Eagles RB Named Philly’s Top Trade Candidate Heading Into Deadline
The Philadelphia Eagles might soon have more running backs than touches to go around, and A.J. Dillon’s name is quietly surfacing as a potential trade candidate before the 2025 deadline.
Philadelphia’s 38–20 victory over the New York Giants in Week 8 gave the league a glimpse of what the Eagles’ backfield could look like moving forward. New addition Tank Bigsby, who had just one carry before Sunday, erupted for 104 yards on nine attempts — that’s an eye-opening 11.6 yards per carry — while Saquon Barkley added 150 yards and a receiving touchdown.
The performance likely settled any lingering questions about Bigsby’s place in the rotation — he’s RB2 now — and it may have also made Dillon expendable, as ESPN named Dillon the team’s top trade candidate.
“Tank Bigsby’s emergence in recent weeks (he rushed for over 100 yards against the Giants after Philly traded for himin September) has pushed Dillon down to fourth on the depth chart behind Saquon Barkley, Bigsby and Will Shipley,” Tim McManus of ESPN wrote on October 29. “Dillon has been solid for Philadelphia this season, but there’s not much of a role for him currently.”
More on Why the Philadelphia Eagles Could Trade RB A.J. Dillon After Tank Bigsby’s Breakout
GettyRB AJ Dillon could be a trade candidate for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Through Week 8, Dillon has just 12 carries for 60 yards and two receptions for 18 more. His touches have been sporadic, spread across a handful of appearances — three carries here, a catch there — with no touchdowns to show for it. He’s healthy now, but his role in the offense has yet to materialize in a meaningful way.
Health, of course, has been a storyline for Dillon since he missed the entire 2024 season with a neck injury. Once one of the league’s more promising power backs in Green Bay, he joined the Eagles in March on a one-year deal worth roughly $1.34 million, including $167,500 guaranteed. Dillon has held up physically this fall, but opportunity may soon dry up behind Barkley, Bigsby and Will Shipley.
Barkley is entrenched as the starter, Bigsby just had a 100-yard game and Dillon is an unrestricted free agent after the season. With Shipley also waiting in the wings, it makes sense to see if another club is willing to take a flier on the 247-pound veteran.
The return would be paltry — likely a seventh-rounder — but it’s better than nothing.
Which Teams Might Be Interested in Adding Dillon?
There are several teams who could use reinforcements in their respective RB rooms. The Los Angeles Chargers, for instance, lost Najee Harris to a season-ending Achilles injury and placed first-round pick Omarion Hampton on injured reserve earlier this month. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh has been rotating backs from the practice squad, but Dillon’s physical style could help.
The Kansas City Chiefs are another team worth considering. With Isiah Pacheco expected to miss the upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs could be in the market for a temporary reinforcement — particularly one who won’t require financial strings beyond this season. Dillon meets that criteria.
The Chicago Bears are another option. They currently have former Eagle D’Andre Swift leading the backfield, but they could use some depth at RB, as well.
For Dillon, a change of scenery might also be welcomed at this point. He averaged 4.1 yards per carry during his years with the Packers, and he’s still capable of contributing somewhere. Based on what Bigsby is showing, though, Dillon may have to contribute somewhere else.
Cubs Urged to Trade for, Pay Orioles All-Star After Kyle Tucker Leaves
The Chicago Cubs could have a busy offseason ahead. Kyle Tucker is hitting the open market, and if the Cubs lose him, they may need to make some moves to replace his production.
Tucker is expected to sign a lucrative contract that could reach north of $400 million in total value. If the Cubs are unwilling to go that high, the team could spend elsewhere. FanSided’s Chris Landers urged the Cubs to acquire and pay Baltimore Orioles All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.
“The Cubs have the luxury of being just about locked in at every position on the diamond - except, that is, for catcher, where Carson Kelly started off strong before disappearing down the stretch this season,” wrote Landers. “It’s a spot crying out for an upgrade this offseason, and while the free-agent market is thin on impact names (outside a declining JT Realmuto), the trade market features one heck of a buy-low opportunity in Rutschman.”
Tucker had an .841 OPS and 22 home runs in what was considered a down year. The Cubs will have to find a way to replace that production, and the catcher position could use an upgrade. Carson Kelly posted a .761 OPS and had a solid season. However, Rutschman is a two-time All-Star and a Silver Slugger.
He had a down year this year and dealt with injuries. Additionally, the Orioles gave catcher Samuel Basallo a contract extension. After committing to an eight-year, $67 million extension with Basallo, Rutschman’s future may be in doubt. He did not have his best year, but he still has the potential to be an elite player. The Cubs could ink him to an extension while the price tag is low.
