In a shocking turn of events during the NFL draft, the Philadelphia Eagles were on the brink of making a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Chargers to acquire the coveted No. 22 pick. Their target? Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.

The Eagles initially aimed to move up much earlier than expected, plotting their strategy at least nine picks ahead of their ultimate selection at No. 31. According to inside sources, the Eagles were intensely negotiating with the Chargers, but the deal fell apart at the last minute.

The Chargers were in talks with multiple teams while the clock was ticking down, including the Eagles. When an agreement couldn't be reached quickly enough, they opted to select North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton instead.

Insiders believe the trade may have been closer to completion than reported, claiming a miscommunication hindered the finalization of the deal. Both teams needed to independently notify the NFL of the trade terms before it could officially go through. With the deadline looming and terms not aligned, the Chargers were forced to make their choice.

Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman later revealed their intentions, admitting they attempted to snag Campbell much earlier in the draft. "This was a top-10 player on our board," he stated, expressing confidence in Campbell's potential impact. "We see the draft as a long-term investment for our team, and we believe he's going to perform at an elite level for a long time. Getting a player who can dominate the quarterback and change the game is invaluable, especially at the end of the first round."

Ultimately, the Eagles secured Campbell at No. 31, but they were undoubtedly left contemplating what could have been nine picks earlier, feeling a mix of excitement and what-ifs about the high-caliber player they nearly added.