Despite winning Super Bowl LIX in dominant fashion, the world champion Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly not content to rest on their laurels.
Speaking Tuesday on Get Up, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said there have been talks among people in the NFL regarding the expectation that the Eagles will make a run at trading for superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett this offseason should the Cleveland Browns make him available.
Fowler noted that since Josh Sweat, fresh off recording 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl, is expected to sign elsewhere in free agency, the Eagles will have a clear need at edge rusher.
Garrett is arguably the best player in the league at that position, and teams will likely line up for the opportunity to trade for him, although Fowler said the Browns have been a "hard no" on trading Garrett and have told teams they won't even though Garrett formally requested a trade earlier this month:
The 29-year-old Garrett is an eight-year veteran who has more than lived up to his billing as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Garrett is a six-time Pro Bowler, four-time First Team All-Pro and one-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who has finished in the top five of the voting in each of the past three seasons.
Over 117 career regular-season games, Garrett 102.5 career sacks to his credit, including 10 or more in each of the past seven campaigns.
Garrett was among the lone bright spots for the 3-14 Browns last season, recording 47 tackles, 14 sacks and a league-high 22 tackles for loss.
As part of his trade request, Garrett made it clear that winning a Super Bowl is his No. 1 priority, and the Browns don't appear to be close to Super Bowl contention any time soon.
The Eagles would perhaps be an ideal landing spot for Garrett, but the Washington Commanders could be a great fit as well given that they have a glaring need at edge rusher and shocked the football world last season by reaching the NFC Championship Game on the strength of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels' play.
Fowler noted that the Commanders making a play for Garrett is something that could prompt Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to ratchet up his pursuit of Garrett in order to prevent their NFC East rivals from landing him.
There is reportedly a belief that Roseman could "make a deal that is too hard for the Cleveland Browns to refuse," given his status as one of the NFL's most aggressive GMs.
All of that speculation is moot if the Browns are unwilling to trade Garrett, but should they change their mind and send him to Philly, the Eagles figure to be heavy favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champs.
