The Philadelphia Eagles have been very active this offseason, recently trading Hasson Reddick. Could they also try to get another defender? Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton suggested a potential trade for the top contenders to address each team’s biggest weakness.
The NFL analyst proposes the Eagles getting Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran defensive tackle Greg Gaines for a “late-round pick.” Gaines is known for his early years with the Los Angeles Ramswhen he was a starter for the Super Bowl-winning team in 2021.
Moton stated, “Under Howie Roseman, the Philadelphia Eagles have consistently had deep defensive lines. We should expect them to find a replacement for defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who retired this offseason.
“Even though the Eagles have young defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, they need a veteran like Greg Gaines to hold the interior group together,” Moton continued.
Philadelphia can get a veteran defensive lineman like Greg Gaines who can be the glue holding the group together.” Moton continued.
“… Last year with the Buccaneers, Gaines played a lesser role. With the Eagles, he could shine again with more playing time. The Eagles should offer a late-round pick for him.”
Eagles Rumors: Philly Unlikely to Trade for Buccaneers DT Greg Gaines
The trade seems affordable for the Eagles, but there are reasons to think it's unlikely. Gaines would be more of a depth option for Fletcher Cox rather than a direct replacement for Reddick. It's also important to note that Gaines recently re-signed with the Bucs.
Teams rarely trade a veteran after re-signing them so quickly. If the Eagles wanted Gaines, they could have pursued him in free agency.
Gaines agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Tampa Bay in March. This could be a move to watch as the mid-season NFL trade deadline approaches on November 5.
Buccaneers DT Greg Gaines’ Most Successful Season Was During the Rams’ Super Bowl Run in 2021
After starting for his last two seasons with the Rams, Gaines has had a smaller role with the Buccaneers, making just two starts in 2023. However, he remains an important part of the team’s defensive line rotation.
Last season, Gaines had 24 tackles, 5 quarterback hits, one sack, and one fumble recovery in all 17 games. His best season was during the Rams’ Super Bowl run in 2021 when he achieved a career-high 55 tackles, 13 quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, and 4 tackles for loss in 17 appearances.
As mentioned earlier, acquiring Gaines through a trade will probably be very difficult. However, Eagles fans can anticipate general manager Howie Roseman to try to strengthen the defensive line inside in the near future.
