NFC Notes: Eagles, Giants, Washington

Eagles

Former Eagles president Joe Banner was asked about the report that Philadelphia could be sellers at the trade deadline. Banner knows for sure the team has reached out to other teams about trading for offensive line or linebacker help. 

“Well, I know for sure the Eagles have had conversations with teams about offensive linemen and linebackers that they are interested in acquiring in a trade. So that contradicts the notion that they’re going to be consequential sellers,” Banner tells Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“Now, I know what the philosophy of the organization has been for many, many years, and Howie (Roseman) obviously practices this. You never want to shut the door and not listen. So if you’re talking to teams about trades and they ask you if you have anybody you’re looking to move, the obvious correct answer is you say we’re open to looking at anybody if the price is right. Because why would you not at least listen and see if somebody’s willing to really overpay for someone you might have a different valuation of, or a contract situation that makes you interested in moving them?

“But I think their mindset is to see if they can’t get a couple of wins here, try to get a little healthier, make a pickup or two before the trade deadline, nothing major, but maybe incremental improvements, and see if they can win the division and see what happens in the postseason.”

As for WR Alshon Jeffery being considered untradeable, Banner admitted he can’t see a deal coming together at this point. 

“There are some ways the Eagles could do something so that the contract would help an acquiring team. But I don’t see how they can move him at this point. I’d be really surprised. And that’s even assuming that they’d be willing to take very little just to get him off the books. But it only takes one team. So you never want to say absolutely. But I would be very surprised if he’s marketable at this point,” Banner said. 

• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery is available for trade but his injury issues along with his sizable contract make him unlikely to be moved. 
• Despite being scheduled to count $17 million against the cap in 2021, Banner believes the Eagles will stick with 32-year-old DE Brandon Graham as long as he’s playing well. Graham had a sack-fumble that sealed Thursday’s win against the Giants. 

Giants

• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport confirms Giants WR Golden Tate and G Kevin Zeitler are available via trade as New York looks to shed some expensive veterans. 
• Rapoport adds the Giants have fielded interest in TE Evan Engram but they don’t plan to trade the young tight end unless they’re blown away with an offer. 
• A number of Giants players are facing fines and potential team-discipline in the form of benching for potential COVID-19 protocol violations, per NJ.com’s Zack Rosenblatt.
• Videos showed Giants QB Daniel Jones, RB Saquon Barkley, WRs Sterling Shepard, Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor were spotted out in New York City without masks. The group had dinner in a private room at a restaurant and went to a bar that was closed to the public. 

Washington

• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says it appears Washington is less likely to move veteran DE Ryan Kerrigan. However, former second-round DE Ryan Anderson is generating a fair amount of interest and could be moved by the deadline. 
• Washington HC Ron Rivera said of the team’s current roster: “I feel very comfortable with the pieces we have, but we need more.” (Nicki Jhabvala)