Eagles Have Been Attempting To Trade WR Alshon Jeffery Since Last Season

Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Eagles have been trying to trade WR Alshon Jeffery since last season.

In fact, McLane says the Eagles began “actively shopping” Jeffery in trade talks about a month or so after they restructured his contract. Philadelphia picked up some cap space that they were going to use in case they acquired a high-priced player, but it also shifted guaranteed money to 2020. 

Jeffery was reportedly aware that he was on the market and struggled with the mixed messages he has received from the Eagles. 

According to McLane, Jeffery remains on the trade block, but his salary, injury history and performance makes a deal unlikely. McLane adds that Philadelphia would have to eat a large portion of his guaranteed contract in order to have any shot of moving him.

Two weeks ago, Eagles GM Howie Roseman referred to the Jeffery situation as the “elephant in the room.”

“Obviously, the elephant in the room is Alshon,” Roseman said during a conference call. “Alshon’s got to get healthy. That’s the No. 1 priority for us and for him. He understands. He knows what’s being said about him. He understands that he has a lot to prove and he’s anxious to do that.”

Back in February, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reported that the Eagles were looking to move Jeffery this offseason and he would “welcome the change of scenery” if they are able to find a trade partner for him.

However, Jeffery’s agent, Tory Dandy, later refuted the rumors that his client would welcome a “change of scenery” from the Eagles.

Jeffery, 30, was taken in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Bears. He played out the final year of his four-year, $4.54 million rookie contract with Chicago before agreeing to a one-year, $9.5 million contract with the Eagles in 2017. 

Jeffery later signed a four-year, $52 million deal with Philadelphia and will make a base salary of $11,500,000 for the 2019 season. 

In 2019, Jeffery appeared in 10 games for the Eagles and caught 43 passes for 490 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for two yards and a touchdown.