NFL Trade Machine: Mychal Kendricks To Green Bay

Dec 1, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) rushes the passer during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Cardinals 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

At this point, everybody should just assume that every player on the Philadelphia Eagles roster is available for NFL trade.  That is how Chip Kelly has made it seem after dealing away LeSean McCoy and Nick Foles during the 2015 off-season thus far.  Nobody is entirely sure what the coach has planned for his team.  All they know is it’s making for some crazy theories.

Now a new name has joined the fray in linebacker Mychal Kendricks.  This is a major surprise considering he was arguably the best defender the Eagles had last season outside of Connor Barwin.  Kendricks led the team with 83 tackles and also posted four sacks and three forced fumbles.  He also rated as their best linebacker in coverage according to Pro Football Focus.

So if he’s on the block, it’s clear either he’s at odds with Kelly or Philadelphia is trying to collect as many high draft picks as possible.

Indeed it’s somewhat ironic that Kendricks would become available at the same time his younger brother Eric is preparing to enter the NFL draft.  Considering the Green Bay Packers badly need help at inside linebacker and likely won’t be able to get high enough for him, flipping a 2nd or 3rd round choice for a more proven player in Mychal sounds appealing.

Benefits To Packers

At this point, Green Bay is about acquiring singular talents for their roster because they are already set for a championship run.  There are just a few openings they need to fill.  Mychal Kendrick would definitely fill a big one and the draft cost would be minimal in the long-term.  He doesn’t turn 25 until September and has plenty of football left to play in his career.

Benefits To Eagles

Honestly this is pretty hard to assess.  NFL trade maneuvers have become a preference for the Eagles of late and nobody is sure what they are trying to accomplish.  Trading a young, ascending player in his prime makes little sense.  Still, one must believe this is about acquiring a high draft choice.  Kendricks would do that.  Whether it’s meant to build them a package for moving up to get Marcus Mariota would be pure speculation.