2023 NFL trade deadline winners and losers, including Philadelphia Eagles and Ron Rivera
The 2023 NFL trade deadline has now passed with several contending teams making some big-time moves. The Philadelphia Eagles remained active in adding to their secondary leading up to the annual deadline.
Remaining in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers bought low for a key cog on the defensive line. Other contenders were less active, making us wondering what they were thinking.
As for teams selling ahead of the deadline, the New York Giants did some real good stuff while the New England Patriots sat on their hands. These are among the winners and losers from the 2023 NFL trade deadline.
Related: NFL trade tracker with grades
Winner: Philadelphia Eagles go for it with another blockbuster trade
Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman is never one to shy away from making that blockbuster trade. Just look at how the deal for A.J. Brown during the 2022 NFL Draft has worked out for the Eagles (60 receptions, 939 yards and five touchdowns in 2023). That didn’t change ahead of the 2023 NFL trade deadline with the Eagles acquiring two-time Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard from the Tennessee Titans. In return, the Eagles gave up a mere fifth-and-sixth-round-pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Byard, 30, has been a dominating center fielder throughout his career in the NFL. He recorded a combined nine interceptions in 2021 and 2022. Last season saw Byard also yield a mere 77.8 QB rating when targeted. Acquiring a player of his ilk at a need position for pennies on the dollar was absolutely a win for the Eagles.
Related: Updated 2024 NFL Draft order after trade deadline
Loser: New England Patriots fail big time as NFL trade deadline
New England found itself at 2-6 heading into Tuesday’s deadline. The common belief around league circles was that Bill Belichick and Co. would sell off veterans and impending free agents. Sure, the season-ending ACL injury that Kendrick Bourne suffered on Sunday hurt in this regard. He was firmly on the block. But the inability to move other assets didn’t paint New England in the best of lights.
EDGE rusher Josh Uche and safety Kyler Dugger are slated to hit free agency. New England wasn’t able to agree to extensions with either defensive player ahead of the deadline. Why not move them for draft capital? The Pats need to stop considering themselves contenders and move to the future. Lacking the drive to acquire necessary draft picks for players who don’t fit into their long-term plans didn’t make sense.
Winner: New York Giants win NFL trade deadline with one move
Giants GM Joe Schoen did what other bottom-feeders wouldn’t do ahead of the deadline. That is to say, sell off on veterans who might not fit their long-term plans. In particular, impending free agents.
That’s exactly what New York did on the eve of the NFL trade deadline, sending defensive lineman Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks for a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and a fifth rounder in 2025. By agreeing to pay a vast majority of his contract for ther remainder of the season, New York was able to acquire a premium for the veteran.
