Almost a Trade

The NFL trade deadline has come and gone. The Eagles did not make a deal today. Sort of. It is a complicated situation so let’s try to explain it.

The Eagles agreed to send LB Arnold Ebiketie to the Bengals for a sixth round pick. I thought this was a good move. Ebiketie has been a solid backup, but he’s not part of the future. You move him and add a resource. You also make room for rookie LN Keyshawn James-Newby to get more playing time. Win-win for the Eagles. And the Bengals have better depth as they try to make a Super Bowl run. Everyone is happy.

So what happened?

Arnold Ebiketie was signed as a compensatory free agent by the Eagles.

The Bengals lost 3 CFAs and signed 2 (Cordell Volson not qualifying), thus while they gain a 2027 6th rounder, they lose a 2027 3rd round comp pick that was via Trey Hendrickson going to Baltimore.

— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) November 10, 2026

As mind boggling as this is, someone on Twitter had a better understanding of compensatory pick rules than the Bengals front office. Nick put this on Twitter and it spread like wildfire. Shortly after, the Bengals backed out of the trade. They acknowledged they did that because of the com pick situation. Cincinnati’s stupidity cost the Eagles a draft pick. Ugh.

Vibes in the #Eagles’ building right now after this one fell through:

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 10, 2026

I’m sure Ebiketie is bummed because he had a chance to go to a contender. Instead he’s a backup on a 2-7 team. I don’t think he’ll be offended by the Eagles trying to trade him. He signed here in March so it isn’t like he’s been with the team for years. Business is business.

So the Eagles ended up with just the Jordan Davis trade. Nothing else happened. I’m sure Howie Roseman worked the phones and talked to a bunch of teams, but obviously he didn’t get good enough offers for the players he was willing to move.

The Eagles were approached by multiple teams expressing interest in Riq Woolen, but a deal that made sense for both sides never progressed beyond initial conversations, source said.

Dallas Goedert, Zack Baun, Landon Dickerson and Hollywood Brown all remain in town.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) November 10, 2026

I really wanted them to move Woolen so this is really frustrating.

Moving Davis and adding the first and second round picks means this was a successful trade deadline for the Birds. It would have been nice to make another deal or two, but that would have been for late rounds picks. Those resources can help. They just aren’t nearly as impactful as first and second round picks. Howie made the most of a tough situation (the 2026 season).

Here is a good point from Zach.

One other note to watch in the next nine weeks: Every player released after the trade deadline is subject to waivers — even vested veterans.

The waiver wire is ordered in reverse order of the standings. So the Eagles will have an easier-than-usual crack at players who are cut for the remainder of the season.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) November 10, 2026

It is doubtful that this will make much of a difference, but you never know when a player becomes available who might help you down the road.

The next move for the Eagles is filling the open roster spot created by the Davis trade. My guess is DL Gabe Hall, but we’ll see if they have something else in mind.

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