Philadelphia, PA
- At the end of 2020, the Philadelphia Eagles looked to be in disarray. Just three years after winning the Super Bowl, franchise quarterback Carson Wentz and Head Coach Doug Pederson found themselves out of a job. The relatively unknown Nick Sirianni stepped in and, while inheriting a lot of starters on the defensive side of the ball, had reservations about quarterback Jalen Hurts. In their second year together, Sirianni and Hurts led the Eagles to the Super Bowl, but it took less than a year for Sirianni to be on the hot seat. Let’s look at what happened and evaluate five players who could help right the ship.
How Did the Eagles Get Here?
Philadelphia entered the 2022 season with a loaded roster thanks partly to a blockbuster trade that landed them AJ Brown.
However, despite being a playoff team in 2021, nobody expected the Hurts-led Eagles to be the #1 seed in the conference and reach the Super Bowl. A lot went right for the Eagles in 2022, which made regression inevitable in 2023. Hurts had an unbelievable season that would be difficult to repeat. Philadelphia had an aging defense that forced many turnovers, but it could have been had in the secondary.
After the 10–1 start, Philadelphia was among the BetMGM sportsbook favorites to win the NFC again, despite sources claiming they were the "most miserable 10–1 team". After a thrilling overtime win against the Bills, they lost five of their final six games, including back-to-back blowouts against San Francisco and Dallas. They also lost to the Cardinals and Giants, two teams well below .500.
The offense struggled, scoring more than 20 points just two times in the season's final six weeks, while the defense continued to struggle, giving up 42, 33, 25, 35, and 27 points to the 49ers, Cowboys, Giants, Cardinals, and Giants, respectively.
The team still finished 11–6 and made the playoffs but got the doors blown off by the Buccaneers on Wild Card Weekend, with reports surfacing that Sirianni was struggling to rally his team.
How Can They Fix It?
The solution takes work. Future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce retired, alongside former six-time Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox. GM Howie Roseman has been active in free agency, giving former Giants running back Saquon Barkley a big contract and bringing back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Here are five players that could help.
Kendall Fuller | Cornerback, Washington
Former Chief and Commander cornerback Kendall Fuller would be a natural fit, with experience as an outside and slot corner. The 29-year-old has five interceptions across the last two seasons and had 79 tackles last year to go with his two interceptions. Pro Football Focus grades him as one of the best cover cornerbacks in the league.
L'Jarius Sneed | Cornerback, Kansas City
The Eagles could also trade for L'Jarius Sneed to make a splash. The former 4th-round pick became a starter this past season in Kansas City thanks to his physical play and tendency to shut down a team's top receiver. He had over 100 tackles in 2022 and logged 3.5 sacks before being asked to be more of a cover corner this season, a role he excelled in.
ESPN ranks Sneed as the 11th-best player on the market, but after the Chiefs slapped the franchise tag on him, Philadelphia would have to trade for him. Sneed was permitted to seek a trade and is looking for a long-term deal.
Connor Williams | Center, Dolphins
With Kelce retiring, the Eagles need to find his replacement. They could draft a center, but Connor Williams might be an excellent option. He is just 26 years old and, according to PFF, is the top-grade center on the market.
Kamren Curl | Safety, Washington
While the Eagles just signed Gardner-Johnson, they could still use all the help they can get in the secondary. Entering his age-25 season, Curl is the 36th-ranked free agent on ESPN's board, making him a player that Philadelphia could have at a reasonable price. He would be a great option to pair with Gardner-Johnson.
Kenny Moore II | Cornerback, Indianapolis
A former undrafted free agent and Hard Knocks star, Kenny Moore II became an NFL starter against all odds and even made the Pro Bowl in 2021. The Eagles need an overhaul in the secondary, which includes slot corner, a position Moore still thrives in. He can also help against the run.
Can the Eagles Get Back to Their 2022 Form?
It is possible, but a lot has to go right. The roster figures to only get thinner after this year, with guys like Brandon Graham and Lane Johnson getting close to the end of their careers. The window is now, and while the roster is still solid, the most significant factor still figures to be Hurts and Sirianni. Philadelphia needs Hurts to play like the MVP-caliber quarterback they see in him, and Sirianni should cut back on the theatrics to fix the issues that plagued their 2023 season.
