The Jacksonville Jaguars are making a push that sounds straight out of a contender’s playbook. At 5-2, they’re starting to separate themselves in the AFC South, and the idea inside the building is clear: this is a team that wants to take advantage of a real Super Bowl window in 2026.
That urgency has now spilled into trade chatter, and the names being floated are eye-catching. A new report says Jacksonville is trying to swing a major deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, with defensive tackle Jalen Carter in the conversation. Derrick Brown of the Panthers has also been mentioned as part of the discussion, with the possibility that multiple draft picks could be involved to help sweeten the package.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are in a rough spot. They’re 2-6, have dropped six straight, and sit last in the NFC East as they navigate life without Jalen Hurts. With Hurts’ future clouded by his blood clots, it’s fair to wonder whether Philadelphia could be a seller as the deadline approaches.
Brown has played in seven games and has 21 total tackles, five passes defended, and no sacks. Carter, who signed a record-breaking four-year, $152 million extension before the season, has been even more disruptive through seven games with 23 total tackles, four sacks, 5.5 stuffs, three forced fumbles, and three pass defenses.
Jacksonville hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2022 season, when it beat the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the AFC Wild Card Round. The Jaguars also haven’t reached the AFC Championship Game since 2017. If they land a player of Carter’s caliber - or somehow pull in Brown too - the rest of the league would have every reason to take them seriously.
In Other News...
Panthers Secondary Could Get A Needed Boost From Mike Jackson Soon
The Panthers could be getting a timely lift in the secondary soon, with Mike Jackson saying he expects to be back from his groin injury in the next couple of weeks. Jackson ruled himself out for the upcoming game against the Denver Broncos, but left open the possibility of returning the following week, which would give Carolina a much-needed reinforcement as it navigates the stretch ahead.
Jackson also spoke about his foundations upcoming Thanksgiving food giveaway in Charlotte, adding a community note to a week that has centered on his recovery. For the Panthers, the bigger takeaway is simple: a veteran corner who has been sidelined is at least pointing toward a return, and that kind of help can matter quickly in a secondary that has had to manage without him. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Suddenly Face A Tough Robert Hunt Decision
Robert Hunts future in Carolina has suddenly become a talking point, and not just because of his hefty cap number. ESPNs Mike Kaye reported the Panthers could explore a trade before the 2026 deadline if Hunts recent play does not rebound, a notable shift for a player who was brought in to stabilize the interior of the offensive line. With Brady Christensen working his way back from injury, the Panthers at least have another option to consider at right guard if they decide the current setup is no longer the best use of resources.
The complication is that Carolina is dealing with its own injury uncertainty, which makes any move harder to sort out in real time. Hunts absence or reduced role would not just be a financial decision, it would affect how the Panthers piece together the line week to week, especially if Christensen is still easing back into the mix. For a team trying to keep its protection intact, this is the kind of call that can linger for months before it finally comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Run Defense Need Could Force A Deadline Decision Fast
With the NFL trade deadline drawing near, the Panthers are weighing whether their run defense needs a quick fix in the middle of the line. One name that has surfaced is Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, a player who could fit Carolinas search for more sturdiness up front while Philadelphia sorts through roster injuries and the salary commitments tied to other core pieces.
The appeal is obvious, but so is the cost. Any deal would likely require a 2027 third-round pick, and Ojomo is set to hit free agency after this season, which would put the Panthers in position to make a second decision almost as soon as the first one is made. If Carolina moves, it would not just be about patching a short-term hole - it would also be about deciding whether Ojomo is worth keeping around beyond the stretch run. [Read more 🡒]