NFL trade rumors: Calvin Johnson, Joe Staley linked to Eagles

The NFL trade deadline will pass on Tuesday afternoon, and the Eagles are in positon to be one of the league’s most firmly entrenched buyers.

With the best record in football, the team has few weaknesses but a big hole left by a season-ending knee injury to left tackle Jason Peters is one they will need a solution to.

Against the 49ers Sunday, the role was filled by second-year tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai. A replacement-level tackle at best, the Birds should open up their close to $9 million in cap space and get an above average players to protect Carson Wentz. Ironically, with San Francisco in town, their left tackle Joe Staley was a name linked to Philly this week.

The move makes sense as San Fran is competing for the top pick in the NFL draft this coming April. If they can acquire draft picks and build for the future it is in their best interest.

The Eagles, however, are the top dogs in a weird year for the NFL, with no real dominant teams or Super Bowl favorites. Philly should pounce on a chance to improve before the deadline passes.

Staley, on the potential move, says he wants to retire with his current team.

“I always wanted to play for the 49ers,” Staley said. “And my thoughts don’t change now.”

However Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco’s head coach, allowed for the possibility of a trade.

“You’ve got to always try to think what’s going to help your team and make your team better,” Shanahan said. “To lose a guy like Joe Staley, that wouldn’t be something I’d be excited about, so that’d have to take a whole lot.”

Would the Phillies be willing to give the Niners enough? They did for Carson Wentz — and GM Howie Roseman has been known to wheel and deal.

As for another rumor circulating, that Calvin Johnson could be returning to the NFL and traded away from the Lions, there is a far less liklihood.

Johnson was reportedly seen on a plane to Philadelphia. That, combined with a tweet from NFL insider Adam Schefter creates an interesting narrative.

The Eagles, of course, need little help at wideout with Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Torrey Smith firing on all cylendars. NFL trade deadline moves are usually few and far-between.

But it’s a new era, as we saw this offseason. Stay tuned.