NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Crosby, Commanders, Aiyuk, Eagles
The Cowboys were aggressive in trade talks for Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby earlier this offseason, submitting multiple offers before ultimately falling short. Las Vegas agreed to send Crosby to Baltimore for two first-round picks, but the deal fell apart after the five-time Pro Bowler failed the Ravens’ physical. Crosby continues to pop up in trade rumors almost a month later, though Cowboys owner Jerry Jones does not expect to circle back (via Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS). “I don’t anticipate, standing here right now, revisiting that situation,” Jones said. “I don’t anticipate it. Is it possible? Yes.”
While Jones is not slamming the door on another Crosby pursuit, it is notable that Cowboys physician Dr. Dan Cooper raised concerns over the defender’s surgically repaired meniscus before he failed his physical. The Ravens consulted with the well-respected Cooper during the process. Unless Dallas does a 180 on Crosby, its best hope to upgrade its pass rush could be via the draft. The Cowboys are scheduled to pick 12th and 20th in the first round.
Here’s more on Dallas and a pair of NFC East rivals:
- Washington is considered the most likely destination for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but San Francisco will have to release him first. The Commanders are not going to trade for Aiyuk, according to John Keim of ESPN. The 49ers are in no rush to cut Aiyuk, who is still tied to the four-year, $120MM extension he signed in August 2024. The team has gotten almost nothing from the deal, as Aiyuk has not played since suffering a knee injury that October. The 28-year-old is now coming off a bizarre season in which he distanced himself from the team during his recovery. The 49ers placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list in December. Odds are they will eventually cut him, but the Commanders are not going to bank on a release and “bypass other potential options,” Keim writes.
- Having lost Reed Blankenship to the Texans in free agency, the Eagles are down a starting safety to pair with Andrew Mukuba. Nickel cornerback Michael Carter II and safety Marcus Epps, whom the Eagles re-signed on the cheap, are among in-house options to fill the void. To no surprise, general manager Howie Roseman intends to address safety during the draft (via Brooks Kubena of The Athletic). “In some shape or form we will add at that position,” Roseman declared.
- Shifting back to Dallas, the team is in the market for a nickel cornerback, Jon Machota of The Athletic relays. No. 1 corner DaRon Bland has slot experience, including 200 snaps last year, but the Cowboys prefer to keep him on the outside. While Reddy Steward amassed 384 slot snaps in 2025, Pro Football Focus ranked his play a lackluster 99th among 112 qualifiers. Notably, the Cowboys have visited with Miami’s Keionte Scott, one of the highest-rated nickel CBs in this year’s draft class.
- The Cowboys will stage “an open competition” between backup quarterbacks Joe Milton and Sam Howell for the No. 2 job, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said (via Machota). The Cowboys sent a fifth-rounder to the Patriots for Milton and a seventh-rounder a year ago. Starter Dak Prescott went on to enjoy a healthy and productive campaign, which left little playing time for Milton. Howell, who joined the Cowboys on a one-year deal last month, was a 17-game starter in Washington in 2023. The 25-year-old has not made a start since then, and he didn’t even play a snap as a third-stringer in Philadelphia last season.
Poll: Will Eagles Trade A.J. Brown?
The future of Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has been in question since he voiced his frustration with their offense on multiple occasions in 2025. The heat has turned up since the Eagles’ season ended with a listless offensive showing in a 23-19 loss to the visiting 49ers in the wild-card round. Trade rumors centering on Brown have persisted over the past two-plus months, and that may be the case for at least several more weeks.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has considered dealing Brown, though it does not appear that he will budge for less than a first-round pick as this month’s draft approaches. One GM confirmed to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that the Eagles have asked for “a one and change” this offseason. It would come as a surprise if a trade occurs before or during the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports writes, as the finances would work heavily against Philadelphia.
