Is there a general manager more dangerous on the phone than Howie Roseman of the Philadelphia Eagles?
Once considered the architect for the downfall of the Doug Pederson era, Roseman’s shrewd dealings and strong draft record have rebounded in a way few executives have seen and it’s left the Eagles more talented than ever.
It’s also meant that other general managers may be more inclined to worry when Roseman comes calling.
“He’s done a great job in Philly. But he’s also one of those guys where I have to keep both hands in my back pockets when I’m talking to Howie. And I mean that in the most complimentary way,” New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said on the Green Light Podcast.
Loomis’ comments come after the very popular trade between the Saints and Eagles that brought Philadelphia AJ Brown, Jalen Carter, and a 2024 second-round pick. New Orleans in turn received Chris Olave, Trevor Penning, and Jordan Jackson. Philadelphia used the moves last year to reach the Super Bowl while the Saints finished at a disappointing 7-10.
New Orleans may have learned a lesson when it comes to dealing with Howie Roseman, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the NFL will. With two weeks before the start of the 2023 regular season, this is usually the time when Roseman is at his most dangerous: making moves with little risk but high reward.
In 2022, the Eagles brought in Chauncey Gardner-Johnson from the Saints (oh look) for a mid-round pick. CGJ was a key part of the team’s secondary and even gave them a comp pick after leaving in free agency. In 2017 the team traded Jordan Matthews to Buffalo for Ronald Darby. Darby helped the team win their first Super Bowl while Matthews was back with the team just a year later.
Eagles are always lurking…
No one knows the moves Roseman could be thinking of before the start of the season. The 2023 Eagles are considered one of the most talented teams in the league with plenty of teams eyeing to supplant them in the NFC.
Could another safety be brought in? A linebacker? How about a First-Team All-Pro running back?
Roseman could do anything over the next two weeks to better the team he has constructed, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if a deal was made. The real question is after so many deals in which he seemed to “fleece” opposing organizations, are other executives going to catch on and simply not pick up when he calls? Will they even be able to resist a strong Roseman proposal?
All that is known right now is that the phones are on and “Howie Season” is still underway as of now.
