Howie Roseman’s habit of pushing chips into the middle has helped build a powerhouse in Philadelphia, but it also left the Eagles exposed in a spot that’s starting to sting. The latest reminder came with Genesis Smith, the safety the Chargers landed at No. 131 after the Eagles used the assets that could have gone toward him in a trade-up for Makai Lemon.
That deal sent two fourth-round picks, Nos. 114 and 137, to the Cowboys. Smith was still on the board when Los Angeles grabbed him, and he’s wasted little time making the Eagles look at that decision sideways.
Through three games, Smith has already settled into a starting-caliber role for the Chargers. He has had rookie moments, sure, but the highs have been loud enough to stand out. On Sunday, he picked off Josh Allen twice, first stepping in front of a short crossing route and then coming down with a deep ball intended for DJ Moore after going to the ground and somehow securing it.
That kind of impact is exactly what Philadelphia could use right now. The Eagles’ safety group has become a real problem in Vic Fangio’s defense, with Marcus Epps and Andrew Mukuba giving up chunk plays down the field and missing tackles. The team has even had to use Cooper DeJean at safety in a part-time role because there simply hasn’t been enough reliable help there.
The issue was plain to see against the Bears, when Case Keenum moved the ball with ease despite making his first regular-season appearances since 2023. It was the sort of outing that made the missing piece at safety feel even more obvious.
That’s where Smith comes back into the picture. If the Eagles had taken him in the fourth round, they might have solved a glaring weakness before it became this visible.
None of that means the Makai Lemon move is doomed. He hasn’t produced much yet, but he still has a chance to grow into an elite receiver. The bigger takeaway is about Roseman’s style: he’s always willing to package and spend extra mid-round capital to move around the draft, and that approach can leave the roster thin in places that need immediate help.
For now, Smith looks like the kind of miss that can haunt a team all season. And for the Eagles, it’s already easy to see why.
In Other News...
Eagles Loss Exposed A Bigger Problem Than One Bad Night
The Eagles 27-7 loss to the Bears on Monday Night Football looked bad on the surface, and the details only made it harder to dismiss. Philadelphia gave away the ball three times, drew 10 penalties and spent much of the night chasing Chicagos passing game, with the Bears finding steady answers through the air. For a team trying to stay on track, it was the kind of performance that turns one rough result into a much bigger conversation.
A few individual efforts still stood out, with DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley providing some of the few bright spots on an otherwise frustrating night. But the struggles of players such as Marcus Epps and Andy Dalton only added to the sense that this was more than an off game, especially for a defense that could not settle in against Case Keenums rhythm. The loss left the Eagles looking for answers in a hurry, because the issues exposed here went well beyond one bad evening. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Hurts Gave Eagles Fans A Major Scare On One Brutal Hit
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Hurts was eventually cleared and returned to the game, easing the immediate concern for a team that could ill afford to lose its starter in a prime-time matchup. Chicago had already grabbed an early lead on Case Keenums touchdown pass, so the sequence only added to an uneasy start for Philadelphia, which had to keep playing while its most important player was being checked out. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Siriannis Sideline Outburst Started With One Alarming Eagles Moment
The moment that set off Nick Siriannis sideline reaction came in the middle of a rough night for the Eagles on Monday Night Football, when Jalen Hurts took a hit that sent him into a concussion evaluation. Cameras caught Sirianni yelling at Bears linebacker DMarco Jackson in the aftermath, a flashpoint that stood out even more in a lopsided 27-7 loss for Philadelphia.
Sirianni later apologized for his language and said he regretted the way he handled himself, a notable admission from a coach whose sideline intensity has long been part of the package. For the Eagles, the bigger concern remains the health of Hurts and the larger fallout from a game that went sideways quickly, but the sideline scene added another layer to an already frustrating night. [Read more 🡒]