Trading Brown before June 1 would leave the Eagles with a $43.51MM dead cap hit — a record for his position — and cost them $20.12MM in space. A trade on June 2 or later would enable the Eagles to spread the dead money over two years. They would take on $16.35MM in 2026 and $27.1MM in ’27, though parting with Brown would open up $7MM in breathing room next season. While that makes a summer swap more likely, Jones does not “get the impression” a deal will come together immediately on June 2.
As for teams that could acquire Brown, the Patriots, Chargers, Bills and Chiefs are reportedly on the three-time Pro Bowler’s wish list. Los Angeles, Buffalo and Kansas City have not shown much interest, though perhaps they or other teams will enter the sweepstakes depending on how the draft unfolds. L.A.’s more successful franchise, the Rams, engaged in talks with the Eagles, but a trade between the NFC powers is unlikely to occur.
On the other hand, it would not surprise anyone if the Patriots reel in the soon-to-be 29-year-old Brown. Even after adding ex-Packer Romeo Doubs on a four-year, $68MM contract in free agency, the Pats are considered the favorites to acquire Brown (there is a “broad assumption” they will, Volin writes). He would offer a more-than-capable replacement for the reigning AFC champions’ 2025 leading receiver, the released Stefon Diggs. Brown also has a strong relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel dating to their time together in Tennessee from 2019-21. Now a seven-year veteran, Brown registered two of his six 1,000-yard seasons as a Titan.
The Patriots or any other acquiring team would expect Brown to notch a fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign in 2026, but losing his consistently solid production would weaken a contending Eagles team. With Philadelphia expected to push for a third consecutive NFC East title next season, Roseman may be content to keep the Brown-DeVonta Smith receiver tandem intact. How do you expect this saga to play out?
What will happen with A.J. Brown?
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The Eagles will trade him between June 2 and the start of the season 55% (751)
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The Eagles will keep him 36% (488)
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The Eagles will trade him before June 1 9% (123)
Total votes: 1,362
NFC Contract Details: Cards, Falcons, Panthers, Bears, Lions, Pack, Rams, Saints, Eagles, Hawks, Commanders
Here are the details on a boatload of contracts that NFC teams have given out in recent weeks. Unless specified otherwise, all information is courtesy of Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2:
Arizona Cardinals
- Jack Gibbens, LB (two years, $7.5MM): Gibbens joined the Cardinals for a guaranteed $4.5MM, per Mike Reiss of ESPN. His deal includes cap charges of $3.73MM and $4.03MM.
- Andrew Billings, DT (one year, $2.4MM): Billings received a $1.55MM salary, $700K in guarantees and a $350K signing bonus.
- Oli Udoh, OL (one year, $1.4MM): Udoh will make $1.22MM in salary, $350K in guarantees and a $50K signing bonus, according to Howard Balzer of Cardinals Wire.
Atlanta Falcons
- Da’Shawn Hand, DT (one year, $3MM): The Falcons gave Hand a matching $1.5MM salary and signing bonus.
- Chris Williams, DL (one year, $2MM): Williams landed a $1.5MM salary and a $500K signing bonus.
- Azeez Ojulari, OLB (one year, $1.4MM): Ojulari’s pact comes with a $1.22MM salary, $387,500 in guarantees and a signing bonus of $187,500.
Carolina Panthers
- Sam Martin, P (two years, $3.75MM): Martin’s contract includes $2MM in guarantees, salaries of $1.3MM and $1.55MM, and a $750K signing bonus.
- Nick Scott, S (one year, $2MM): Scott re-upped with the Panthers for a deal worth up to $3.25MM. It comes with a $1.3MM salary, $1.1MM in guarantees and a $505K signing bonus.
Chicago Bears
- Elijah Hicks, S (one year, $2.6MM): Hicks pulled in a $2.41MM salary, $1.69MM in guarantees and a $187,500 signing bonus.
Detroit Lions
- D.J. Wonnum, DE (one year, $3MM): Wonnum received $2.27MM in guarantees, a $1.37MM salary and a $900K signing bonus.
- Rock Ya-Sin, CB (one year, $3.2MM): Ya-Sin is staying in Detroit for $2.64MM in guarantees, a $1.64MM salary and a $1MM signing bonus.
