The Philadelphia Eagles have made several roster changes ahead of the start of the NFL season, acquiring three veteran players and trading away an offensive lineman as part of efforts to strengthen their lineup.
Executive Vice President and General Manager Howie Roseman led the transactions over the past eight days. The team brought in wide receiver John Metchie III from the Houston Texans, quarterback Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings, and tackle Fred Johnson from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Additionally, offensive lineman Darian Kinnard was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick.
Roseman addressed these moves at a press conference on Tuesday. Regarding Metchie, who was acquired along with a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Harrison Bryant and a 2026 fifth-round pick, Roseman said: “I liked a lot of things about his tape at Alabama,” adding that both he and head coach Nick Sirianni reviewed Metchie’s college performance. “He’s a natural separator. He can play inside and out. He’s really good at the top of the route. He’s a really good route runner. He’s got really good hands. Tremendous character. Tremendous character.”
Metchie joins an established group of wide receivers including A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, and rookie Darius Cooper.
After their final preseason game, the Eagles traded for quarterback Sam Howell by sending Minnesota a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick in exchange for Howell and a 2026 sixth-round selection. Howell returns to the NFC East after previously starting for Washington during the 2023 season.
Roseman explained his interest in Howell: “(I) had a lot of appreciation for him as a player and his talent level and the person that he was, spending time with him, so a guy who’s always on our radar,” he said. “… In this instance, just felt like Sam had a lot of value for our team right now.”
Although backup quarterback Tanner McKee is currently dealing with an injury to his finger, Roseman noted that acquiring Howell would have been pursued regardless: “With our first two quarterbacks, we just thought it was an opportunity to improve in the short-term quarterback position, which is obviously a hugely important position,” he said.
On Monday, Philadelphia sent a 2026 seventh-round pick to Jacksonville in return for tackle Fred Johnson. Johnson previously played two seasons with Philadelphia before joining Jacksonville via free agency but is now returning to serve as depth on the offensive line.
“When the opportunity arose to bring him back, we jumped at it,” Roseman stated regarding Johnson’s return. “Just someone that we feel really good about having here. That offensive tackle position, just like the quarterback position, you can never have too many of those guys that come in and play for you over the course of a season.
“We’re trying to play a lot of games here. And so over the course of those games, you’re gonna need guys to step up in backup roles. And Fred has shown he can do it at a championship level. Just really excited to bring him back.”
These recent trades were made as part of efforts by Philadelphia’s management team to finalize their roster before reducing it down to 53 players as required by league rules.
