NFL Lockout Prevented Patrick Peterson from becoming an Eagle

When the NFL went into a lockout back in 2011 several potentially franchise-changing moves were never able to come to fruition. The latest story to come out of that era involves the Philadelphia Eagles nearly being able to draft Pro-Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson in 2012.

Kolb was the Eagles second round quarterback from the 2007 draft. Originally destined to be the heir to Donovan McNabb, Kolb played limited snaps in his first couple seasons with the Eagles. After the team traded McNabb to Washington prior to the 2010 season, Kolb was named the starter over Michael Vick. The two went back and forth as the starter due to injuries, but Kolb flashed signs of being a starting NFL quarterback. At the end of the season though, it was clear the franchise wanted to start Vick over Kolb for the long term.

On NFL Insiders, for Eagles President and current ESPN analyst Joe Banner described the scenario, probably knowing scores of Eagles fans were sobbing on their couches.

"“When we were in Philadelphia, we traded Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round draft pick. The original trade was the fifth pick of the draft – which we were targeting Patrick Peterson for – and the second round pick the next year. Because there was a lockout, we weren’t allowed to make trades going into the draft or else Patrick Peterson would have been a Philadelphia Eagle.”"

Because of the lockout, the trade was put on hold and the Eagles were forced to wait until the 18 week standoff between owners and players ended. Instead of acquiring the 5th overall pick and a second round pick, the Eagles were left with the later pick and a mid-tier cornerback. The second round pick the Eagles acquired was later traded for two mid round picks, which were used to draft Vinny Curry and Brandon Boykin.

As for Kolb, the future heir of the Eagles starting job was named the starter in Arizona over John Skelton. After suffering a concussion and major rib injury, Kolb was released after the 2012 season. He got one more opportunity to play, this time with the Bills. Unfortunately his third major NFL concussion forced him to retire in 2014.

Because they did not have a shutdown corner, the Eagles signed free agent Nnamdi Asomugha away from the Raiders as part of the Eagles “dream team” free agency attempt. Asomugha is now known as one of the greatest busts in Philadelphia history.

As for Patrick Peterson, the man who would have virtually swapped for the oft-injured Kolb, the cornerback is well on his way to finishing his career with some lofty accolades behind his name. The original trade would have been one of the greatest steals of all time if not for the CBA negotiations. The NFL is and will always be a league of “what ifs,” but this may be one of the greatest of all.