Worst Philadelphia Eagles Trades of All Time

Worst Philadelphia Eagles Trades of All Time

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has cemented himself as one of the most trade-happy executives in the NFL. While the Eagles have made several impressive trades in recent years, that hasn’t always been the case in Philadelphia.

Even Roseman himself has been involved in some of the franchise’s worst deals. While it’s easy to highlight the best moves in Eagles history, what were some of the franchise’s worst trades of all time?

Ranking the Worst Trades in Philadelphia Eagles History

Before jumping into the five worst trades in franchise history, there are a few deals worthy of an honorable mention. In 2015, the Eagles pulled off a surprising deal by acquiring quarterback Sam Bradford from the St. Louis Rams.

Philadelphia sent Nick Foles, a 2015 fourth-round pick and a 2016 second-round pick to the Rams in exchange for Bradford and a 2015 fifth-round pick. Bradford was mediocre in his only season with the Eagles, but Philadelphia managed to trade him for even more compensation in 2016, which saved their initial move.

In 2021, the Eagles said goodbye to a franchise legend as tight end Zach Ertz was traded to the Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round pick. While Ertz was never the same player after leaving Philadelphia, Gowan played in just two games for the Eagles and it bothered fans to see Ertz in another uniform.

Philadelphia’s questionable decision to trade a 2021 fourth-round pick for Genard Avery ahead of the trade deadline in 2019 is another head-scratching move. Let’s move on to the Eagles’ five worst trades of all time!

5) Eagles Trade Chris Clemons, 2010 Fourth-Round Pick for Darryl Tapp (2010)

During the offseason in 2010, the Eagles were searching for pass-rushing help. Chris Clemons underwhelmed in his second season in Philadelphia, totaling just three sacks. Therefore, the Eagles decided it was time to move on to a player with more upside.

Philadelphia traded Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Darryl Tapp. After recording 18 sacks in four seasons for the Seahawks, the Eagles were betting on Tapp’s potential.

The move would prove to be a terrible decision, as Tapp struggled in Philadelphia and Clemons became a dominant force in Seattle. Tapp spent three seasons with the Eagles, totaling just six sacks in 39 games in Philadelphia.

Clemons spent four seasons with the Seahawks, totaling a whopping 38 sacks, including recording double-digit sacks in each of his first three seasons in Seattle. Although the Eagles thought Clemons’ best days were in the past, they were deeply mistaken.

4) Eagles Trade 2019 Third-Round Pick for Golden Tate (2018)

After winning Super Bowl 52, the Eagles were looking to make a playoff push the following season as well. In need of help at wide receiver, Philadelphia targeted one of the best targets available near the trade deadline in 2018.

The Eagles agreed to trade their 2019 third-round pick to the Detroit Lions for veteran wide receiver Golden Tate. Tate was coming off back-to-back seasons with over 90 receptions and over 1,000 receiving yards. He was on pace to break those marks once again in 2018 before being traded to Philadelphia.

However, Tate struggled to make much of an impact for the Eagles. His best performance in midnight green was against Washington in Week 13 of the regular season, where he hauled in seven receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown.

Tate’s only other receiving touchdown was a game-winning reception against the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. In 10 career games for the Eagles, Tate totaled just 37 receptions for 342 yards and two touchdowns.

Following his short tenure in Philadelphia, Tate signed with the New York Giants in free agency. The Lions used the 2019 third-round pick that they received from the Eagles to trade up and select safety Will Harris. He started 40 games for the Lions, totaling 246 total tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

3) Eagles Trade LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso (2015)

Chip Kelly’s tenure as head coach of the Eagles is most often remembered for two awful decisions. Not only did Kelly outright release star wide receiver DeSean Jackson, but he also moved on from arguably the best running back in franchise history in his prime.

Despite rushing for 1,319 yards in 2014, Kelly opted to move on from LeSean McCoy in the offseason. Kelly traded McCoy to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso. It was a shocking move considering that the Eagles didn’t receive any draft pick compensation in the deal.

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Alonso would spend just one season with the Eagles, starting just one game and recording 43 total tackles. Meanwhile, McCoy continued to perform like one of the best running backs in the NFL. He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons with the Bills, and he eclipsed 1,100 rushing yards in 2016 and 2017.

2) Eagles Trade Up in 1995 NFL Draft for Mike Mamula (1995)

After a dominant performance at the 1995 NFL Combine, Boston College edge rusher Mike Mamula skyrocketed up draft boards. The Eagles thought Mamula was the foundational, dominant edge rusher that they needed along the team’s defensive front.

Philadelphia agreed to trade the 12th overall pick and two second-round picks in the 1995 NFL Draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for the No. 7 pick and a third-round selection. With the first-rounder, Philadelphia selected Mamula as the second defensive player off the board.

Mamula failed to live up to the hype during his five-year tenure in Philadelphia. In 64 career starts for the Eagles, Mamula recorded 31.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles. Still, it’s who Tampa Bay selected with the No. 12 pick that made this such an awful trade.

With the selection that they received from Philadelphia, the Buccaneers selected eventual Hall-of-Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp. In nine seasons in Tampa Bay, Sapp recorded 77 sacks, 64 tackles for loss, and 15 forced fumbles. He was a dominant force on a Super Bowl-winning defense, while Mamula lasted just five seasons in the NFL due to injuries.

1) Eagles Trade Three Draft Picks for Greg Barton (1971)

The Detroit Lions selected Tulsa quarterback Greg Barton in the ninth round of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft. During his three-year tenure with the Lions, Barton attempted just one pass, which was incomplete. Even so, the Eagles decided to trade for him ahead of the 1971 NFL Draft.

Philadelphia traded three draft picks to Detroit in exchange for Barton. The Eagles sent a 1971 second-round pick, a 1972 second-round pick, and a 1972 third-round pick to the Lions. Barton never played a snap for the Eagles.

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Despite trading three draft picks for his services, Barton elected to use an option in his contract to sign with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. It was quite a shocking move — Barton would never play in the NFL again. He spent two seasons in Toronto, before playing one season with the Portland Storm of the World Football League.