The Jaguars and Eagles will meet on the field Sunday, but the more interesting business might come after the final whistle. With the NFL trade deadline still a month away, Jacksonville and Philadelphia already look like the kind of teams that could help each other in a deal - and Jaguars general manager James Gladstone has shown he’s willing to work with the Eagles before.
That makes this matchup worth watching for more than the score. The Eagles are coming off a two-game losing streak and have already dealt with some notable losses up front, including retired right tackle Lane Johnson and Cam Jurgens, whom they sent to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week. That Jurgens move suggests Philadelphia may not be fully punting on the season, but it does show a front office that is willing to think ahead.
And that’s where the Jaguars come in. Whether Howie Roseman decides to buy or sell, Jacksonville could have a lane to get involved.
If Philadelphia leans toward selling, one obvious target for the Jaguars is defensive tackle Moro Ojomo. He’s a fourth-year player with strong trade value, and he fits a clear Jacksonville need: another interior pass-rusher. The Jaguars have gotten better pressure from the inside since Week 2, largely because Arik Armstead has heated up as a pass-rusher, but the group still needs a second interior threat who isn’t Travon Walker.
Jacksonville’s defense has been excellent to open 2026, but Ojomo would add another dangerous piece to the front. He also fits the kind of trade the Jaguars have made before.
When they dealt for Greg Newsome last year, there was little downside because the move gave them a chance to evaluate him for an extension or let him leave and potentially recoup a compensatory pick. The Jaguars ended up going that second route, and Ojomo could give them the same kind of flexibility.
Cost would matter, of course. Ojomo was a mid-round pick, so his cap number would stay manageable, but Jacksonville would probably have to send a solid pick to get him.
Still, if he plays well enough, he could be in line to cash in next March, which would make a comp pick possible down the road. Philadelphia already has its high-paid defensive tackle pairing, so Ojomo looks movable.
Of course, the Jaguars could also end up on the other side of the equation if they decide to sell. They already sent out some late-round picks before Week 1 to bring in backup offensive lineman Daniel Faalele and backup quarterback Quinn Ewers, so there’s room to replenish the draft stash. Philadelphia’s offensive line situation could make that conversation worthwhile.
Jacksonville has several backup linemen who could draw interest from the Eagles: Walker Little, Patrick Mekari, Wyatt Milum and Faalele. The Eagles have lost enough pieces along the line that they could be willing to send a Day 3 pick for someone who can help both now and later. Mekari, Little and Faalele all bring experience, while Milum was a third-round pick just a year ago.
The Jaguars have the depth to entertain that kind of move. Faalele has been inactive all season as Jacksonville’s ninth offensive lineman, and Mekari’s return from injured reserve would only add to the congestion. If the Jaguars want draft capital, they have enough bodies to make a deal.
Then there’s the biggest swing of all: Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars’ former first-round receiver still has plenty of talent, and Jacksonville clearly believes in him as part of its future. Even so, he’s averaging just over 25 yards a game, which is why his name can’t be ignored in a trade conversation.
For the Eagles, Thomas would be a fit next to DeVonta Smith. Philadelphia also drafted MaKai Lemon, but that wouldn’t have to stop them from chasing a player with Thomas’s upside. The Eagles are expected to move on from Jalen Hurts and reset the roster sooner rather than later, and adding Thomas to a Smith-Thomas combination could make sense when the next quarterback arrives.
In Other News...
Jaguars Face One Week 5 Battle That Could Decide Everything
The Jaguars head into Week 5 with a matchup that looks tailor-made to test both lines, and that starts with their defense trying to make life difficult for Philadelphia up front. Jacksonvilles pass rush, with Travon Walker part of the mix, will get a real chance to pressure the Eagles protection and force the kind of rushed decisions that can tilt a game early, while the Jaguars own interior offensive line has to hold up against a stout Eagles front on the other side.
Jacksonville also brings a receiving group with enough variety to stress the secondary, but Philadelphias corners have been sticky in coverage so far, with Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen both standing out. That creates a tense kind of chess match for the Jaguars, because the paths to a win may come down to whether they can create enough disruption in the trenches to give their playmakers the room they need. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Just Got A Huge Opportunity Against A Banged Up Eagles Team
The Jaguars head into London with a little more clarity than their opponent, even if Jacksonvilles own injury report still carries a few familiar question marks. Most of the players listed for the Jaguars are expected to suit up, which matters as they prepare for a game that could be shaped as much by availability as by scheme.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, is dealing with a much tougher setup on the offensive side, with several important players not practicing and a recent retirement adding another wrinkle to an already unsettled line. Final statuses are still expected to be updated before kickoff, but the early picture gives Jacksonville a real opening if the Eagles cannot get enough healthy bodies ready in time. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Get One Weapon Back But Jaguars Still Face A Tough Call
Philadelphias injury report is starting to take shape ahead of Week 5, and the Jaguars now know theyll have to account for Dallas Goedert again. The tight end is set to be available after missing time with an injury, giving the Eagles back a reliable middle-of-the-field target just as Jacksonville prepares for a road test against one of the NFCs most physical teams.
Even with Goedert on the field, the matchup still carries some uncertainty because the Eagles are not getting their full complement of playmakers back. Zack Baun is returning from concussion protocol, while Jonathan Greenard is listed as questionable, leaving both sides with a few personnel wrinkles to monitor. For Jacksonville, the challenge is clear: the Eagles may be short-handed in key spots, but they still have enough pieces in place to make the Jaguars sort through a tough defensive call. [Read more 🡒]