1 splash roster move Eagles could still make ahead of training camp

The Philadelphia Eagles do not need to make another major move before training camp.

That does not mean they should stop looking.

Philadelphia enters the summer with a roster still built to contend around Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Zack Baun, and Jihaad Campbell. The Eagles reshaped the offense after the A.J. Brown trade, added more speed and variety at wide receiver, strengthened the pass rush with Jonathan Greenard, and added Riq Woolen to a secondary already loaded with young talent.

Still, contenders chase edges. The Eagles have roster questions at safety, receiver depth, offensive tackle depth, and returner. If Howie Roseman sees a chance to add another impact player before camp, Philadelphia has the roster and urgency to justify one more aggressive move.

Here are four splash roster moves the Eagles could still make ahead of training camp.

1. Trade for Budda Baker

This is the biggest swing.

The Eagles’ safety room is not empty, but it is unsettled. Andrew Mukuba is entering his second season after starting as a rookie, Marcus Epps gives Philadelphia a veteran option, and Michael Carter II has worked into the safety mix after playing cornerback. The Eagles also have J.T. Gray, Andre’ Sam, Cole Wisniewski, and Maximus Pulley competing for depth roles. A current Eagles depth chart would list Epps and Mukuba at safety, which reflects the likely top pairing entering camp, but it does not eliminate the possibility of a major upgrade. Baker would change everything. He remains one of the NFL’s most respected safeties, and his range, physicality, instincts, and leadership would give Vic Fangio a proven back-end star. Baker signed a three-year, $54 million extension with Arizona in December 2024, and Spotrac lists his 2026 cap hit at $19.216 million, so any deal would require real financial planning.

2025 stats

Baker started all 16 games he played in 2025 and led Arizona with 120 tackles, adding four tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defended, and one fumble recovery; the Cardinals also note he leads all NFL defensive backs in tackles since entering the league in 2017.

Why Baker fits

Baker is one of the league’s most respected defensive backs because of his range, instincts, tackling, and leadership. He is not simply a deep safety, and he is not simply a box defender. He can align in different spots, trigger downhill against the run, handle coverage responsibilities, and bring a veteran presence to a young defensive backfield.

The contract makes it complicated.

Baker signed a three-year, $54 million extension with Arizona that runs through the 2027 season. His average annual salary is $18 million, and his 2026 cap hit is listed at more than $19 million. That is a real number for any team, even one as aggressive and creative as Philadelphia. The Eagles would have to make the money work, likely through restructuring or adjusting other parts of the roster. They would also have to decide whether adding an expensive veteran safety is worth the cost when they already have several young defensive backs who need snaps.

Arizona’s motivation would also matter. Baker remains one of the Cardinals’ best players and most respected leaders. A trade would likely require Arizona to believe it is better off gaining draft capital and cap flexibility rather than keeping a veteran star on a roster that may not be ready to contend immediately.

What the Eagles might have to give up

A realistic trade would likely require meaningful draft capital, especially because Baker is signed beyond 2026 and remains highly productive.

The Eagles would probably need to start with a Day 2 pick or a package built around multiple picks, depending on how much salary Arizona is willing to absorb and whether Philadelphia needs the Cardinals to adjust the financial structure. A player could also be involved if Arizona wanted a younger piece back, but a pick-based package would be the cleanest path.

For Philadelphia, the question would be value. Is a 30-year-old safety worth a premium pick and a major salary commitment?

How Baker changes the defense

A Baker trade would allow the Eagles to build one of the NFC’s most versatile back sevens.

Mitchell and Woolen could handle outside cornerback roles. DeJean could remain a movable defensive back with nickel, safety, and return value. Mukuba could grow next to a veteran star. Baker could handle communication, run support, and matchup flexibility. Carter II and Epps would become high-level depth instead of players the Eagles are forced to rely on every snap.

Final analysis

That makes this more of a true splash move than a simple roster suggestion. The football fit is clean. The financial and trade realities are not.

Still, the football fit is obvious. Baker would give Philadelphia a championship-level safety, allow Mukuba to grow without carrying too much responsibility, and create one of the NFC’s most dangerous secondaries with Mitchell, DeJean, Woolen, and Baker as the headliners.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 1 splash roster move Eagles could still make ahead of training camp