Nearly 70,000 fans in South Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday bore witness at halftime of one of the finest cornerbacks in the 90+ years of the Eagles history who had attended the game as an honorary captain become inducted into the Eagles Ring of Excellence. That cornerback was none other than Eric Allen.
This past summer, one of the greatest defensive backs ever to don the Kelly Green in Philadelphia was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Allen had a (thirteen-year) career, including nine seasons with the Eagles. He and Waters were part of Buddy Ryan’s Eagles’ secondary that didn’t protect against hard hits — it promoted them. On the podium , Eric Allen spoke extremely fondly of his days wearing green in Philadelphia.
Nearly thirty-five years ago in December of 1992 — the Eagles had a week sixteen matchup across the South Philadelphia Sports’ Complex with Washington. The winner would get a berth in the NFC Wildcard Playoffs — the loser would be home for them. As Washington quarterback Mark Rypien sprinted out, avoided contact, and threw the ball toward a diving Gary Clark. Eric Allen knocked the ball away and galloped down the Veteran’s Stadium sideline in celebration.
Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.
On the field — Eric Allen got a front row seat to the Eagles in their iconic Kelly Green and Philadelphia’s current number one cornerback. Last season — Mitchell and fellow rookie Cooper DeJean were the perfect compliment to Darius Slay and CJ Gardner-Johnson. So much so that Slay and Gardner-Johnson are now gone — and Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio trusts Mitchell as isolation on the opponent’s best receiver.
Last season was the first time in modern NFL playoff history — that a team with two rookie starting defensive backs has reached the playoffs and, perhaps — a Super Bowl appearance. This year is also the first time in the thirty-two years of the Eagles franchise’s existence that two rookie defensive backs have been nominated for the AP Rookie of the Year in the same season.
Last February — in the midst of a cold Super Bowl Championship Parade when Darius Slay stepped to the podium outside of the Art Museum — he didn’t talk about his decade plus NFL career. He didn’t talk about the culmination of his NFL accolades in the nearly complete defensive shutdown that was Super Bowl LIX.
Nope. He let Philly know that they now have two young lockdown NFL cornerbacks in Mitchell and DeJean for years to come.
There’s a concern that the 2025 Eagles might be approaching the same territory as the 2023 Eagles.
Uncertainty of CB2 play. Overcoming a lengthy list of departing free agents. And questionable offensive gameplans through three weeks do give some cause for concern.
The Eagles have managed to start the year off 3-0 against a division opponent, a Super Bowl rematch and a most likely division winner and future playoff rematch. With a dip in their quality of opponent in the coming weeks. The Eagles will be primed to start the first half of their season with a strong lead on the NFC East before their week 9 Bye.
Defensive Difference
In 2023, the Eagles defense ranked 26th with an average of 356.1 yards against per game. Ranking 31st against the pass with 252.7 passing yards against, but finished 10th against the run with only 103.4 yards against per game. Demoting Sean Desai mid season, promoting Matt Patricia (of all people), losing Slay for the end of the year and a spiralling streak they couldn’t get out of completed the recipe for disaster.
So far through 3 weeks. The Eagles defense ranks 11th against the pass (185.7 yards/game) and 24th against the run (133.3 yards/game). Ranked as the 18th best overall defense. There’s work to be done but the Eagles aren’t in the worst position, yet.
Offensive Woes
The Eagles will need to figure out how to get the run game more involved to keep opponents defenses on the field, and theirs off it.
Averaging 179.3 rushing yards in 2024, the Eagles offense was able to kill the clock and chunk yardage as Saquon averaged 5.48 yards/carry. Through 3 weeks they average 122 rushing yards per game, while Saquon starts off with only 3.34 yards/carry.
Will the Eagles be able to find their groove Sunday against the Buccaneers? Or will we have to wait till the following weekend to see the team firing on all cylinders?
Last week I discussed 3 new Eagles who could make an impact in 2024. From new faces on the defense, and changes to the offense. There isn’t many reasons to doubt what the 2024 Eagles should bring.
With Training Camp and Preseason starting in the coming weeks. We’ll get a closer look at some of those players still vying to make a final roster spot before the 53 mans are due August 27th. While we might not see much of some of the Eagles veterans during those preseason games. There’s still a bottom line to expect from some players that have been around the organization for most of their careers.
Josh Sweat
Entering the offseason, it wasn’t clear if the Eagles were going to keep Josh Sweat or Haason Reddick in the future, as both would have been on expiring deals after this season had they not made a move for Bryce Huff.
