Each breakup feels like the first time. It’s a series of endings wrapped in uncertain new beginnings. No matter the nature of the decoupling, the complications can play your aorta like a baby grand. Whether that’s unrequited love from your high school crush, the end of your first long-term relationship, or…losing a record-breaking, perennial 1,000-yard receiver who helped lead you to two Super Bowls.

A.J. Brown is moving on. The inevitability of his departure from the City of Brotherly Love has been written in the stars (and Adam Schefter’s Twitter feed) all offseason. After June 1, when the dead cap hit accrued from moving him lowers, the Birds will trade Brown to his next team (most likely the New England Cheating Vrabels).

A tumultuous (and slightly hilarious) few years that included reading a self-help book on the sidelines of a playoff game, sending cryptic tweets, and sharing frustrations on Twitch streams will officially come to an end. A.J’s flair for the dramatic should be studied. But his dominance on the field should be celebrated.

Brown is simply one of the greatest receivers ever to wear midnight green. He’s a beloved teammate and a record-breaking world-destroyer who helped Eagles football soar to its highest heights. But unfortunately, some relationships come to an end. Some love doesn’t last. Some offensive coordinators are Kevin Patullo.

No one knows breakups better than Philadelphia fans. We’ve seen a soon-to-be-ex wide receiver do situps in his driveway. We’ve seen the team eat a Duck Tales-sized pool of money to move on from a certain North Dakota quarterback (rhymes with Warson Centz). We’ve seen an aging running back join and then quickly unjoin the team before ever playing a snap. We value loyalty over everything. And nothing cuts deeper than someone who doesn’t want to be here.

So to work through our feelings of losing A.J., I thought it would be appropriate to put together a playlist. A collection of songs for Birds fans to listen to while we work through our emotions. Like that “breakup mix” that’s still in your CD case from middle school that for some reason includes 3 songs from Ja Rule’s Pain Is Love album (hypothetically speaking ofcourse).

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To build the perfect playlist for the cause, I hit up my homie and Philadelphia legend Bruce Warren. Bruce spent 36 years at WXPN (Philly’s premier public radio station) as a DJ and Program Director and was the Executive Producer at the legendary Philadelphia venue World Cafe Live. Bruce’s love for music and love for the Birds cannot be understated.

As Bruce said of the Eagles losing Brown, “while it stinks, cause he’s amazing, both the Eagles and A.J. have read the writing on the wall. It looks like the Eagles’ offense just doesn’t have the kind of role he wants.” I believe the streets call that conscious uncoupling.

So, we present to you the Bye Bye A.J. playlist. A collection of songs to get you through every stage of losing Brown. From sadness to nostalgia to hopefulness to “don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.”

We wish our mercurial wide receiver the best of luck heading to greener pastures (or “paschtaaas” as they pronounce it in New England). Take a listen, feel your feelings, and rewatch A.J. Brown highlights from the 2022 season. And comment below to tell us which song you’ll be playing when the Eagles trade A.J.

Catch up on all things A.J. Brown:

At Dickinson College, it was ritual to drink lukewarm Bud heavies and play FIFA with my friends. And when blessed with the opportunity to hit sticks, it was my destiny to get smacked. Walloped. Pan-fried. Despite growing up playing soccer and digesting my fair share of half-time orange slices, I understood very little about the game. What’s worse is that I had no allegiance to a team. I chose what team to play with based on whether or not I recognized any of their players. I was surrounded by friends who were Chelsea and Manchester United fans, while depriving myself of a global fandom experience and the opportunity to finish sentences with “innit.”

On a professional sports level, I invested all of my fan stock into the tumultuous experience of rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles (we will forget about the 76ers at this time for mental health purposes). The waters are rocky, the vibes are mixed. But I’ve always been interested in the Premier League, and to supplement my obsession with the NFL, I’ve always wanted to find a soccer team to root for. But between new shows on Apple TV+ and scrolling through (name your app), I simply haven’t had the time.

With the NFL offseason slowing down and the World Cup coming to the States, there’s no better time to get in the game (the wise words of EA Sports). So to better understand the Premier League and to help me choose a team to devote my undying loyalty to, I recruited one of my oldest friends and diehard Premier League fan , to break it all down for me by comparing European soccer to American football.

Before Arsenal (new favorite team contender #1) takes on PSG this Saturday in the Champions League final, Rotimi talks to me about the structure of the Premier League, why there aren’t any playoffs, why relegation feels like going to the sunken place, and all while making NFL comparisons for Premier League teams.

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You’re a Chelsea fan, right?

