Philadelphia, PA – October 14, 2025 – As the NFL trade deadline on November 4 approaches, the Philadelphia Eagles’ secondary remains a glaring weakness, and rumors of a blockbuster swap involving cornerback (CB) Kelee Ringo and New York Jets’ Michael Carter II are heating up. With Quinyon Mitchell sidelined by a hamstring injury from last week’s loss to the Giants, pressure is mounting on Ringo’s struggles. Could a trade with a divisional rival provide the boost Philly needs? Let’s dive in.
The Trade Proposal: Eagles Target Jets’ Slot Specialist
The idea surfaced last week from analysts at Section 215 and Heavy Sports, who proposed a hypothetical deal: the Eagles would send Ringo – their 2023 fourth-round pick out of Georgia – to the Jets in exchange for Carter II, a versatile nickel corner. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that Carter II, fresh off a 3-year, $30.75 million extension in September 2024, is drawing league-wide interest for his reliability in the slot. However, with the Jets bolstering their secondary under new head coach Aaron Glenn, Carter II could become expendable if New York prioritizes boundary corners.
For the Eagles, this move would address the CB2 carousel. Ringo and veteran Adoree’ Jackson have been exploited in recent games, allowing big plays with Mitchell out. Carter II, primarily a slot defender, could rotate with Cooper DeJean, keeping the duo fresh in Vic Fangio’s zone-heavy scheme. In return, the Jets would gain Ringo, a 22-year-old with elite athleticism (4.36-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 Combine) and untapped potential on the boundary – a perfect fit for Robert Saleh’s aggressive press coverage if he resumes a coordinator role.
No official talks have been confirmed, but with GM Howie Roseman’s history of bold deadline moves, an intra-division swap isn’t out of the question. The cost? Likely a mid-round pick sweetener from Philly to offset Carter II’s $10.25 million average annual value (AAV).
Head-to-Head Stats: Ringo’s Youth vs. Carter II’s Polish
Both players are young and talented, but their 2025 season stats (through Week 6) highlight distinct differences in style and performance. Ringo, primarily an outside corner, shows flashes of shutdown potential but lacks consistency against top wideouts. Carter II, a slot maestro since his 2021 draft from Duke, excels in run support and ball skills, though he’s had his own struggles this year.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of their 2025 regular-season stats (via NFL.com and PFF):
Ringo edges out in volume stats due to more snaps on the boundary, but his coverage has allowed big plays, with opponents posting a 98.2 passer rating when targeting him. Carter II, despite fewer snaps (due to a minor back injury early in the season), shines in run support and instincts, with his lone interception showcasing his playmaking ability. However, his 109.7 passer rating allowed raises concerns, often tied to aggressive slot blitzes gone wrong. Overall, Carter II’s experience (45 career starts vs. Ringo’s 12) offers reliability, though Ringo’s raw speed could thrive in the Jets’ defense.
Eagles’ Financial Outlook: Flexible Cap Space with Dead Money Pressure
The Philadelphia Eagles are in a relatively comfortable financial position for 2025, with approximately $27 million in available cap space as of June 2025, per Over The Cap, ranking 16th in the NFL. This figure could grow with moves like trading Bryce Huff (saving over $15 million in cap) or Brandon Graham’s retirement (adding $3.6 million). However, the team faces a hefty $55 million in dead money – among the NFL’s top seven – largely from past contracts like Jason Kelce ($16.4 million), Josh Sweat ($16.4 million), Fletcher Cox ($10.1 million), and post-June 1 releases such as Darius Slay ($22.75 million dead) and James Bradberry ($10.81 million dead).
GM Howie Roseman’s cap management strategy, known for leveraging signing bonuses, option bonuses, and void years, pushes costs into the future, optimizing the current roster but creating long-term risks (akin to the Saints’ approach). With the 2025 league cap projected at $277–281 million, the Eagles can comfortably absorb Carter II’s $10.25 million AAV without major cuts, especially if a draft pick balances the deal. This flexibility also supports potential extensions for Jalen Carter or Nolan Smith, but Roseman must weigh short-term “all-in” moves against long-term sustainability.
What’s Next for Philly’s Secondary?
As the Eagles (4-2) gear up for a critical stretch, the Jets rumor underscores a key dilemma: patch the defense now or stick with the young core? Roseman’s history favors bold moves – think of the A.J. Brown trade – but trading a divisional talent like Ringo carries risks if it backfires. With ample cap space, the Eagles are well-positioned to act. Stay tuned; with the deadline a month away, expect more sparks before the flame.