Now, there’s more expectation from Sweat with a contract season looming. The Eagles drafted Sweat with the 130th pick in the 2018 Draft. Did they expect him to put up an 11 Sack season in 2022? Or 11th in Pressures last season?
The Eagles made a statement keeping Josh Sweat for the final year of his deal. With the additions of Bryce Huff and Jalyx Hunt, some pressure might be off of Sweat, but the Eagles should expect to see something similar to his 2022 season if they’re going to continue with Sweat in the picture.
Jake Elliott
We need to make one thing abundantly clear. The Eagles probably weren’t even close to being 10-1 if not for Jake Elliott’s performances last season.
Throughout the year, Elliott made 30/32FG’s, and 45/46XP’s.
Some impactful kicks that saved games include:
The Eagles only points in the 2nd half against the Patriots Week 1. With kicks made from 56, 51 and 48 yards.
The Commanders Week 4 Overtime game, that frankly didn’t need Overtime. From 54 yards.
To give the Eagles a chance in OT to beat the Bills, was this 59 yard FG.
Elliott scored 15 of the Eagles 33 points in the Week 16 win against the Giants. Going 4/4 FG including 3XP.
Makes sense why the Eagles locked up Elliott to a 4-Year extension worth $24M this offseason. Now under contract until 2028.
Darius Slay
Coming into his 5th season on the Eagles. Slay has seen it all. From the Nate Gerry seasons, to the start and end of the Gannon Era, and then most of whatever Sean Desai and Matt Patricia brought to the table.
Slay missed 4 games near the end of the Eagles season, including the games against the Seahawks, Cardinals and Giants. Perhaps if the Eagles had their true CB1 to end the year some of the defensive lapses that cost them games could have been prevented.
However with a new year brings new opportunity. And if Slay ends up as a Captain again, there’s going to be higher standards for a presences many doubted during the turmoil of the Eagles collapse. And with all the new Cornerbacks looking to make their own roster spot.
If the 6x Pro-Bowler is able to return to form, the Eagles secondary could become one of the best in the league after this years draft class.
The Eagles report to Training Camp in 11 days. Where we’ll get another weeks look at the team before their open practice on August 1st.
With 14 Corners under contract and over 2 months before any final roster decisions, the Eagles will have a deep secondary. But who will make the cut?
Similar to the last few seasons at defensive tackle, the Eagles have made acquisition after acquisition in the secondary to revamp a defense that gave up 252.7 passing yards a game, ranking 31st in Passing Yards against.
Even with the draft picks, the Eagles will have most of the same secondary they did last season, with the following players returning.
Darius Slay
James Bradberry
Avonte Maddox
Kelee Ringo
Zech McPhearson
Eli Ricks
Josh Jobe
With the additions of Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Isaiah Rodgers, there will be a few odd men out unless something changes with those already under contract.
During the last training camp, the Eagles had 5 options at running back before only using 3 throughout the entire season. (We’ll still never know why Swift didn’t play week 1)
But for the Eagles’ corners, things changed throughout the last 3 days, as we’ve seen Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers at CB2 already. With Mitchell, DeJean, and Rodgers sharing 2nd team throughout the week, the Eagles might finally have the depth if multiple injuries occur once the season picks up.
So, Who’s Out?
During the Eagles minicamp, multiple things came up.
Wow — Nick Sirianni says James Bradberry is taking reps at safety
Says lots of great corners have gone on to be great safeties
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) June 4, 2024
The Eagles seemed to already have assessed the Safety position this offseason, bringing back C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a three-year deal. And if Maddox is ‘learning the safety position,’ that will end up being another depth piece behind those penciled-in starters.
If Bradberry is also getting a change of scenery on the field, perhaps this is the end of the road before getting traded or cut. We’ll have to wait and see, as Bradberry went to the medical tent at the start of the minicamp and wasn’t a participant for the rest of the week.
While I’m sure, there are plenty who may want Bradberry off the team as soon as possible. The Eagles have the cap space committed to the player, and he was a ‘part of the plans‘ (12:04) during the Combine. If there’s a team in desperate need of a corner, Bradberry might be on the block to make room for the new additions to the Eagles.
With another month plus break before more Eagles football. Who do you have making the roster in the secondary?
With three weeks until the NFL draft. Rosters are beginning to take shape and some clear picks are beginning to show.
With the Bears, Patriots and Commanders expected to take their QBs of the future. There will be a long way to go to see who might fall to the Eagles with the 22nd overall pick.