ROTIMI: Yeah, I’m a Chelsea fan. When we were in college, as you know, I studied abroad in London. Growing up, we played FIFA all the time, right? And I would rotate between a few different teams, Chelsea being one of them, but also, embarrassingly, Tottenham. When I studied abroad in London, a big reason why I became a Chelsea fan was one of the trips that my program offered was the opportunity to tour Stamford Bridge, which is the stadium that Chelsea plays in. There was something about the grounds that felt historic.

One of the transformative things that Chelsea experienced was in 2004, when we had a Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich, step into the building, and he just started spending. And so a club that was historic and had a lot of history to it, but not necessarily like a ton of success, became incredibly successful over a 15-year period. And so, yeah, that’s around when I joined in 2010, we won our first Champions League. I want to say in 2012.

The first one that they won in 2012?

ROTIMI: Yeah, the first Champions League. We won the league for the first time in 2005 and have won it a few times since then. When Roman came on board, we became a team that won a lot of trophies and had this incredible ambition. And so growing up as a hurt Washington Redskins fan, it felt good to support a team that actually won something instead of a team that was, you know, ridiculously poorly managed. In addition, you know, my mom grew up in London and not too far from the Chelsea stadium. I think the last reason is that we had all of these African powerhouses, Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel.

Can you explain the Premier League to me like I’m a 7-year-old? Like, how does relegation work? How long is the season? When do the playoffs start?

ROTIMI: Ooh, playoffs. Okay. We’ve got a lot to discuss.

Let’s do it.

ROTIMI: The Premier League is the top league in English football. Let’s say there are four divisions. There’s really more than that, but you have League Two, League One, the Championship, and then the Premier League.

The Premier League is the top English league and has 20 teams. Each of those 20 teams plays one another in the league, home and away, so twice in total.

For all 20 teams?

ROTIMI: Yeah, so there are 38 weeks in the league. That’s in the league itself, but then there are four competitions a year. So you have two English domestic tournaments that run through the year.

One is the FA Cup, which includes not just those top four divisions, but all the divisions underneath. They call them non-division teams. That’s the oldest tournament. And that happens in parallel to the regular Premier League season. So every few weeks, instead of playing a Premier League match, you’ll play in this tournament that’s basically single elimination.

And so what spices up football in general is having these tournaments on top of this longstanding season, right? Because you mentioned playoffs, the Premier League doesn’t have playoffs. Instead, it has a point system.

How’s the point system work?

ROTIMI: If you win a match, you get 3 points, if you draw a match, you get 1 point, and if you lose a match, you get 0 points. At the end of the 38 weeks, whichever team has the most points wins the Premier League. And so winning the Premier League is a marathon. It’s a sign that you are the most consistent team.

So there’s no championship game or like anything like that?

ROTIMI: Not in the Premier League. So I mentioned the Premier League and the FA Cup. You also have the domestic trophy that we call the Carabao Cup, which is just basically a tournament for the top divisions in English football.

And then you have the Champions League. The Champions League is a long-term tournament that happens again in parallel with the normal season, and it isn’t just the English teams. It’s the best of the English teams playing the best of the Spanish teams, best of the French teams, best of the German teams, and so on. So it’s like a club World Cup that happens every single year.

It’s a huge deal to qualify for the Champions League, and the best players want to play in the Champions League, and they want to join the teams that are going to qualify for the Champions League. So earlier, when I mentioned Chelsea just hasn’t really been the same for the last few years. We haven’t made the Champions League three out of the last four years. It has a huge effect on the talent that we’re able to attract. It’s like joining the Washington Wizards, being like, you guys aren’t going to make the playoffs. Why would I join you?

So do all the world’s best players want to play in the Premier League?

ROTIMI: It’s actually a little bit more nuanced. The Premier League has the best global viewership, and it’s considered the most competitive league. By most competitive, it means that you tune in, and the team that’s in first place could easily lose to the team that’s in 15th place. The quality is great, but the play style is different.

La Liga (the Spanish league) is really exciting to watch. If you’re a Spanish player, maybe you want to stay in a league where it’s all Spanish, you know, it’s Spanish referees, Spanish culture. So yeah, I think that it’s a little bit more nuanced. I think often, yes, the best players will go to the Premier League, but that’s not necessarily true. Like Messi, for example, never played in the Premier League.

Oh really?

ROTIMI: Yeah, no, he never went to the Premier League. Cristiano Ronaldo was at Manchester United and then left. He played in Italy, he played on, you know, the best team overall. And that’s the interesting thing about the Champions League, right? Like the Premier League is the best, the most competitive league, but it doesn’t necessarily always have the best team. The Champions League normally determines the best team.

So a lot of these players are going to roll from the Champions League right into the World Cup?

ROTIMI: Yeah, which is insane, right? So you have 38 matches as part of your normal season, right? And then, depending on how far you go in each of these tournaments, maybe at this point in the season, you’ve played 60 matches already.

