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The Philadelphia Eagles desperately need help at cornerback. But will they actually acquire a solution prior to the 2019 NFL trade deadline at 4:00 PM Eastern on Tuesday, October 29?
Perhaps they will.
In a Monday appearance on ESPN, NFL insider Chris Mortensen gave an update on the Eagles’ interest in Jacksonville Jaguars star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. (Hat tip to @realprinceblue.)
“[Jacksonville owner] Shad Khan expected [Jalen Ramsey] to play after a heart-to-heart meeting last week, and he did not play. But Shad Khan finally, I think, cracked open the door, saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got to do what’s best for the team and the individual.’ I say stay alert on this and certainly the Philadelphia Eagles are calling the Jaguars every week to check on this one.”
Mortensen previously reported the Eagles are “highly, highly interested” in Ramsey and even offered up a first-round pick and a second-round pick to the Jaguars. But that proposal clearly wasn’t enough to pique Jacksonville’s interest.
Last week, NFL insider Adam Schefter said the Jags won’t give up Ramsey for even FIVE first-round picks.
“The Jacksonville Jaguars are so entrenched in their non-trade stance with Jalen Ramsey that one source said they wouldn’t trade their Pro Bowl cornerback at this time “for five first-round picks.” The Jaguars have received offers of two first-round picks for Ramsey, but the teams making those offers also wanted a second-round pick back in return along with Ramsey, according to sources. So far, the Jaguars have refused to budge, and they continue to insist they will not, according to sources. This stance is driven, most of all, by team owner Shad Khan, who does not want a player dictating to him how to operate a franchise, according to sources. Thus the standoff continues.”
We’ll see if the Jags continue to maintain this stance as Ramsey refuses to play for them. Maybe they’ll get frustrated and finally succumb to the pressure he’s putting on.
Or perhaps the Jaguars will let the deadline pass without trading Ramsey. If the Eagles get the sense the Jags are really willing to let that happen, they’ll have to look elsewhere for cornerback help.
In the meantime, calling Jacksonville about the price to acquire Ramsey can’t hurt.