Philadelphia Eagles–Washington Commanders Trade History

Washington sent tackle Walt Stickel to Philadelphia on August 17, 1950, and received the Eagles’ 1951 second-round selection, later used at No. 21 on Jim Staton. Staton played only eight NFL games for Washington without a start before continuing his career in Canada. Stickel, meanwhile, gave Philadelphia two seasons and started 10 games in 1951, producing the better realized return.

Washington moved quarterback Al Dorow to Philadelphia for a 1958 third-round pick and selected Tennessee end Bill Anderson at No. 31. Dorow appeared in six games with one start for the Eagles. Anderson became a six-year Washington receiving fixture, made two Pro Bowls, topped 700 receiving yards in 1959, and ultimately produced more than 3,000 NFL receiving yards.

Philadelphia received Volney Peters; Washington received Menil Mavraides. Washington's 1958 guide and contemporary reporting confirm the Peters-for-Mavraides swap. Peters played 10 games for Philadelphia in 1958, while Mavraides' documented NFL career ended before he produced regular-season service for Washington. The hindsight grades are B for Philadelphia Eagles and D+ for Washington Redskins/Commanders, producing a Philadelphia Eagles Win verdict.

Philadelphia Eagles and Washington completed this transaction on 1958-07-17, with Philadelphia Eagles receiving Don Owens and Washington receiving Jim Weatherall. The cited historical sources support the basic exchange and its compensation. The long-term value remained modest on both sides, leaving the exchange best graded as an even result.

Philadelphia received Jim Schrader and Ben Scotti, two veterans who provided more than a one-game return and gave the Eagles useful roster value. Neither transformed the franchise, so the gain should not be exaggerated, but the combined service of two incoming players gives Philadelphia a slight edge over Washington's package in a close, veteran-for-veteran exchange.

Philadelphia Eagles received 1963 eighth round pick (#106-Gene Sykes) in the 1962-09-05 exchange, while Washington Redskins received Ed Khayat / Eddie Khayat. Philadelphia converted Khayat into the 1963 eighth-round choice at No. 106, used on Gene Sykes. Sykes supplied only modest value, so the pick return did not create a decisive long-term advantage.

Washington acquired quarterback Sonny Jurgensen and defensive back Jimmy Carr from Philadelphia for quarterback Norm Snead and defensive back Claude Crabb on March 31, 1964. Jurgensen became one of Washington's defining quarterbacks, repeatedly led the league in major passing categories and ultimately entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His star-level longevity created the largest individual return from a trade that also sent Philadelphia a legitimate long-term starter.

Philadelphia sent the rights to Joe Kantor to Washington and received the 1968 fifth-round choice that became No. 122 Mike Dirks. Dirks played 43 games for the Eagles from 1968 through 1971, giving Philadelphia several seasons of roster value. Kantor appeared in only four games for Washington, so the Eagles clearly converted the draft consideration into the more productive return.

Washington acquired Dick Absher from Philadelphia on October 19, 1967, with the stored return to Philadelphia listed as cash. Absher appeared in one game for Washington before being released, so neither side realized much football value from the move. In hindsight, the grades are C for Philadelphia Eagles and C for Washington, producing a Push verdict. The modest scoring reflects the limited scale of the transaction.

Philadelphia sent Mike Morgan to Washington and received two 1969 picks, No. 218 Lynn Buss and No. 243 Donnie Shanklin. Two selections gave the Eagles more optionality than a single late pick, but neither return produced enough value to outweigh Washington’s immediate player acquisition. The difference is modest, leaving Philadelphia with a fair but slightly weaker result.

Washington acquired Jim Norton from Philadelphia for Jim Carroll in June 1969. Norton appeared in five games and started four for Washington, giving the club a short but concrete return. Carroll did not provide Philadelphia with comparable regular-season value after the exchange, so Washington wins the deal, although Norton's limited tenure keeps the grades modest.

Philadelphia sent cornerback Joe Lavender to Washington in 1976 and received defensive lineman Manny Sistrunk plus three future picks: 1977 No. 158, 1978 No. 130 and 1979 No. 94. The package gave the Eagles several chances to recover value, but none matched Lavender's sustained impact in Washington. In hindsight, the quantity on Philadelphia's side did not overcome the quality of the player it surrendered.

Philadelphia acquired Bob Holly from Washington for a 1985 seventh-round pick, later identified as No. 177 Jamie Harris. The Eagles did not receive meaningful regular-season value from Holly. Washington at least converted a surplus quarterback into draft capital, but Harris was among the team’s August 1985 cuts and did not become a regular-season contributor. With both acquired assets producing little, the fairest hindsight result is an even trade at a low grade.

Philadelphia Eagles and Washington completed this exchange on 1999-04-28. Philadelphia Eagles received 2000 6th round pick (192nd overall, John Romero), while Washington received Rodney Peete. The historical sources agree on the core package and transaction identity. In hindsight, For a minor transaction, usable quarterback depth carried more realized value than the eventual draft outcome. Washington therefore deserves a modest edge rather than an inflated grade. The final grades are C for Philadelphia Eagles and B- for Washington, producing a Washington Commanders Win verdict.

Philadelphia Eagles and Washington completed this exchange on 2004-03-31. Philadelphia Eagles received 2005 5th round pick (146th overall, Trent Cole), while Washington received James Thrash. The historical sources agree on the core package and transaction identity. In hindsight, The deal is a classic example of a modest draft asset turning into premium value. Thrash gave Washington functional depth, while Cole produced years of high-end defensive play, creating a decisive gap. The final grades are A+ for Philadelphia Eagles and D for Washington, producing a Philadelphia Eagles Win verdict.

Philadelphia traded Donovan McNabb within the division for pick No. 37 in 2010 and a conditional 2011 selection that became No. 104. The Eagles drafted safety Nate Allen with the second-rounder and later traded No. 104 for Casey Matthews plus a 2012 fourth-round pick. McNabb started only 13 games for Washington before the relationship collapsed. Philadelphia extracted multiple years of value from a quarterback it was ready to replace.

Philadelphia sent 2021 picks No. 225 and No. 240 to Washington for a 2022 fifth-round selection. The Eagles preserved future draft flexibility and later moved that fifth-rounder in another sequence of transactions rather than making the selection themselves. That future asset had value, but Washington received multiple seasons from the specialist it targeted, leaving Philadelphia with the smaller realized return.

Philadelphia moved from No. 50 to No. 40 by sending Washington picks No. 50, 53 and 161 for Nos. 40, 78 and 152. The Eagles selected Cooper DeJean, who became a Super Bowl playmaker and first-team All-Pro. Washington used No. 50 on Mike Sainristil and also added Ben Sinnott and Dominique Hampton, leaving both clubs with substantial young talent from the exchange.

Washington traded Jahan Dotson and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia for a 2025 third-rounder and two 2025 seventh-rounders. Dotson helped the Eagles' championship run but remained a low-volume receiver, posting 216 regular-season yards in 2024 and 262 in 2025. Washington converted a player outside its plans into substantially stronger draft capital, giving the Commanders the long-term value edge.