Green Bay Packers
- Skyy Moore, WR (one year, $2.5MM): Moore, who reeled in a $1MM signing bonus, will earn a $1.22MM salary.
- Nick Niemann, LB (one year, $2.25MM): The Packers handed Niemann a $500K signing bonus, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The contract has $750K in incentives, a max of $235K in per game roster bonuses and a $200K workout bonus.
Los Angeles Rams
- Grant Stuard, LB (two years, $4.45MM): The max value of Stuard’s deal checks in at $5.05MM. It carries $3.5MM in guarantees, including $1.8MM in full guarantees, salaries of $1.5MM and $2MM, and a $300K signing bonus.
New Orleans Saints
- Ryan Wright, P (four years, $14MM): Wright’s base salaries in 2026 ($1.25MM) and ’27 ($3.25MM) are fully guaranteed, Katherine Terrell of ESPN relays. He’s due to collect a $3.5MM base salary in both 2028 and ’29; $1MM of that is guaranteed for injury in ’28. The Saints gave Wright $7MM in full guarantees and a $2.5MM signing bonus.
- John Ridgeway, DT (two years, $6.2MM): Ridgeway earned a matching $1.65MM signing bonus and guaranteed money total, per Terrell.
- Chris Rumph, DE (one year, $2MM): Rumph re-upped for a $1.22MM base salary and a $785K signing bonus, both of which are guaranteed (via Terrell).
Philadelphia Eagles
- Arnold Ebiketie, OLB (one year, $4.3MM): Ebiketie went from the Falcons to the Eagles for a $3MM signing bonus and a $1.3MM salary. General manager Howie Roseman tacked four void years on the contract.
- Jonathan Jones, CB (one year, $2MM): This deal also includes four void years. Jones received $2MM in guarantees, a $1.3MM salary and $500K at signing.
- Dameon Pierce, RB (one year, $1.29MM): As part of a veteran salary benefit agreement, Pierce will earn a $1.22MM salary and count $1.15MM against the cap. The Eagles gave him $250K in full guarantees.
Seattle Seahawks
- Brady Russell, FB (two years, $4.8MM): Russell’s agreement features $2.15MM in total guarantees, salaries of $1.5MM and $1.79MM, and a $1MM signing bonus.
- Jack Stoll, LS (two years, $2.91MM): Stoll picked up $1.2MM in fully guaranteed money and a $500K signing bonus, per Brady Henderson of ESPN.
- Noah Igbinoghene, CB (one year, $1.81MM): Along with a $1.22MM salary, Igbinoghene will collect $750K in full guarantees, including a $250K signing bonus.
Washington Commanders
- Jeremy Reaves, S (one year, $6.45MM): The Commanders added a 2028 void year to Reaves’ extension, which includes $4.15MM in guarantees, salaries of $1.3MM and $2.10MM, and a $1.65MM signing bonus.
- Dyami Brown, WR (one year, $1.75MM): Returning to Washington for a second stint, Brown signed for a $1.22MM salary and a $250K bonus.
- Jake Moody, K (one year, $1.5MM): Moody raked in $125K at signing. He will collect a $1.25MM salary.
- Jeremy McNichols, RB (one year, $1.49MM): McNichols will earn a $1.3MM salary ($1.262MM cap hit), $562,500 in total guarantees and a $162,500 signing bonus.
- Jerome Ford, RB (one year, $1.4MM): Washington gave Ford a $1.22MM salary ($1.262MM hit), $437,500 in total guarantees and a $137,500 signing bonus.
Rams Called Eagles About A.J. Brown, Engaged In Davante Adams Trade Talks
Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are set to remain the Rams’ top two receivers in 2026. Based on the team’s conversations on the trade front, though, that was not always guaranteed to be the case. 
During an appearance on PFT Live at the annual league meeting, general manager Les Snead confirmed the team engaged in trade calls with the Eagles about A.J. Brown. Los Angeles has long been a known Brown suitor, with the same also being true of the Patriots. As Snead noted, the Rams were never close to acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler.