What about the current landscape of the league in general? Historically, who are the top teams?

ROTIMI: So Arsenal, they haven’t won the league in like 20 years, but they finally won it this year. There’s a sort of joke that they are perpetually second place. Like for the last, I think three years, they’ve been second place in the league. They’ve lost to Man City in a couple of finals. They, you know, they just keep on coming in second place.

It also feels deeply millennial to be an Arsenal fan.

ROTIMI: I can see that, yeah. Arsenal is based in London, so I think they have some international appeal. They have historic players like Thierry Henry, arguably one of the best players ever in the Premier League, who played there. They have this reputation of playing really good football. Nowadays, they are…what was that sort of thing in the NFL where, like, it’s not a QB sneak, but it was like a something bum thing. I can’t remember what it was, but people were talking about it.

The tush push?

ROTIMI: Tush push, yeah! Maybe not the exact same, but like they’ve scored 17 goals from corner kicks, right? And so like their style of play, people consider it quite boring, and they’re not exciting to watch, even though they grind out results often by set pieces like corner kicks or free kicks.

A big topic of conversation in the NFL was when the Eagles were the best in the league at doing a tush push. And the league tried to ban it because they were so effective at doing it.

ROTIMI: I think it’s very similar. The narrative has been like, well, Arsenal’s been playing rugby on these corners. They haven’t gotten called for all the antics that they’ve pulled. And so people are anticipating that over the summer, they’ll probably change the rules, or like the refs will start enforcing fouls on these corner kicks.

Do you see a lot of parity in the league, or do you see teams build dynasties?

ROTIMI: Yeah, so Man City has definitely been the most recent dynasty. I think Man United is the previous. The Dallas Cowboys, to me, are like Manchester United, where they have their glory days of the past, where they were very dominant. They have maybe the best manager in Premier League history, Sir Alex Ferguson. They were a true dynasty. They were incredible in the 90s and early 2000s. And then, you know, they’ve been mid or trash for the last 10 years, and this year they’re in third place.

And then you have Man City, who are like the Kansas City Chiefs, who are now all of a sudden really, really good. People joke that they don’t really have any real fans. Like, it’s kind of true. I go to bars to watch matches, and like, I go see a Spurs match. It’s packed with Spurs fans. I go see an Arsenal match, Liverpool match, Chelsea match. You got those fans there. I watch Man City play, and I don’t see a single fan. Like they just don’t really exist.

They’re like an industry plant.

ROTIMI: Yeah, exactly. I think it’s a psyop of some sort. So you have what you call the Big Six. Arsenal, Man City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and then Tottenham.

Tottenham’s in the big six? Weren’t they kind of bad for a while and then kind of got good?

ROTIMI: They’ve been bad for most of the time I’ve been following soccer. They had one year, maybe two years, when they came in second place. They call them “Spursy”. Like it’s Spursy to like fuck up a lead. They’re just like, kind of nervy and will often fuck up when it looks like they have control.

That’s like how NFL fans traditionally talk about the Los Angeles Chargers and “Chargering”.

ROTIMI: So, something we haven’t talked about yet is that the bottom three teams every year will get relegated. And then the top three teams from the championship will get promoted. And this is another really fun thing about the Premier League is that, yes, you’re interested in seeing who’s going to win the league. You also want to see who are going to be the top four or five teams that qualify for the Champions League. And then you’re also invested in seeing what three teams are going to unfortunately miss out and get relegated.

And getting relegated in the Premier League is kind of like, you know, it’s like a disaster for your finances because you’re not getting that broadcast revenue that you would from the Premier League. If you’re a top talent, you want to be in the Premier League. So now your players are going to ask for transfers out. Sometimes you see teams get relegated and then they just keep on getting stuck in the championship or relegated even further.

It reminds me of that scene in “Get Out” when he sinks into the chair, and he’s just falling.

ROTIMI: You’re in the sunken place.

Do you feel like for those teams, getting to the Premier League is pretty much all that they play for? That they’re like, “okay, we made it to the Premier League. This is it for us.”

ROTIMI: You know, I think so. But then you have these other tournaments, right, where, like, your objective might be, let’s get to the semifinals of the FA Cup. Let’s see if we can really do that, right? And sometimes that happens. Sometimes you even make it to the final. Being a Washington Commanders fan, there was just nothing for us to celebrate ever. And it’s like, pretty American and very capitalistic in that, like, you’re all fighting to win one trophy. And if you don’t win it, like, too bad.

Like, zero-sum.

ROTIMI: Yeah. If you ain’t first, you’re last, right? Whereas here, there are four opportunities for you to win. And then also there are opportunities for you to stay up or to qualify for different competitions. So like, I think that every season there’s like basically 8 or so Premier League teams out of 20 that have something to really celebrate. And that’s kind of cool.