While the Eagles have recently ended the conversation whether they would trade Reddick or Sweat. Another hole has opened in the depth of the roster.
Sure the Eagles have already signed Bryce Huff to a $51M deal and have Nolan Smith waiting in the wings after only playing 188 defensive snaps in his rookie season. Barely seeing an increase in playtime after the Eagles had waived Derek Barnett prior to their Week 11 game against Buffalo.
Laiatu Latu – Edge, UCLA
Re-filling the edge-rusher position after trading away Reddick, with Brandon Graham on his final season all while not knowing what you have in Smith and Huff is probably one of the best options for the Eagles at #22. Similar to drafting Davis and Carter in lieu of Hargrave and Cox departures in the last two seasons.
The biggest area of concern regarding Latu is from a neck injury he suffered during a preseason workout in 2020. An injury that had the University of Washington medical staff refusing to medically clear him to continue playing.
The Eagles have had multiple instances of drafting players with this warning, including Josh Sweat and Nakobe Dean.
If the Eagles don’t believe that Huff and Smith are able to take over enough of the defensive snaps. Bringing in Latu could be the final piece to a new defensive line.
NFL.com has multiple mock drafts with Latu going to the Rams at 19 and 24, as well as the Buccaneers at 26. He might fall perfectly within the Eagles range.
Kool-Aid McKinstry – CB, Alabama
After the disastrous end to the Eagles season. It’s clear a new CB might be needed on the roster. They’ve already gone and re-signed C.J. Gardner Johnson and now brought back Avonte Maddox as well.
James Bradberry was “part of the plan” when Howie Roseman spoke at the combine, but things can always change by September.
There’s plenty of available Cornerbacks in this draft. From Quinyon Mitchell, Nate Wiggins, Cooper DeJean and McKinstry are all projected to go in the late 1st round per NFL.com’s mock drafts.
Much like Latu. The Eagles may have to look at trading up if they wanted to go after Mitchell in the draft. However, if they wanted to move back in the 1st, McKinstry could be available past 22nd. Allowing the Eagles to regain assets later in the draft.
With Bradberry and Slay still under contract for multiple seasons. The Eagles should be looking to drafting their predecessors like they have on the defensive line. Unless Eli Ricks or Kelee Ringo have breakout sophomore seasons, a long-term solution needs to be put in place alongside Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown in the secondary. McKinstry could be that answer, and could even allow them to trade Bradberry before the start of the season. Rumors have swirled about the Eagles landing Surtain from the Broncos, but I’d prefer to draft and acquire a starting caliber player still on a rookie deal.
No Offensive Picks?
The offence may not have been able to score at will last season. But the Eagles defense hemorrhaged yards and points beyond belief last year. Was it all on coaching?
The Eagles have already gone and signed Saquon Barkley, DeVante Parker, Matt Hennessy and Parris Campbell plus more additions for the offense. Taking another day one defensive pick won’t hurt an offense that recently extended two players on the offensive line. With Mailata, Dickerson and Jurgens all under contract for multiple years. There’s multiple options for the Eagles to find a Right Guard late in the draft if Steen hasn’t won the starters spot.
The Eagles will still have 7 draft picks following the 22nd pick. Where they’ve been able to make successful picks in the later rounds, including 2 more picks in the the top 60.
Who do you have the Eagles drafting in the 1st round?
The 2024 offseason is now underway for the Philadelphia Eagles, with the bulk of free agents already gone. With the upcoming draft, they have some choices to make on how to fix their roster.
What are the Eagles’ current strengths? What are their weaknesses?
Strength: Offensive Line
Yes, even with Jason Kelce’s expected yet still gut-wrenching retirement, the Eagles are still strong at their offensive line. It shows how spoiled they’ve been for a long, long time.
Photo: Eagles Nation on X.
Sure, the Eagles’ interior offensive line took a big hit with the loss of Kelce, but it will serve as a chance for someone like former 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen to emerge. He only played 71 snaps last season, so he’s due for an increase in that department. The Eagles have done a fantastic job acquiring and developing offensive linemen over the past couple of decades — the hope is that he can be the next.
The Eagles know what they have in Landon Dickerson, as he is a two-time Pro Bowler with just three seasons under his belt in the NFL. Getting him was a fantastic snag for the Eagles back in the 2021 NFL draft early in the second round. At 25 years of age, he should be the anchor of the interior offensive line for years to come — especially with his new four-year deal.