“We chatted with Philly, nothing worked out,” Snead said (via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith). “There were talks, we had discussions, didn’t work out. That happens.”
[RELATED: Nacua Extension Not Imminent]
In the event discussions with Philadelphia had resulted in a Brown trade, a corresponding move would have involved Adams. It was reported earlier this month Los Angeles contemplated trading Adams, something head coach Sean McVay confirmed on Monday. McVay also noted (via Dianna Russini of The Athletic) the team remained in contact with Adams while trade discussions were taking place.
“We really talked about some different avenues of onboarding other players and how it might affect Davante,” McVay said (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop). “If we felt like it was best for our team, we would have done that. But we didn’t think it was best for our team.
“There’s a lot of stuff that’s out there that’s not accurate, but when there is at least some accuracy or some thought to it, you want to deal with that direct, honest and open. And there’s been instances where I wasn’t as good about that in previous years, and so I don’t want to make those same mistakes.”
Adams joined the Rams on a two-year deal last offseason, a move which was beneficial for all involved. Taking on a large role in the team’s post-Cooper Kupp offense, Adams led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches. He received a $6MM roster bonus roughly two weeks ago as part of his $24MM in compensation for the 2026 campaign. Trading away the 33-year-old would have yielded considerable cap savings (thus making a Brown acquisition much more feasible from a financial perspective), but instead Adams will prepare for a second Rams campaign.
Brown is still in place with the Eagles, although speculation about a trade in his case continues. A move ending his Philadelphia tenure could take place after June 1 given the financial benefits of waiting beyond that date in the team’s case. Based on Snead’s comments, the Rams should not be expected to circle back on the Brown front. Similarly, Adams can be expected to remain in the fold after his future was uncertain.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth, and weeks remain until this year’s deadline. In the meantime, we will use the space below to track all the 2027 option decisions from around the league:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM)
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM)
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM)
- DE Tyree Wilson, Raiders ($14.48MM)
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM)
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM)
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM)
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM)
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM)
- DE Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM)
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM)
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): To be exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM)
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): To be exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM)
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM)
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised*
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM)
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): To be exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): To be exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM)
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): To be exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM)
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): To be exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM)
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM)
- DE Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM)
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($13.75MM)
* = Seahawks gave Smith-Njigba four-year, $168.6MM extension
Falcons Expected To Hire Eagles’ Jeff Scott As Assistant GM
The Falcons’ hierarchy has generated interest this offseason, after ownership cleaned house. The team added Matt Ryan and Ian Cunningham to right the ship, with the NFL viewing Ryan’s role as enough to deny the Bears two third-round picks for losing a minority exec (Cunningham) to a GM role.
Chicago promoted from within (Jeff King) to fill Cunningham’s assistant general manager post, while KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports the Falcons are expected to make an outside hire to fill their AGM job. Eagles VP of football operations Jeff Scott is expected to be named the next Falcons assistant GM.
Scott worked with Cunningham in Philadelphia. The Eagles lost four execs to assistant GM roles in 2022 — Cunningham (Bears), Brandon Brown (Giants), Catherine Hickman (Browns) and Andy Weidl (Steelers) — but Cunningham and Scott overlapped in Philly from 2021-22. The Eagles hired Scott in 2021, bringing him over from Washington.
Spending nine years in Washington — most of which coming under then-president Bruce Allen — Scott climbed to the assistant director of pro scouting role by 2020. The Commanders had shaken up their organizational hierarchy in 2020, dismissing Allen and hiring Ron Rivera to head up operations from his HC post. Scott joined the Eagles as a senior pro scout and climbed to their director of football ops post in 2022, when the wave of execs left Philly for AGM roles elsewhere.
The Eagles elevated Scott to VP of football ops in 2024. This came at a key juncture for career advancement, as the Eagles assembled a strong roster ahead of their Super Bowl LIX rout of the Chiefs. Scott, who began his NFL run as an intern with Washington 14 years ago, has not taken any GM interviews. Moving to the assistant GM level, however, could greenlight some.
