Eagles DE Derek Barnett reportedly seeking trade for more playing time

Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Derek Barnett is seeking a trade. The reported reason behind his decision to see that trade is that he’s unhappy with the playing time that he’s currently receiving with the Eagles.

It is his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who is currently gauging the market that is going to be available for Barnett. However, it’s the desire of the Eagles to hold onto Barnett, though they do understand his point of view when it comes to playing time. Still, they’re open to trading Barnett for the right offer.

Derek Barnett has spent his entire professional career, starting in 2017, with Philadelphia. However, he has recently seen his playing time decrease. He started 15 games in 2021 However, he followed that season up by only playing in one game before tearing his ACL in 2022.

In his place, the Eagles had several players step up and thrive rushing the passer. The Eagles had a pass rush win rate of 52% in 2022, the best in the NFL. Two edge rushers, Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, individually ranked in the top 10 for pass rush win rate.

Beyond those two, the Eagles have several talented pass rushers, including Brandon Graham and first-round pick Nolan Smith, on the roster. So, it’s easy to see why playing time is a concern for Derek Barnett.

Over the course of his career, Barnett has 21.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss.

A first-round pick in 2017, Derek Barnett has one year remaining on his current contract, for which he is set to make $1.125 million. At only 27 years old, he likely could be a contributor for several seasons as long as he stays healthy.

Louis Riddick predicts Eagles QB Jalen Hurts’ rise to level of NFL greats

There is a lot of excitement surrounding Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. One analyst who thinks Hurts could become a great is Louis Riddick.

“Look, you can always continue to improve the speed by which you play the game mentally. And once you’re able to get to a certain point where you’re getting up to the line of scrimmage and some of the very best quarterbacks have been known to do and have been captured on film doing, you’re basically telling defenders and safeties in particular, ‘Hey, walk on down here into the box. I know you’re coming. I already know what you’re gonna do by the down and the distance, I already know by the way your feet are set, by what you look when you broke the huddle — I’m already that far ahead of you and I’m already playing chess when you’re still playing checkers, man,'” Riddick said.

“That’s the next phase for a guy like Jalen Hurts. Because what that’s going to translate to is not only can I beat you with pure athletic ability. I can beat you because I’m already in your head. I’m already a step ahead. And that comes with years and years and years, and I think that’s what Jeff was referring to. That’s where Brady and Brees and Manning and them got to, and Jalen Hurts can absolutely get there.”