As for Cam Jurgens, he is the likely Kelce replacement at center after playing a lot of guard for the Birds last season (89%, to be exact). He’s still just 24 and played decent last season, so his progression will be something to monitor.
As for the rest of the offensive line, the Eagles know what they’re getting in tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson at this point. Arguably the best tackle duo in football, the offensive line will still be a strong point for Philadelphia, if not their strongest. If they can stay healthy, there shouldn’t be much to worry about with this unit.
Weakness: Defensive Backs
Looking at the Eagles’ first major weakness, the defensive backs took a significant step back from 2022 to 2023. They lost Avonte Maddox this offseason, who didn’t have the best 2023 campaign, but it’s still a loss nonetheless. James Bradberry’s regression has been apparent, and he still has two seasons left on his $38 million contract that he signed last offseason.
Before free agency, the only positives in the secondary were arguably only Darius Slay and Reed Blankenship. Even Slay took a small step back in 2023, so it was (and still is) a worrying aspect of the team.
But the Eagles went out and signed safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to a three-year deal, giving the Eagles their 2022 swagger back and some good coverage at that. The secondary still needs major work, but the importance of that addition cannot be understated.
Strength: Offensive Skill Positions
One thing that hasn’t always been great for the Eagles has been their skill positions. Now, however, it is one of the best features of their roster. The duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at wide receiver is can’t-miss good. Both of them will be eyeing Mike Quick’s record from 1983 to 1985 where he notched three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons — they each have two in a row.
More recently, star running back Saquon Barkley agreed to terms with the Eagles. He is the only back in the NFL who recorded top-10 rushing yards over expected (RYOE) campaigns in both 2022 and 2023. He had dozens of big rushing plays (10 or more yards) for the New York Giants on a brutal offensive line, so he’ll help bring some explosiveness to Philadelphia. Even if he’s 27, he’s still one of the best at his position.
At this point, Jalen Hurts doesn’t need to be discussed. Even at his worst, which was arguably last season, he was still a phenomenal quarterback. He will only continue to get better.
Whether or not a tight end is considered to be a skill position or not, Dallas Goedert makes a good case for it. He’s not just a standard tight end — he can block, catch, and make plays. He is a vital player in the Eagles’ offense.
Weakness: Linebackers
It’s been the case for a while now, but the Eagles’ linebackers are not up to par. It’s been a while since that has been a strength, really. It’s both good and bad news that Nicholas Morrow, Zach Cunningham, and Shaquille Leonard are all likely on the way out. They had some good performances in there, but it was overall pretty disappointing.
The Eagles’ defense needs to improve next season, obviously. Things went smoothly early on, but some bad games against the Washington Commanders of all teams suggest they need more. By the end of the season, surrendering 30 or more points came with regularity. The linebackers definitely played into that, and there will be some big changes. If there was a position that the Eagles go heavy on in the draft and what’s left of free agency, that’ll be it.
In free agency, the Eagles added linebackers Oren Burks and Zack Baun to the room, but those are more or less depth adds. The addition of Devin White was a high-reward move, but it doesn’t take away from the Eagles’ issues. With the addition of Johnson to the secondary, the linebacker core is probably the Eagles’ biggest weakness as of now, even with White, especially now there.
Strength: Pass Rush
Much like the offensive line, the Eagles have had a fantastic defensive line for a while. They have great youth in Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, while Josh Sweat and Milton Williams are both relatively young, too.
Photo: —
Carter, specifically, could take a massive jump for the Eagles. He was an elite player last season, so the hope is that his sophomore season can bring even more. With a duo of him and Davis out there, the Eagles should be dangerous for years to come. But 2024 could be a massive one for both of them.
Veterans like Brandon Graham and Reddick are still important to the Eagles. Reddick was the Eagles’ sack leader, while Graham has had his game age like a fine wine. He is still a great player at age 35. He is reportedly in the works for an extension to give it one more year. At this point, he’s one of the greatest Eagles of all time — the good news is that keeping him around will actually help the team rather than serve as a sentimental move.
However, considering the fact that the Eagles signed 25-year-old defensive end Bryce Huff to a contract worth $51.1 million, among their other huge splashes, chances are that someone like Reddick could go. There’s not enough money to keep everyone, and it would be a bit irresponsible for a young team to do that. With that out of the way, the Eagles pass rush should still be an area of strength without either of them. It might take a hit, but it is a young unit with a lot of talent.