While many AGM positions represent top lieutenant roles, this one — thanks to Ryan’s role as president of football, a position the Falcons created for their former MVP quarterback — will bring third-in-command status. Still, Scott will be expected to become an integral part of Atlanta’s overhaul. For the Eagles, this will mark yet another Howie Roseman lieutenant to move to a high-ranking front office role elsewhere. Cunningham has climbed to the GM tier, while the other three execs to leave in 2022 have taken interviews. Brown, Hickman and Weidl each remain in their respective AGM roles; Scott now joins them on this tier.
Eagles Sign LB Chandler Martin
Chandler Martin will continue his rehab in Philly. The free agent linebacker is signing a two-year deal with the Eagles, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston.
Martin earned first-team All-AAC honors during his two seasons at Memphis before going undrafted in the 2025 draft. He quickly caught on with the Ravens, and after being among the team’s final preseason cuts, he earned a role on Baltimore’s practice squad.
He spent most of the season on the taxi squad but got his way into three games with the Ravens, compiling five tackles while playing exclusively on special teams. He suffered a torn ACL in Week 13, ending his season prematurely and putting the start of his 2026 season in doubt.
The Eagles won’t have to rush Martin back from his injury considering their two-year commitment to the linebacker. Philadelphia doesn’t have a real immediate need for depth at the position. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell are fully entrenched atop the depth chart, while the likes of Jeremiah Trotter, Smael Mondon, and Chance Campbell will compete for backup reps. The Eagles are hoping Martin can join that grouping before the 2026 season is through.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman Addresses A.J. Brown Trade Talk
Trade speculation continues to surround Eagles receiver A.J. Brown. To no surprise, general manager Howie Roseman was asked about the situation on Monday at the league meeting. 
“I understand that there’s interest in the A.J. Brown story,” Roseman said (via ESPN’s Tim McManus). “I, unfortunately, don’t have a home under a rock. But my answer to any question on A.J. Brown is A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles. From my perspective, anything you ask me about A.J. Brown, I’m going to go right back to that answer.”
Roseman has previously offered stronger statements on the subject during the lead-up to free agency. The Eagles’ reported preference was to have a Brown resolution in place by the start of the new league year, but deep into March his status is still unclear. No trade request has been issued by the three-time Pro Bowler, but talk of a move ending his Eagles tenure has been long-running and has not been quieted through the offseason. The Patriots in particular loom as landing spot many have pointed to for Brown.
Given the cap implications of working out a trade prior to June 1, an expectation has emerged that one will only take place after that date. Plenty of things can and will change from a roster-building perspective in the meantime, thanks in large part to next month’s draft. It was nevertheless recently deemed “inevitable” a trade will eventually be worked out in Brown’s case. The 28-year-old has topped 1,000 yards in each of his four Philadelphia campaigns, making him an attractive option for any number of suitors. Taking on the remainder of Brown’s contract (which runs through 2029) late in the offseason will be a challenge in most cases, though.
None of the teams on Brown’s wish list have been heavily linked to an acquisition so far. That could change, of course, but a key factor with respect to any suitor will be the trade price set by Roseman. A first-round pick and more has been seen as a requirement for the Eagles to consider moving on in this case; no offers at that level are known to have been submitted.
Philadelphia has added Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore to the WR depth chart in free agency. Moore and A.J. Brown were teammates for one year at Ole Miss, although Roseman said factors such as familiarity were not taken into consideration when the team made its offseason moves. How the team’s setup at the position shakes out will remain a storyline to monitor as the spring unfolds.
Eagles Agree To Sign OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
After failing to retain top free agent pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, the Eagles continue to address his position. According to Zach Berman of The Athletic, Philadelphia is adding Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to its defense. He will be joining the Eagles on a one-year deal, per Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com. 