Ok, let’s do an exercise. Give each of the Premier League Big Six teams an NFL Team comparison. We talked about how Manchester United is very much like the Dallas Cowboys. Manchester City is kind of like the Kansas City Chiefs.

ROTIMI: Man City may even be like the Patriots and, you know, in that time where they were just dominant, right? Let’s talk Liverpool. I think that it’s a historic club with a sort of working-class background. I think it’s a pretty working-class town where it’s really all about the club. That’s what everyone there is passionate about. I would say it reminds me a little bit of the Green Bay Packers.

That’s exactly what I was gonna say. Are they always competitive but never really win it all?

ROTIMI: They’re always competitive and they win sometimes, and they’ve had periods of a ton of success. I think that what hurt them is that Man City was in their dynasty when they were maybe at their peak. So they didn’t win as much as they could have. They were kind of second place for several years, even when they were historically breaking records. City was just doing even better.

That sounds exactly like the Packers.

ROTIMI: I guess Arsenal was historically kind of successful with periods of being underachievers. But I think some people are drawn to them for the longest time because they had this coach, Arsène Wenger, this French dude, and he was always applauded for playing beautiful football. Even if they didn’t win much, they were like, oh, they’re very, you know, beautiful. And I’m not sure what the equivalent of that would be in the NFL.

I honestly think it’s the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles had Andy Reid for a long time. They always got close but could never win. And then they moved on from him, and had a period where they weren’t so great before having this resurgence where they won two Super Bowls in the past nine years. Not to mention the tush push equivalent with what Arsenal is doing with the corner kicks feels very similar. They feel like they’re a team that’s finally at the top after a long time of being a bridesmaid.

ROTIMI: Yeah, I could totally see that. So Tottenham is considered a big club even though they haven’t won shit. We always joke that they won their first big trophy last year when they won the Europa League. The Europa League is like the NIT, right? So if you don’t qualify for the Champions League, there’s another European competition called the Europa League, and they won that last year. And so, that’s the first trophy, honestly, I can remember them winning in like over a decade. You mentioned the Chargers earlier, and maybe that’s the closest equivalent.

Yeah, or even the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are a team that everybody loves. Everybody applauds the Bills for being this incredible franchise, but they have not won shit.

ROTIMI: Didn’t they lose the Super Bowl four years in a row?

Yeah, back in the ‘90s.

ROTIMI: Good Lord, that’s very Spursy.

What about Chelsea?

ROTIMI: I’m too close to this. I really do feel like right now we’re entering our Dan Snyder era where our management’s throwing us into the ground. But I feel like for a long time we were well financially backed. We’d fire coaches very regularly, but, like, it would somehow work or we’d win.

Interesting.

ROTIMI: And so I’m not sure if there is a team like that in the NFL that has been successful under different managers and has had a lot of money. Chelsea itself is in a ritzy part of London. Tickets are expensive, and I think we get a lot of tourists. So when you go to Stamford Bridge, it is kind of embarrassing. And our fans are used to success. So we’re in this tumultuous period where everyone’s disappointed, and we’re booing the team at halftime when we’re down a goal because we expect better. So there’s a level of entitlement. There’s a level of posh London. I’m trying to think of what NFL clubs represent that…

Even the trajectory of like, you had this period of dominance and then because of ownership or whoever’s calling the shots, things have kind of gone under a little bit and there’s a lot of frustration because there’s an expectation with winning. It kind of reminds me of the New York Giants, as terrible as that sounds. The Giants had this deep culture of winning in the ‘90s and the 2000s. They’re a historic franchise that in recent years has become shit. They really pissed off a fan base that has an expectation of winning with all of their sports. You know what I mean?

ROTIMI: I really like that. I did not think of that, honestly, but I think that is kind of spot on, the entitlement aspect.

One club that’s well run, but doesn’t have that much to show for it, is this club called Brighton. They’re solidly mid-table, but they are really good at recruiting players and developing young talent. And they are admired by everyone who cares about data. They do a really good job of buying low, selling high, and finding these gems that nobody else is, really recruiting. I’m curious if there’s an NFL team that everyone’s like “Oh, they have like a really good offensive coordinator, there’s such a well-run operation,” even if they haven’t really made it to the Super Bowl or anything like that.

I think it’s the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have a head coach who’s an offensive genius. They find these diamonds in the rough. They’re the ones who resurrected Sam Darnold’s career before he went on and won with the Seahawks last year. They signed Kyler Murray from the Cardinals this year. They bring in these guys who are kind of like these reclamation projects and manage to find value in them because the offensive system is so strong. They lean into analytics, but they just haven’t won it all. They’re in a really tough division. And even though they always have one of the best records in the league, they can’t seem to go all the way.

