NFL trade rumors: Chase Daniel could be available from Eagles

A familiar face might get his chance to start at quarterback after all if the rumors are true that the Eagles are open to trading Chase Daniel.

Chase Daniel wanted a chance to start. When he left the Kansas City Chiefs one year ago for the Philadelphia Eagles, no one knew then that only several weeks later, the same team would trade significant draft assets for the chance to move up and select quarterback Carson Wentz. In just two months, without playing a single down, Daniel’s real chance was already over.

It’s not surprising, then, to hear Daniel’s name being tossed around again one year later with Ian Rapoport saying the Eagles are open to trading the veteran quarterback.

Daniel sat behind Alex Smith in Kansas City for three seasons, waiting for his chance without ever receiving one. Hitting free agency last year could have brought about an opportunity, but Philly decided a franchise quarterback was a risk worth taking, leaving the veteran in the cold. For a team like the Cleveland Browns, it could be worth taking a flier on Daniel to have him in house as a starting option from day one no matter what else happens.

What makes this interesting is Daniel’s contract. If he proves to be a legitimate starter in the NFL, then his $8 million cap hit for the next two years will be a great asset on a team who could apply money elsewhere to round out the roster. He is, however, also too well-paid for any team to keep him as a back-up, unless that team is one like the Eagles who are rolling with a rookie under center. Yet that only puts Daniel right back where he started, with a rookie looming over his shoulder likely with a short leash on any real starting opportunity.