The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense is facing a serious challenge this season, especially when it comes to putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
With just six sacks so far, the Eagles are tied for second-fewest in the league, a stat they’re not proud of.
As they prepare for their next game against the 1-4 Cleveland Browns, the pressure is on—literally.
But it’s not just the sacks that are lacking; their overall defense ranks 27th, and they’re giving up an average of 5 yards per run.
So clearly, something needs to change.
They hoped Bryce Huff would be part of the solution when they signed him to a three-year, $51 million contract this offseason.
Huff had a great season with the New York Jets last year, racking up 10 sacks.
But this year, things haven’t gone as planned.
Through four games, Huff has managed only two tackles and zero sacks.
Adjusting to the Eagles’ new defensive style under coach Vic Fangio has been tougher than expected.
So, what’s the next move for the Eagles?
One potential solution floating around is a trade for Von Miller, a veteran pass rusher from the Buffalo Bills.
Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports thinks this move could help the Eagles address their problems. And this idea has some potential.
Miller knows Fangio’s style well from their time together with the Denver Broncos, which could make him a good fit for the Eagles.
But there’s a catch—Miller is currently serving a four-game suspension related to allegations of assault in November 2023.
That means he wouldn’t be able to join the team until Week 9, right before the trade deadline.
However, timing isn’t the only issue since Von Miller comes with a hefty price tag.
He’s in the third year of a six-year, $120 million contract.
His contract would cost nearly $15 million this year, and if the Eagles wanted to release him later, they would be penalized over $15 million in 2025.
That’s, undoubtedly, a lot of money for a player who won’t be able to contribute right away.
So, it’s no wonder that Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman might be hesitant to take the plunge.
Still, there’s no denying Von Miller’s skills and experience.
He’s been a standout player throughout his career, with eight Pro Bowl appearances and seven All-Pro honors.
Even this season, in just four games before his suspension, he managed to get 3 sacks, 4 hits on quarterbacks, and 3 tackles for loss.
With 126.5 sacks and 167 tackles for loss over 14 years, Miller is a proven game-changer.
He could bring some much-needed firepower to the Eagles’ defense.
But the question remains: Would it be worth taking on such a big contract for a player who wouldn’t be able to help immediately?
Well, if the Eagles were to trade for Miller, they’d need to be ready to wait until Week 9 for him to return, and that’s right before the trade deadline.
Benjamin notes that the Eagles should be cautious about adding older, expensive players like Miller.
But it’s hard to ignore the fact that the Eagles desperately need a stronger pass rush.
Right now, they’re tied with the Carolina Panthers and Cincinnati Bengals for the fewest sacks in the league—both teams struggling with just one win each.
And this lack of pressure has put more stress on the rest of the defense, making it harder to stop their opponents.
For now, the Eagles might try to get more out of their current roster, particularly Bryce Huff.
Coach Vic Fangio has noticed some progress in Huff, especially in areas like run defense, which he wasn’t asked to focus on much before.
Fangio remains hopeful that Huff can get more comfortable in his role and start delivering the results the team needs.
And it’s too early to say for sure if the Eagles will make a move for Von Miller.
Though the trade may bring the spark they need, it comes with a lot of challenges.
If the Eagles decide to pass on Miller, it’ll be up to players like Huff to step up and give the defense the boost it needs.
The next few weeks will be critical in shaping the rest of their season, and whatever decision they make could make or break their playoff hopes.
As the Eagles continue to work this tough spot, fans can only hope that whatever choice they make, it’s the one that turns things around for their defense—and keeps their season alive.