ROTIMI: Yeah. I can see that.

As a Philly sports fan myself, you know, I’ve been looking for a Premier League team since we were in college. What is a team that you would recommend to Philly sports fans?

ROTIMI: I think when I look at the top six, like honestly, I don’t know that any of them really match what I would think of as far as that Philly grit. And I also have to come to this as a Washington Commanders fan. Like, your fan base, I think, has a level of toxicity.

100%.

ROTIMI: I’m trying to also match that. And to me, when I think of the diehard fans, I think of Newcastle, I think of Leeds, and I think of Aston Villa. Now, Aston Villa is an interesting one. I think they have a good amount of history. They’ve been asleep for a long time, but now they’re seriously in contention. They made it to the Champions League. They won the Europa League. And I do feel they’re well-run and a hard-fighting team.

We haven’t really talked much about the style of football. I think that a lot of teams, modern teams, are taking this sort of, like, possession base where, you know, you’re trying to have the ball as much as possible. And I feel like Aston Villa doesn’t really care as much about that. Like, they’re just like, let’s just go out and win.

But I think of the top six, maybe Liverpool or Arsenal. The Arsenal comparisons are real in terms of the tush push and in terms of where they are at this point. They used to play a very possession style, and now they’ve gotten a little bit more, just like win at all costs. Their fans are known for being delusional. For the longest time, they thought they were the best team ever, and everyone just sort of laughed at them, and now they won. It’s this huge crisis because nobody wants Arsenal fans to actually win something.

Dude, thanks for literally taking the time to explain this to me.

ROTIMI: Yeah, man. I mean, it’s definitely so different from how sports are in the U.S. But it makes every game kind of count. I love the way that every game counts in the NFL. There are also different things to play for. And that keeps it interesting.

It’s late May, and we are starving. For a moment, as the air thickens and the temperature skyrockets, the NFL season has unraveled. We’re left with nothing but rumors of who did and who didn’t attend A.J. Brown’s wedding to sustain ourselves. Nolan Smith got so bored that he decided to audition for Fast and the Furious 12: How Much Faster Can We Go.

Luckily, the Eagles know this. And to keep us fed with NFL news, the Birds made their coordinators available to the media today for the first time all offseason. Like a pie cooling on the windowsill in a Looney Tunes cartoon, we lifted our noses and slowly levitated towards the grumpy words of Vic Fangio.

What’s special about this media availability is that this is the first time Eagles fans are hearing from new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion (AKA The Prince Who Was Promised AKA Not Kevin Patullo). Mannion lent his voice to answer the offseason-old questions that Eagles fans have been lobbing into the Twitterverse somewhere on the feed between Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini conspiracy theories and random ads for wigs for your Roomba (seriously, don’t go on Twitter). Mannion touched on his vision for the offense, what it’s like working with Jalen Hurts, why he decided to take the Eagles job, and more. Local reporters tossed questions at the new Eagles OC in Philly accents thicker than a Rita’s gelati.

But before “Boyz II Mann-ion” entered stage left, we heard from Vic Fangio, who spoke on Jonathan Greenard, Tariq Woolen, and Jihaad Campbell in between beautiful rants on the irrelevance of coaching titles and his disappointment with the Phillies because they fired Rob Thompson (this one’s for Topper). Vic has reached the age where he has no use for coachspeak and instead, like your uncle at Thanksgiving dinner, says literally whatever is on his mind at the moment.

Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay (a man you forgot coached for the Eagles) also talked to the media. Clay touched on Jake Elliott’s confidence, Braden Mann’s extension, and Makai Lemon returning punts before casually mentioning that he intercepted Sean Mannion in college. So in between the coachspeak…kind of a wild ride?

But what did Vic say about almost retiring in the offseason? Did Michael Clay (a man who could literally tell me he coaches for the Eagles and I wouldn’t believe him) lowkey drop some wisdom about the principles of coaching? And did Sean Mannion knock it out of the park before unfortunately name-dropping Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, and Drew Lock as his quarterback influences? Let’s dive in.

What Did Vic Say? (Aside From Being Mad at the Phillies)

On almost retiring in the offseason

Nah I wasn’t close…I never got serious to where I would’ve done it…the doctors told me I’m reverse aging.

I like the group of guys we have. I like working with them. I still like the challenge of the job. Work for a good organization. It’s something you’ll always think about at the end of the year, but in the end, I didn’t come close to doing it. I really don’t foresee myself doing it. I’m good for two years, at least.

On the Eagles trading for Jonathan Greenard

Pressure on the quarterback is also important, and he’s been able to do that throughout his career. He’s strong on the edge versus the run game. So we’re excited to have him.

