Report: Eagles still trying to trade Alshon Jeffery

The Philadelphia Eagles might not end up trading Alshon Jeffery but it won’t be for a lack of effort. The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports the team is still trying to move on from the veteran wide receiver.

The Eagles have offered to trade wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in discussions with other NFL teams before Saturday’s 53-man roster deadline, two independent NFL sources said. Jeffery has essentially been on the market since early last season. But if the Eagles had trouble moving the 30-year-old receiver then — before controversy and injury lowered his stock — it’s unlikely they’ll get many offers now.

Indeed, we’ve previously heard about the Eagles trying to trade Jeffery. McLane’s most recent report reiterates that the team has not entirely given up on that outcome, even though a deal doesn’t seem very feasible. Jeffery’s contract ($9.91 million base salary in 2020) and injury recovery (Lisfranc) serve as roadblocks.

There was recently some talk that Jeffery might be able to play in September. One could theorize that information was leaked in order to made Jeffery more marketable. A conflicting report stated that Jeffery “isn’t expected to ready until October at the earliest.”

The expectation is that the Eagles will place Jeffery on reserve/physically unable to perform to start the season. If that’s the case, he’ll miss at least the first six games and possibly longer. UPDATE: The Eagles kept Jeffery on the 53 instead of putting him on PUP.

It’s worth noting that the Eagles can trade Jeffery while on PUP. But, again, who’s going to be trading for him? The most realistic idea I can think of is former Eagles executive and current New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas swinging a deal for Jeffery. The Jets are dealing with a number of injuries at wide receiver ... but health is obviously a concern with Jeffery as well.

We’ll just have to see what happens. The NFL trade deadline isn’t until late Octoberish so there’s still time for things to change.