Let’s be honest, the Philadelphia Eagles had one of the biggest collapses in recent memory this past season. Questions were raised about the trustworthiness of head coach Nick Sirianni for many reasons; the lack of discipline, adjustments, and maybe even the will to win. It all left fans feeling flustered.
Since week one, fans have been keeping a close eye on Brian Johnson’s job security. The play-calling and scheme was an outright failure. Fans called for the firing of not only Johnson but also defensive coordinators Sean Desai and Matt Patricia.
After making the switch to Patricia mid-season, the defense actually seemed worse than when Desai was on the sideline. They couldn’t stop a nosebleed on a good day. The defense missed so many open-field tackles, that they probably wouldn’t be able to stop me, and I’ve never even played a snap of football.
Following a devastating loss to Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round, the coordinator positions were up in the air. Sean Desai getting let go by Sirianni himself was the first domino to fall, and Matt Patricia parting ways with the organization was the second. In comes Vic Fangio, a familiar face with the Eagles. Fans expect Fangio to come in with a more disciplined approach and style to the defense, something that was clearly missing this past season.
On the offensive side, Kellen Moore enters the scene as Brian Johnson’s replacement. Some fans are skeptical about the hiring of Moore. One thing most Philadelphia fans can agree on though is that you cannot get much worse than Johnson.
Moore will bring in a new scheme and flavor to the offense. He will absolutely help Jalen Hurts versus the blitz, something that frequently rattled the star quarterback last season. Hurts took a slight step back last season, mainly due to the lackluster playbook and the coaching staff’s refusal to adjust.
The offense has unlimited potential that Brian Johnson simply could not unlock in 2023. Moore also has a track record that benefits wide receivers, which favors the Eagles’ two studs at wide receiver A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith. Every Eagles fan saw the frustration that Brown projected throughout the season, and those fans felt the same annoyance.
We are all hoping for Jason Kelce, Philadelphia’s hero, to return for one more year. Having the greatest center of all time on your side is a blessing. D’Andre Swift is a pending free agent; hopefully, the Eagles can bring him back and use him in correct fashion. With a new offensive coordinator, we will be able to see how this new-look Eagles scheme operates.
Overall, bringing in two new coordinators gives Eagles fans some sense of hope after a bleak ending to last season. Some fans and media members even called for Nick Sirianni’s job, and he’s heard the noise. Every passing week provided more questions about where the team stood. This season will be the time to show what he is truly made of.
With a new staff, Sirianni has a fresh chance to get back to the Super Bowl. To get back there though, some roster changes have to occur as well. With free agency and the NFL draft looming, the Eagles have to make some major moves.
Linebacker is the most obvious position that needs help, as nobody in particular has stood out. Letting T.J. Edwards walk was not the greatest decision. Relying on Nakobe Dean, who barely played his rookie year, was also not the smartest idea. Playing Nicholas Morrow for the majority of snaps was not the best course of action. Signing an over-the-hill Shaq Leonard did not work in Philly’s favor either. The Eagles need to hunt in free agency and the draft for a linebacker.
Shopping for extra help in the secondary is a must as well, especially considering the lackadaisical play of both James Bradberry and Kevin Byard. Although there are a few rising pieces such as Kelee Ringo, Sydney Brown, Reed Blankenship & Eli Ricks, the linebacker, safety, and cornerback positions were the most detrimental to the Eagles’ defense this past season.
For the Philadelphia Eagles to reach another Super Bowl with this core, they have to play to their full potential. It sounds cliche, but with the amount of talent they have, there are no excuses. Last season had its ups and downs, mostly downs. A 10-1 start to the season that ultimately ended at 11-7 including the playoffs, is officially one of, if not the biggest collapses in Eagles’ history. It was a season that started with Super Bowl expectations and ended with dire consequences.
Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman have a chance to figure things out this offseason. A new scheme, new players, new coordinators, and just a new system all around. The Bird Gang will be back, it’s just a matter of time.
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