It’s like you’re so fired up to win the Super Bowl, you just can’t sit still. You’re right on the edge of your shot, but the hype takes over – you leap early and grab what you want. Sure, you breathe easy for a second… but was the jump really necessary? That’s exactly how it played out for Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Round 1’s in the books, but Philly threw a curveball in the final moments – linking up with none other than their Super Bowl rival, the Kansas City Chiefs.
On Thursday, the Eagles sent the 32nd and 164th picks to the Chiefs. In return, they acquired the 31st overall selection, using that pick to add linebacker Jihaad Campbell to their roster. On the other hand, the Chiefs went for Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons. Now this trade baffled all, as many NFL fans questioned what was the use of the trade when the Eagles were already on the clock next. In addition, the Chiefs were in no way going to select Campbell.
Nevertheless, the deal was done. But before that, the Chiefs’ GM had one question to ask the Eagles before agreeing to their request. As per editor Charles Goldman on X, “Chiefs GM Brett Veach said that the trade with the Eagles, they didn’t exchange player names, just asked Howie Roseman: “Offense or defense.”” And of course, when Roseman replied “defense,” they allowed them to trade up, moving one spot ahead.
Chiefs GM Brett Veach said that the trade with the Eagles, they didn’t exchange player names, just asked Howie Roseman: “Offense or defense.”
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) April 25, 2025
So, perhaps Roseman’s Eagles weren’t expecting the Chiefs to draft an offensive player, and hence, made the decision. As per Veach, “Obviously, (I) have a good relationship with Howie (Roseman), and he does a tremendous job. When you get to these picks late in the draft, and they’re eyeing a particular player, they’re certainly worried about maybe getting jumped by another team. So we’ve done trades like this before, where we just get to the point where it’s just, tell me offensive, (or) defensive guy, don’t have to tell me the player.”
Nevertheless, Andy Reid’s team drafted their most coveted piece to their roster – Josh Simmons. But along with it, the Chiefs also made a banger!
Are the Chiefs at an advantage after Howie Roseman’s trade request?
It all came down to trust and timing. When Howie Roseman mentioned defense, Brett Veach didn’t hesitate. He just asked which side of the ball, like they’d done this dance before. Philly had their eyes locked on Campbell, the tough linebacker out of Alabama, and Veach knew it. But that’s the beauty of it – Kansas City was already set on taking Josh Simmons at 31. So, sliding back a pick and grabbing an extra fifth-rounder? It was indeed a total win. Philly gets their guy. KC still lands theirs. And Veach, well, he gets another shot to pull off something special later in the draft. In short, everybody walked away happy.
On the other hand, with Simmons on the roster, coach Andy Reid and QB Patrick Mahomes are happy. Mahomes just dropped a smiling face with sunglasses emoji, welcoming his new teammate. While Reid talked more about him in the press conference later. He said, “What you heard from the guys announcing (TV commentators) this was true. I mean, he would have been a top five or ten pick, and so it’s a position that we can use an addition of good players, and in particular at the left tackle spot, if and when he can jump in there and do that. So he’s flexible, and he can play any spot. But we felt like he was a true left tackle. We’ll see where it goes.”
Simmons was named Third-Team All-Big Ten last season for the National Champions. However, due to his torn patellar tendon in October, it impacted his draft class, pushing his projections into the later rounds. Nevertheless, the Chiefs will now have him as a protector for Patrick Mahomes. And the Eagles? Ah, they are living happily with their new strong man, Campbell, who is not only the fourth fastest LB in the league, but also one of the best in explosion/acceleration.
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