3 Eagles Who Should Be Untouchable — And Why Jalen Hurts Isn't One

The Philadelphia Eagles have a roster loaded with talent, but in a league defined by its salary cap and trade market, nobody should truly be "untouchable." That said, there are three players on this roster who should require an absurd, franchise-altering offer before Howie Roseman even picks up the phone. And then there is Jalen Hurts — a quarterback the Eagles have invested heavily in, but one who, for the right price, should absolutely be on the table.

Let us start with the three untouchables.

Quinyon Mitchell is the cornerstone of this defense going forward. The rookie cornerback out of Toledo did not just play well in 2024 — he played like a legitimate CB1 from Day 1. In a league where elite corner play is nearly impossible to find and even harder to develop, Mitchell is the kind of player you build around for the next decade. He is 23 years old, on a rookie deal, and already shutting down top receivers. You do not trade that. Ever. The cost to replace Quinyon Mitchell — both in draft capital and in the years it takes to develop someone — makes him genuinely untouchable.

DeVonta Smith is the next name on the list. Smitty is the most reliable wide receiver on this roster and arguably the most consistent offensive weapon the Eagles have. While the conversation around AJ Brown generates all the headlines, Smith quietly put together another elite season. He runs every route, catches everything thrown his way, and never — not once — has been a distraction. In a locker room that has dealt with its share of drama, DeVonta Smith is the steadying force. His contract is reasonable, his production is elite, and his character is exactly what you want representing your franchise. Untouchable.

The third name might surprise some people, but it should not: Jordan Mailata. The left tackle position is one of the hardest to fill in football, and Mailata is one of the best in the game. At 6-foot-8, 365 pounds, with legitimate athleticism, he is a freak of nature who has developed into a Pro Bowl-caliber tackle. With Lane Johnson aging on the right side and the Eagles potentially needing to address that position in the draft, losing Mailata would create a catastrophic hole on the offensive line. You cannot lose both bookend tackles in the same window. Mailata stays.

Now, let us talk about Jalen Hurts.

This is not a "Hurts is bad" argument. This is a "Hurts has a price" argument. The Eagles gave Hurts a massive contract extension, and his cap hit is significant. He led the team to a Super Bowl appearance and has been a solid quarterback. But the 2024 season exposed real limitations — particularly in the passing game. The offense became predictable, overly reliant on the run, and when defenses loaded the box and dared Hurts to beat them through the air, he could not do it consistently enough.

Here is the reality: if a team called offering multiple first-round picks and a young quarterback with upside, the Eagles would be foolish not to listen. The NFL has shown us repeatedly that you can win with a good-not-great quarterback if the roster around him is elite. The Eagles have that elite roster. What they do not have is a quarterback playing at the level of Mahomes, Allen, or Lamar Jackson.

The Hurts trade conversation is not about disrespect — it is about maximizing value. If you can get a haul that includes a top-10 pick and a promising young signal-caller, you reinvest that capital into the roster and potentially come out ahead. The Eagles window is NOW. Saquon Barkley is not getting younger. The defense is peaking. If Hurts is the ceiling, you have to at least explore whether the ceiling can be raised.

Watch the full breakdown of which Eagles are truly untouchable: https://youtu.be/cY6HM0xXFGE

And for the deeper dive on the Hurts trade question: https://youtu.be/zmTweGu6bTk

The bottom line is simple: Quinyon Mitchell, DeVonta Smith, and Jordan Mailata should require a king ransom to move. Jalen Hurts should require a very good offer. There is a difference, and the Eagles front office knows it.