On the Eagles signing Tariq Woolen

I’m excited to have him. We looked at him during the middle of last season a little bit because they may have been interested in trading him. You know we didn’t decide to do it…When it came to free agent time, and I actually sat down and watched him thoroughly, I was excited for him.

He’s a rare guy, you don’t see a lot of corners in the league who are 6’ 4”. It’s hard to find guys at those heights who can move and mirror receivers. He can get in and out of breaks. He obviously has good downfield speed. His length is more of an asset than a detriment in his case….seems to be a great guy, he’s into being here.

*Translation: Holy shit I can’t believe we got this guy

Regarding the second safety spot

It’s open. I think Marcus will put up a good claim for it. In base, it’ll be Cooper. When we go to nickel, Coop comes up and plays nickel. We’re taking a good look at Michael Carter back there.

On safety Drew Mukuba and Michael Carter

Started off the season up and down, had some shaky plays. But I feel like the last 5 or 6 games prior to him getting hurt, he was coming on. And hopefully, he’ll be able to pick up from there.

On linebacker Jihaad Campbell and replacing Nakobe Dean

He’s not going to be able to take part in these OTAs until maybe later, maybe not. But he’ll be ready for training camp.

I think we’ll have guys who will step up. Zack did a good job of that. Obviously, Reed did a great job quarterbacking the secondary. I think Andrew will be able to step up his game there along those lines. And if (Marcus) Epps is the guy, he’ll definitely be able to do that also.

*Editor’s Note: It looks like Marcus Epps is most likely the favorite to start at that second safety spot barring a trade

On Uar Bernard

I had a similar experience when I was with the Niners. We have a guy by the name of Lawrence Okoye who was an Olympic discus thrower for England. Looked a lot like how Uar looks now. It never worked for him, but patience will need to be a virtue. Both on his part and ours.

On Jalen Carter

I think his shoulders are fine. He’s had a good offseason of lifting. He started that earlier than normal for him, and you can see the difference in that regard. So I think he’s in a better spot now than he was.

On Jalyx Hunt taking the next step

Just keep doing what he’s doing. He’s had a nice progression. I see him growing his game in all aspects. I think he can and will rush better. He’ll play the run better. Just the natural progression…

I think he’s ready to keep getting better and better.

Random Rant on Coaching Titles

These titles you guys see across the league. Pass game coordinators? Run game coordinators? There’s many more. Assistant head coach, associate head coach. This, that, and the other. You know what those titles mean? About as much as this bottle of water is gonna mean after I finish drinking it.

About Jeff Stoutland

He seems to be enjoying himself. He’s playing a lot of golf. I don’t know if he’s gotten any better, but he’s trying.

How About Michael Clay?

On Braden Mann

We’re very very happy that he’s back… coming out of college, Braden was that guy at Texas A&M.

On Jake Elliott’s confidence

Long career, still confident in him. You can go game by game, situation by situation…for Jake 10 years in the NFL, 10 years doing it in Philadelphia, big kicks, it’s hard to go against the confidence in that.

Jake is going to be his hardest critic of all time. It’s on me to help him keep his confidence up because a confident kicker is a dangerous kicker…for a lot of these players, when bad things happen, they fall into that pit hole of “am I good enough?” Obviously, you’re good enough because you play in the NFL.

For him to fall in love with the game again and keep that energy up and keep that confidence up is going to be big for Jake, and that’s where I come in.

*Editor’s note: It sounds like Jake is working on getting his confidence back after a tough year

On signing JT Gray

His tenacity, his understanding, with so many special teams snaps. He’ll bring something to the table that maybe us coaches don’t see in between the plays.

On Makai Lemon returning punts

I like Makai. He has that California feel. That California confidence…he’s out there in tackling drills…he’ll definitely be in the mix, just like a whole lot of people will be.

On Uar Bernard

Patience is key. He’s already got a lot on his plate playing a new sport. But that’s the beauty of coaching…you gotta try to coach them as hard as you possibly can without killing their confidence and seeing what they can do to help out the team.

What Did Sean Mannion Say?

On his early relationship with Jalen Hurts

I think it starts really with connecting with him on a personal level. Get to know him, get to know what his interests are, what makes him tick. Then once you start to get to know a guy on person level, then the football connection comes pretty easy…he’s been a pleasure to work with, and really, since I got the job, to be able to connect with him on a personal level and then a football level has been great.

What he wants the offense to look like

We talk about play style a lot. Being great teammates. When you turn on the tape, what does the Eagles offense look like? Those are the things that we really want to stand out.

Obviously, there’s things I believe in and schematically have a background in. But ultimately it’s going to be a blend…it’s all about maximizing things for the players…how do we put all of our players really in a position to succeed and maximize their strengths.

