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Eagles Elevate WR Hidden Gem to Active Roster After Giants Offer to Steal Him



Philadelphia, PA – 2025

The New York Giants’ desperate search for a Malik Nabers replacement nearly landed them a young wide receiver from across the division. But the Philadelphia Eagles weren’t about to let him slip away.

 

According to multiple reports, the Giants expressed interest in signing Javon Baker off Philadelphia’s practice squad after Nabers’ season-ending ACL tear. By league rules, Baker could have been added directly to New York’s 53-man roster if he accepted the offer.

 

Instead, the Eagles responded decisively — elevating Baker to their own active roster on Tuesday. The move protects the 23-year-old and ensures he’ll remain in Philadelphia for at least three weeks as he now secures a full roster spot.

Baker’s path has been anything but ordinary. A fourth-round pick (No. 110 overall) by the New England Patriots in 2024 after a trade with the Chargers, he signed a four-year, $4.5 million rookie deal that included a $785,000 signing bonus. He saw the field in 11 games as a rookie, logging just one reception for 12 yards, while also drawing attention for off-field issues including a social media rant about a traffic ticket and a missed curfew in London before a game against Jacksonville.

 

In the 2025 preseason, Baker earned praise from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel for his work on special teams as a gunner, but he was ultimately cut from the 53-man roster on August 27. Two days later, he cleared waivers and chose to sign with the Eagles’ practice squad rather than return to New England — citing a bigger opportunity with the reigning Super Bowl champions. He has since trained with Philly’s WR depth chart behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson, wearing jersey No. 86 after briefly holding No. 6.

Now, with the Giants circling, the Eagles made the call to keep him in-house. For Baker, it’s a chance to prove himself on the active roster; for the Eagles, it’s about protecting a hidden gem and preventing a hated NFC East rival from poaching him at a moment of weakness.

Eagles host Shilo Sanders for a visit one month after he nearly walked away from football 
Philadelphia, PA — October 7, 2025. With a need to bolster depth in the secondary and on special teams, the Philadelphia Eagles are staging a visit/workout with Shilo Sanders — the 24-year-old defensive back known for his versatility and gritty playing style. The meeting takes place one month after Shilo publicly acknowledged he had considered stepping away from football. Shilo’s day at the facility includes a quick medical/conditioning check, interviews with the defensive staff, a session with the special teams coordinator about potential roles (gunner/jammer, personal protector), and several classroom tests covering technique and assignment detail. During a brief media availability, Shilo expressed both emotion and professional resolve: “I once missed the chance to come to the Eagles — and it stayed with me. Coming back here today, I want to show I’ve grown and I’m ready. The Eagles are a first-class organization; they’ve approached me with respect and a clearly defined role. If I get the opportunity, I’ll repay it with discipline, a team-first mindset, and everything I’ve got.” From a football standpoint, the Eagles view Shilo as a fit for nickel/dime packages that emphasize speed and safety-to-slot flexibility, with immediate value on special teams. Boxes to check include stamina after prior injuries and processing against complex route concepts (banjo/switch, stack-bunch) when facing high-tempo offenses. If he clears internal benchmarks, contract pathways could include a practice-squad deal (with a promotion plan) or a short-term contract through season’s end with snap-based incentives on special teams/defense. A decision window of 48–72 hours after the workout would align with weekly roster deadlines. Team sources say the staff wants to see two things from Shilo: 1) consistent open-field tackling with minimized missed tackles in true 1-on-1 space; and 2) loud, efficient pre- and post-snap communication, especially versus heavy motion and frequent shifts. “If he hits those marks, he can help right away on ST and gradually earn dime snaps,” one staffer noted. Inside the locker room, the Eagles also value the psychological growth Shilo has shown after a wobbly stretch: instead of walking away, he returned with elevated training intensity and day-to-day discipline. For Shilo, this “return visit” to Philadelphia would mean more than another tryout. It reads as a self-affirmation after injuries and doubts. Even if it doesn’t end in a long-term deal, proving his value in front of an organization with the Eagles’ standards could open other NFL doors. And for the Eagles, a low-cost, low-risk move with potentially high special-teams impact is worth exploring as the season’s grind tightens.