Eagles Trade Rumors: Philadelphia not looking to deal Brandon Graham

According to NFL Insider Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (everyone's favorite reporter), the Philadelphia Eagles are not trying to trade outside linebacker Brandon Graham. Here's what La Canfora had to say:

Brandon Graham, Eagles: Several teams that had been dangling players in trade earlier in the season, like Philadelphia with linebacker Brandon Graham, have since told teams they are reticent to deal him, sources said.

Well, this isn't exactly a surprise. Graham has been a positive contributor for the Eagles this season. The former first round pick is one of Philadelphia's best pass rushers. Graham has recorded 2 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 11 quarterback hurries in just 177 snaps played. Graham has also excelled in run defense with 13 tackles and 11 stops. Graham is too valuable for the Eagles to trade right now unless a team were to make an offer that Philadelphia couldn't refuse.

With that said, it's fair to wonder about Graham's future with the team. He's currently set to be a free agent following this season and Philadelphia has reportedly tried to trade him before. The Eagles may try to re-sign Graham, but the backup outside linebacker might opt to test the market and sign with a 4-3 team so he can transition back to defensive end. It might make sense for Philadelphia to get something in exchange for Graham while they can. The problem with that line of thought is that the Eagles would be taking a step back in the short-term, which doesn't make sense for a team that's currently 5-1 and competing for a playoff spot.

It will be interesting to see how Graham's future plays out. For now, don't expect him to be moved.

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La Canfora also had a note on Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, whom the Eagles are reportedly interested in.

A few teams, though not Seattle, have called the Buccaneers seeing what it might take to land receiver Vincent Jackson, who Tampa is very happy with and is not shopping. A trade seems unlikely at this point, given it would take a fair amount of compensation to land Jackson (likely a second-round pick), sources said, but is not out of the question. The Bucs are hesitant to make moves given they're still only two games out of first place in the woeful NFC South, but should they lose Sunday and the Panthers and/or Saints win, then the potential for a move could increase (running back Doug Martin could be a trade possibility as well, sources said). Dealing Jackson would free up about $5M in money, and any team acquiring him would have flexibility given there is no guaranteed money or signing bonus attached to Jackson's annual salary of $9.8M for 2015 and 2016.