Regarding Jalen’s learning process

I think Jalen’s been outstanding in the meetings. And I think going through multiple coordinators and stuff, you can tell he’s a really capable learner. And that’s been really fun to work with on a daily basis.

What he loved about the Eagles’ job opportunity

I think the first thing is the Eagles have been an outstanding organization, just top to bottom. You know that from afar, just from the results on the field and the culture and the system of excellence that they’ve built here. And getting to talk to Nick and see the way he views the game, seeing the way he views building a program, and running an organization, and all the things that we really value here.

Tough, detailed, together. You can just tell it was a great fit and in perfect alignment with how I view the game as well…all of the things you know about the organization from afar become validated when you see behind the curtain.

His excitement about Makai Lemon

Really excited to bring him on board. I think the way he works at practice is really impressive. He’s a tremendous young talent. But even just out at practices, you can see he practices hard, he studies hard, he really takes a lot of pride in all the little details and that’s the sign of a true pro.

*Editor’s note: Lemon’s got the juice

On Run Game Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach Ryan Mahaffey

Ryan and I have obviously worked together, and I think some of the things that we’re bringing in, Ryan has a background in. And his background is unique. He’s been with the offensive line a lot of the time, he’s been with the receiving group…Ryan’s a very detailed guy, he understands the schematic elements, he knows how all the pieces fit…he’s a tremendous teacher, detail-oriented, he’s gonna be a great fit for that group.

On the new Offensive Line Coach Chris Kuper

I first was with Chris as a player when he was in Minnesota. You could just tell he’s a great teacher. Detailed, he played for a long time in the NFL. I think the way he’s gonna be able to connect with all of our players, especially a veteran group of guys…it’s gonna be a great fit for us. Great teacher, great communicator, really good at teaching the fundamentals, understands a wide variety of schemes and what we want to do…and ultimately I’m a believer that coaching is teaching at its truest sense and I pride myself on being a good teacher.

The change in offensive playcalling verbiage

It’s a blend. Obviously, there are things schematically that we’re bringing. There are things that the Eagles offense has really thrived with doing in years past. So in terms of verbiage and terminology, it’s what makes sense to keep, what with some of the new changes coming in needs to change, so that’s something we’ve looked at really from day one.

Jalen Hurts strengths

Jalen’s been awesome. He can really do anything we ask of him. He’s accurate. He’s a great athlete. He really attacks the fundamentals. That’s what’s been really fun to watch these last two weeks. He’s always coming, wanting more things to work on, wanting more things regarding fundamentals. Timing, understanding the scheme. He’s hungry for more, and those are the guys that are fun to work with…He has a great process in the meetings. He always asks really thought-provoking questions, he’s detailed, and attacks his fundamentals. He’s always the guy who stays after practice and is working on things. Those are the guys you love to work with.

*Editor’s note: How many of Jalen’s thought-provoking questions have been in quotes that sound like a mix of Socrates, Shakespeare, and Deion Sanders?

On the Eagles’ wide receivers

It’s a really exciting group. Smitty’s been awesome. It’s a really fun group…our offense is not about any one piece it’s about how we all fit together. The wide receiver group specifically has been a lot of fun. I think we have a lot of guys with complementary skill sets.

Mannion’s coaching Influences

It really starts with my dad. My dad was a long-time high school football coach. Been around the game my entire life. He’s a teacher. My mom’s a teacher. You can hear me talk about the teaching influence a lot when it comes to coaching. Just the drive, the work ethic, the relationships with the players, the commitment to the fundamentals, my dad was a huge influence for me there.

My college coach, Mike Riley…great leader of men, great communicator. Matt LaFleur, gave me my first job in this league, I’ll always be grateful for that. I learned a ton from him as a player, learned a ton from him as a coach. He’s a tremendous coach, tremendous leader, learned a ton from him.

Teaching the quarterback position

I think everything has a pre-determined timing and a rhythm to the play. Installing a scheme that has proper timing and proper rhythm in terms of how different elements in the concepts work with one another, making sure the timing of one route marries to the timing of another route, and then you train the quarterback to really understand that and listen to his feet. If your footwork is sound and your rhythms good, it’s gonna feel like the ball wants to come out. And if it’s not that’s when you move on.

Jalen running more

He is uniquely skilled in that way. That’ll be a part of it. But it won’t be the only part of it.

*Translation: “To answer your question, I don’t know yet, homie.”

What kind of playcaller he wants to be

I want to be someone who is versatile, who is always looking to attack defenses in different ways, who’s always looking to evolve. And ultimately always looking to maximize the talents of our players.

