The Philadelphia Eagles look good at the start of the 2016 NFL season. Holding a 4-2 record, they are not far behind the NFC leaders Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings at 5-1. But many believe that they still lack the personnel in the offensive line to contend with those elite ones.
That's why rumors are spreading that they are looking in the trade market right now with hopes that they could catch a player to reinforce their offensive line. Earlier NFL trade rumors have linked them inquiring the services of San Francisco 49ers WR Torrey Smith and Chicago Bears WR Alshon Jeffery heating up speculation that they do have a problem in their offense.
And now, they seem to be targeting the services of OT Joe Thomas from the Cleveland Browns. According to NJ, Eagles' top executive Howie Roseman is trying to reach the Browns organization to discuss a deal involving Thomas. The Eagles badly need help on their offensive line after losing Lane Johnson to suspension.
Johnson, Eagles' best offensive tackle, was suspended by the league for 10 games after failing his second PED test. He made an appeal to lift the suspension but was denied last October 11. That means he won't be able to play until their game against the New York Giants on December 22 and that's bad news for the Eagles.
And with Eagles' rookie offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai also struggling, that shows on their two losses, the Eagles might consider adding the nine-time Pro Bowler Thomas into their fold. Thomas could immediately fill in Johnson's spot and stabilize their offensive line as per stated in the report.
On the separate report by 247Sports, even though Thomas is not asking to be traded, the Browns might consider a trade to Eagles that could give them future draft picks that can use for their rebuild. The report also says that the Browns already attempted to trade Thomas to Denver Broncos last season but the deal did not prosper.
Could this be the perfect timing for the Philadelphia Eagles to make a deal to the Cleveland Browns to acquire Joe Thomas right before NFL trade deadline?