A first-round pick out of Washington in 2021, Tryon-Shoyinka was the Buccaneers’ top pick the year after winning the Super Bowl. Working behind starters Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, Tryon-Shoyinka produced decent contributions as a rookie, logging four sacks, five tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, and three batted passes. As Pierre-Paul moved on, Tryon-Shoyinka earned a starting role in Year 2 but failed to produce much more despite the increase in opportunities.
In Tryon-Shoyinka’s third year in Tampa, he started the 2023 season as a starter, once again, but by the end of the season, third-round rookie YaYa Diaby had taken over a starting role across from from Barrett. Tryon-Shoyinka had started with four, four, and five sacks in his first three seasons, respectively, and Diaby topped his single-season best in his rookie year alone. In the final year of his rookie contract, Tryon-Shoyinka began the year again as a starter, this time across from Diaby. After logging only two sacks in 11 games, the Buccaneers began putting veteran Anthony Nelson in a starting role in his place.
Tampa Bay allowed Tryon-Shoyinka to walk in free agency after his rookie contract expired. He signed a one-year, $4.75MM with the Browns but saw more time on special teams than on defense in Cleveland. Halfway through the season, the Bears opted to send a sixth-round pick to the Browns in exchange for Tryon-Shoyinka and a seventh-rounder, and though he saw bit more time on defense in Chicago, he wasn’t able to contribute much on to the stat sheet.
In Philadelphia, Tryon-Shoyinka joins a position group that returns only Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, and he’ll actually reunite with Jose Ramirez who played with him on the Buccaneers in 2024. Further upgrades to the pass rush are likely still needed, but based on the level of free agent the team has been able to sign at the position (Tryon-Shoyinka and former Falcons second-round pick Arnold Ebiketie), the draft may need to be the source of the team’s answers at the position.
Latest On Panthers’ Kenny Pickett Acquisition, Andy Dalton Trade
Earlier this month, the Panthers signed quarterback and former first-round pick Kenny Pickett. That transaction seemed to point Andy Dalton out of Charlotte, and indeed, the club dealt the veteran passer to the Eagles shortly after the Pickett signing.
According to Panthers vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis (via ESPN’s David Newton), the motivation behind the QB room shakeup was simple: the team wanted Pickett to work as starter Bryce Young’s backup in 2026, and Dalton – who had served as Young’s backup over the past three seasons – still wants to compete for a QB2 opportunity. Philadelphia offers such an opportunity, and a trade was consummated.
The guaranteed money in Pickett’s Carolina contract ($4MM) is actually identical to what Dalton is due to earn in the last year of his current deal ($3.9MM base salary plus $100K workout bonus). Clearly, the Pickett-for-Dalton switch was not motivated by finances and was driven instead by other factors.
Getting younger is one such factor, but there could also be a belief in Pickett’s upside at play here. Although the Panthers finished the 2025 regular season with an 8-9 record, that was good enough to win the NFC South, and Carolina nearly toppled the Rams in the wildcard round of the playoffs. As such, if there were not a certain amount of faith in Pickett, it would have made sense for a team that has designs on another postseason run to keep the more established Dalton rather than replace him with a player who has not yet found much success at the professional level.
On the other hand, Dalton has posted a 1-6 record as a starter during his Carolina tenure, along with an 84.5 quarterback rating. Those underwhelming figures could have led Panthers brass to believe Pickett at least will be no worse than Dalton if he is pressed into action, and since Pickett – the No. 20 overall pick of the 2022 draft – is nearly 11 years younger than his 38-year-old predecessor, there still may be another level for him to unlock.
At present, there are no other signal-callers on the Panthers’ depth chart, while the Eagles are still rostering Tanner McKee. A sixth-round pick in 2023, McKee has started just two games in his NFL career, though he has shown enough promise to pop up in trade rumors concerning QB-needy clubs. For now, he and Dalton are poised to battle for the backup job behind Jalen Hurts, but ever-opportunistic GM Howie Roseman has a highly-experienced insurance policy in Dalton should he receive an acceptable offer for McKee.