With a clear need at middle linebacker the Eagles made one of the only trade deadline moves of the day, picking up veteran MLB Will Witherspoon from the Rams. The Birds gave up rookie WR Brandon Gibson and a fifth round pick in the deal.
This is really a win-win trade for both sides. The Eagles get a very solid starter in Witherspoon who has some impressive seasons on his resume, while the Rams get a very talented young receiver and another pick to help in the rebuilding process. I’m sad to see Gibson go (especially when he was one of my darkhorse picks to make the team in camp) but this will be a great opportunity for him to prove himself at the NFL level. The Rams are remarkably thin at receiver so Brandon should get his chance to shine sooner rather than later.
Witherspoon, 29, has dealt with a few injuries this season and is coming off one of his worst statistic years in the league. That being said he has three 100+ tackle seasons under his belt along with 19 career sacks, so he should be a good fit for the Eagles blitz happy defense. The Birds always have a way of getting the best out of acquired vets at linebacker (see: Shawn Barber, Jeremiah Trotter) so I’m excited to see Will rockin’ the midnight green. He’ll be a huge improvement over Gaither/Trotter/Mays, that’s for sure.