In the draft, the Eagles will have three picks in the first two rounds. That’s plenty of ammo to make some big changes.
If the Eagles want to go back to the Super Bowl, addressing their needs will be a must. They have the assets to do so adequately.
While the Super Bowl was the perfect way to kick off the week, Eagles fans received some frightening news on Sunday.
Sources: #Eagles All-Pro edge rusher Haason Reddick has received permission to seek a trade following another disruptive season featuring double digit sacks. The 29-year old with 27 sacks over two seasons in Philly could land elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/WxIGTac24M
A panic was set in before the big game had even started. Would the Eagles really end up trading their star Defensive End?
Thankfully on Wednesday, some more information came out on this catastrophic situation.
Just spoke to #Eagles All-Pro pass-rusher Haason Reddick, who tells me he never requested a trade and he wants to stay in Philadelphia. “I would like to get an extension done here at home. At no point did I ever tell the organization I want to be traded.”
Reddick himself confirmed that HE was not the one to ask for the trade request. Which asks the question, where did the trade request come from?
Nothing New From Howie Roseman
There was more than enough reason to panic. Nothing like hearing your Defensive Player of the Year Finalist could be on a new team soon. But after the news was confirmed that Reddick wasn’t seeking the trade himself. Things began to make more sense, as this isn’t the first time the Eagles have gone about contract negotiations with a potential trade.
Just days before free agency of the 2023 season started. The Eagles and Darius Slay were in a similar situation. While the Eagles eventually cut Slay at the start of free agency. Only 1 day later, and Slay was back with Philly on a brand new 3 Year, $42 million deal.
Hopefully if this situation unfolds the same way. Reddick will find himself with a new contract, and a lengthy stay in Philadelphia.
On The Other Side Of The Coin
But what if the Eagles DID trade Haason Reddick? Currently, Reddick is the 21st highest paid edge rusher(per spotrac). Since joining the Eagles in 2022, let’s see how Reddick compares to some of the highest paid edge rushers.
($34M) Nick Bosa, 33 Games Played, 30 Sacks
($28M) T.J. Watt, 27 Games Played, 24.5 Sacks
($27M) Joey Bosa, 14 Games Played, 9 Sacks
($25M) Myles Garrett, 32 Games Played, 33 Sacks
($24.5M) Montez Sweat, 34 Games Played, 20.5 Sacks
($24M) Rashan Gary, 26 Games Played, 15 Sacks
($23.5M) Maxx Crosby, 34 Games Played, 27 Sacks
($23.5M) Khalil Mack, 34 Games Played, 25 Sacks
With 27.5 Sacks of his own, it’s clear enough that the contract Howie Roseman was able to get Reddick on was a highlight of the 2022 Off-season. Expecting to see an extension somewhere above the $25 Million average, the Eagles could be in an even longer off-season next year with Reddick, Sweat, Smith and Dickerson all due for large contracts.
The Last Huge Edge To Get Traded
It’s been almost 6 years since the Raiders traded Khalil Mack to the Bears. In his debut season with Chicago he put up 12.5 Sacks in only 14 games! The price to pay for a 27-year old Khalil Mack? Not only was it a 6-year, $141M contract. The Bears also received a 2020 2nd round pick (TE Cole Kmet) and a 2020 7th (OL Arlington Hambright) in the trade. However, Chicago sent 4 draft picks to the then Oakland Raiders which ended up becoming:
2019 1st (RB Josh Jacobs)
2019 6th (CB Blessuan Austin) – This pick was traded to the Jets, which resulted in a 2019 5th (WR Hunter Renfrow)
2020 1st (CB Damon Arnette)
2020 3rd (WR Bryan Edwards)
At the time of this trade, Mack was 27. However 4 years later, the Bears would get the following when they traded a 30-year old Mack to the Chargers:
2022 2nd (S Jaquan Brisker)
2023 6th (DL Scott Matlock) – This pick was traded back to the Chargers, which resulted in 2 2022 7th’s (S Elijah Hicks & P Trenton Gill)
With 1 season left on Reddick’s contract, the Eagles could end up with a 1st round pick and more. While losing the star edge rusher would leave 862 defensive snaps to fill, the Eagles could stock up on more draft picks and attempt to make a splash on upcoming free agents like Danielle Hunter, Chase Young or Marcus Davenport.
For the record, I’d love to keep Reddick as long as we can. However with him and Josh Sweat due in 2025, sometimes tough choices have to be made.
What would you do with this situation if you were in Howie Roseman’s shoes?
