
“Reagor was the subject of some speculation and trade cause. There was some conversation going on between the draft,” Rapoport said on the NFL Network.
“I kind of wondered if one of those receiver-needy teams — maybe the Chiefs, maybe the Packers — would make a run at Jalen Reagor. In the end, it just wasn’t enough compensation.
“I think the main problem the Eagles have with Reagor is he still could be good. And we’ve seen teams like the Rams, for instance, win the Super Bowl with four receivers. They [the Eagles] may still need him. We’ll see if he ends up sticking.”
In addition to below-average numbers — certainly not commensurate of a first-round pick — Reagor had two huge drops in Week 12 against the Giants that could have cost the Eagles the game … and maybe more.
If the Eagles didn’t come back and win four straight games, the Giants loss might have cost them a playoff berth.
Reagor’s disappointing stats in 2021:
- 33 catches
- 299 yards
- 2 touchdowns
Reagor’s career stats:
- 64 catches
- 695 yards
- 3 touchdowns
- 9.2 average on punt returns
- 21.3 average on kickoff return
REAGOR FACES COMPETITION IN CAMP
This report potentially is shocking to the Eagles’ psyche as they report to training camp Tuesday with workouts to begin Wednesday. Reagor is a popular player with his teammates.
Smart money says if Reagor doesn’t have an outstanding training camp, he is a strong candidate to get cut or traded despite the salary-cap hit the Eagles will endure.
Reagor will face stiff competition in camp. He no longer is the fetching first-rounder guaranteed a roster spot based on his draft status.
If the Eagles keep five wide receivers, four already are locks, injuries notwithstanding — A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and free-agent acquisition Zach Pascal.
That leaves Reagor grasping for reps and attention along with: Greg Ward, Britain Covey, track star Devon Allen, John Hightower, Josh Hammond, Keric Wheatfall and Deon Cain.
General manager Howie Roseman had excellent drafts in 2020 and 2021, with Reagor being the one blemish. Roseman’s 2022 draft class also looks like a winner.
This isn’t the Eagles’ first attempt to trade Reagor.
NFL Insider Adam Caplan reported the Eagles and Ravens discussed a trade around the draft that would involve Reagor and safety Chuck Clark.
Since those reported trade talks, the Eagles signed free-agent Jaquiski Tartt from San Francisco, adding to their depth at safety.
ROSEMAN TALKS ABOUT REAGOR
“Certainly, heading into Year 3, [we] expected more from Jalen at this point,” Roseman said after the 2021 season.
“We had a chance to sit down with him after the season and had an honest conversation about the things that he needs to develop and the things that we can help him develop to continue his growth, in terms of learning from anything. We have to do that. We have to continue to evolve.”
SIRIANNI TALKS ABOUT REAGOR
“We want more production from Jalen Reagor,” coach Nick Sirianni said after the 2021 season. “He has all the talent to do so. So I like him in that No. 3 spot right now to be able to make plays because he has skill, he has talent.
“It’s our job as coaches to get that skill and that talent out of him so it produces on the field. And it’s our job as coaches to put him in position to succeed.”
The Eagles believe they are evolving to another playoff berth and maybe a deep playoff run.
They loaded up in the offseason between the draft and free agents. They believe they are ready to charge onward and upward and they want players they believe are going to help that cause.
