The Philadelphia Eagles boast one of the most well-rounded rosters in the NFL, yet that shouldn’t deter general manager Howie Roseman from strengthening the team even further.
One area where additional reinforcements might be beneficial is linebacker. Zack Baun is coming off an All-Pro campaign, and Nakobe Dean continues to show promise, but beyond Jeremiah Trotter Jr., depth at the position is lacking. Dean’s injury history is also a concern—he has battled multiple setbacks over the past two seasons and is currently recovering from a torn patellar tendon sustained in the Eagles’ Wild Card victory against the Green Bay Packers. Given the uncertainty surrounding his availability for the 2025 season, securing another starting-caliber linebacker would be a wise move.
While free agency or the draft could be viable avenues for addressing this need, Joe Giglio Sports has suggested that Roseman consider a trade for Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
Why a Trade Makes Sense
The Lions have already invested in their linebacker corps, handing contracts to Derrick Barnes and Alex Anzalone while watching 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell emerge as a key contributor. With Rodriguez seemingly lower on the depth chart, he could become expendable and serve as a valuable depth piece for the Eagles behind Baun and Dean—akin to the role Oren Burks played in previous seasons.
Rodriguez stepped up for Detroit in 2024, starting six games due to injuries within the linebacker unit. Over that stretch, he accumulated 43 tackles, two sacks, and 19 defensive stops while earning an impressive 87.1 run-defense grade. His efficiency was evident, missing just two tackles all season. Unfortunately, a torn ACL suffered during Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Chicago Bears cut his season short, leaving questions about his recovery timeline.
The Risk and Reward
Acquiring Rodriguez wouldn’t come without risks. He is working his way back from a major injury and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. However, when healthy, the former Oklahoma State standout would offer reliable depth behind Baun and Dean, with the capability to step into a starting role if necessary.
Why the Lions Should Think Twice
While a move to Philadelphia could be logical for the Eagles, it would likely be a questionable decision for Detroit. Rodriguez remains a developing player on a team-friendly contract, making him a valuable asset. Trading him to a fellow NFC contender—especially the reigning Super Bowl champions—would weaken Detroit while directly strengthening a potential playoff rival.
Given his upside, Rodriguez has the potential to grow into a full-time starter, and Lions general manager Brad Holmes would be making a mistake by shipping him to Philadelphia.
