Philadelphia Eagles Defenders React to Jordan Davis' Departure

The reactions from Jordan Davis’ now former teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles are trickling in following the team’s decision to trade the former first-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars prior to the NFL trade deadline.

The Eagles received a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick in exchange for Davis, which is great value. But while other Eagles players understand the business behind the decision, that doesn’t mean they won’t miss having the big fella around.

Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt said the departure of Davis hit him “hard” even though he has full faith in general manager Howie Roseman when it comes to building the team.

“It hit me hard. I got like eight messages on my phone seeing if I’m OK. I’m not on social media, so I didn’t see anything. And then I saw the messages and found out. I texted him pretty much instantly,” Hunt said, via NBC Sports Philadelphia.

“But it sucks. Because it’s a part of the business and it’s part of what just has to happen sometimes. I hate the move but I trust whatever Howie got going.”

Meanwhile, linebacker Jonathan Greenard was just getting to know Davis, so he was surprised and disappointed by his abrupt departure.

“I’m not going to say I’m like not surprised because it’s the league, anything can happen,” Greenard. “But we were definitely surprised. I know I’m shocked to see a guy like him leave the locker room. He’s a great dude, big leader in our room, funny guy. I was just started to get to know him really good. But it’s the nature of the business. 

“I know there’s going to be a next-man-up mentality. It just gives opportunities for other people. He’s going to do great things. He’s going to a great organization, obviously, in Jacksonville. So I know he’s going to be on the good side of winning so hopefully he can go get him one. Get him another one, actually.”

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed a similar sentiment to Hunt and Greenard regarding Davis’ departure.

“I will miss greatly and dearly Jordan Davis. That’s a bond that we’ll have for our entire lives. I love him. I’ll miss him,” Sirianni said of Davis. “He gave so much to this place. And what an example of a guy that maybe wasn’t exactly a finished product, which none of us are, right at the beginning but kept fighting and kept going and became the player and the person and everything that he is.”

The Eagles got a haul for Davis, so it’s tough to argue against the trade from Philadelphia’s perspective, but it’s clear that Davis will be a missed man in the locker room, and on the field for Philly.