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.