Philadelphia, PA – April 17, 2025 – The Philadelphia Eagles, riding high after their Super Bowl LIX triumph, have cut four 2024 rookies—Jalyx Hunt, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ainias Smith, and Trevor Keegan—to free up roster spots for the upcoming NFL Draft, per ESPN’s Tim McManus. The move aims to bolster the roster with fresh talent.
Jalyx Hunt, a third-round edge rusher, struggled to crack the rotation. With only 1.5 sacks and 22.5% defensive snaps, he couldn’t compete with Haason Reddick and Nolan Smith, falling short of expectations for a high pick.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a fifth-round linebacker, was relegated to special teams. Lacking the coverage skills to challenge Zack Baun or Nakobe Dean, his minimal impact made him expendable despite his legacy name.
Ainias Smith, a fifth-round wide receiver, failed to secure the slot role. Sidelined by an ankle injury, he couldn’t surpass Jahan Dotson or Parris Campbell, rendering him irrelevant in a stacked receiver corps.
Trevor Keegan, a fifth-round guard, didn’t earn a starting spot. Outshined by Tyler Steen and Mekhi Becton, his special teams role wasn’t enough to justify a roster spot in a dominant offensive line.
“We’re focused on maximizing talent,” said GM Howie Roseman. “These cuts open doors for impact players in the draft.”
The cuts save approximately $3 million in cap space, with minimal dead money, aligning with Roseman’s aggressive draft strategy. With pick No. 32, the Eagles eye prospects like Abdul Carter (edge rusher) or Tetairoa McMillan (receiver) to boost Jalen Hurts’ arsenal.
This move signals Philly’s relentless pursuit of another title. By clearing underperforming rookies, the Eagles position themselves to reload with high-upside talent, ensuring their championship window stays wide open.