*Translation: “I’d like to be the opposite of Kevin Patullo”

On marrying the run and the pass game

That’s absolutely a huge part of what we want to do. We want to make sure that as many elements of our offense that they fit together, that they look the same. How do we build this wide array of things that kind of start off of a similar type of look.

The NFL season is a feature film. It’s a hit you can’t miss. It’s like Rocky IV if you’re the Seattle Seahawks or Scary Movie IV if you’re the Cleveland Browns. If this metaphor makes any sense, then that means the regular season schedule is the script. It’s that long title screen at the beginning of Star Wars that’s iconic, but also, if we’re being honest, a little hard to read. Every game is a series of plot points and storylines born out of first downs, interceptions, and Jalen Carter potentially spitting on someone.

A month removed from the draft, the NFL released the 2026 regular-season schedule last week. It’s an opportunity for fans to project how their team’s story will be told. A peek through the looking glass at what stands between preseason hopes and postseason dreams. For our Birds, those obstacles are kind of steep.

After becoming the first repeat champion of the NFC East since 2004 (the last time they did it), the Philadelphia Eagles are on a road to redemption after being bounced from the playoffs in the wild-card round. In 2026, they will be playing 7 teams who had over 10 wins in 2025, along with four teams coming off their bye weeks in the Carolina Panthers, the Washington Commanders, the New York Giants, and the Indianapolis Colts.

They also play each of their NFC East rivals in back-to-back-to-back games in Weeks 7 through 9, and will be in a whopping 6 primetime games (second to only the Rams). Unfortunately, rest will also be hard to come by. According to NFL Analyst Arif Hasan, the Eagles have the second-lowest Net Rest Differential (which is the sum of net rest days vs. opponents) in the upcoming season.

But how will the schedule shape up for Philly? To make sense of each matchup this season, we’ll be utilizing a critical school of thought known as Big Willie Style. It’s a method I’ve been a master in since watching Wild Wild West in my parents’ living room and pretending the pencils in my hands were six-shooters. Since playing the Men in Black theme song on my walkman over and over again, despite it skipping at the 1:30 mark. There’s no better way to analyze the blockbuster of the Eagles’ season than through the lens of blockbusters by the Fresh Prince himself.

So, to get a sense of Philly’s 2026 schedule, we’re going to compare every Eagles game to a Will Smith movie. Will Philadelphia use that flashy thingy from Men in Black to eliminate any memory of their playoff loss? Or will a shaky offense make them Enemy of the State? Do I have enough Will Smith puns in me to get the job done? I think…maybe?

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Week 1: Eagles vs. Commanders

The Pursuit of Happyness

After a tumultuous season that felt like sleeping in metaphorical bathrooms while watching their dreams slip through their fingers, the Eagles are looking to get back on track. They face a Commanders team with a shaky defense that went 5-12 in 2025. The Eagles haven’t lost in Week 1 since 2020. Much like Will Smith as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness, the Eagles are hoping that all of their hard work will finally put them on a path toward their dreams before Sirianni gets fired and has to go door-to-door selling bone density scanners.

Week 2: Eagles at Titans

After Earth

The Titans are bad. And much like the movie After Earth, no one should watch this or remember it even happened.

Week 3: Eagles at Bears

Wild Wild West

After getting embarrassed by the Chicago Bears on Black Friday Football (which is a thing now thanks to our Amazon overlords), the Birds are out for revenge. The Eagles are hoping to follow the path of (wicky wicky wild wild west) Jim West in his revenge plot against General Bloodbath McGrath and Dr. Arliss Loveless (that weird little guy in the giant spider). Can Vic Fangio’s defense take down Ben Johnson’s giant spider of an offense in its second year with Caleb Williams? Is Nick Sirianni technically Kevin Kline in this? Wait, Salma Hayek was in that movie? As Sisqo would say, “we’re going straiiight tooo the wild wild west Soldier Field.”

Week 4: Eagles vs. Rams

Bad Boys II

This whole game will be like that shoot-out in the Haitian drug den at the beginning of Bad Boys II. And similar to Bad Boys II, this game will try to live up to the insanity of the first one. Last year, the Rams stormed out to a commanding 26-7 lead in South Philly before a mixture of cojones and pure gusto brought the Eagles back to steal this one. It’s a comeback that included Jalen Hurts calling his own plays, Jalen Carter blocking a field goal and Jordan Davis also blocking a field goal and returning it for a touchdown. It was simply one of the greatest Eagles victories of all time. Will the rematch have more firepower than last year? Can Jalen Hurts go full Mike Lowrey, or will he be stifled by scheme lord Sean McVay in the role of Johnny Tapia? This is a tough two-game stretch for the Birds against back-to-back Super Bowl contenders.

Week 5: Eagles vs. Jaguars in London (said in a British accent)

Focus

Wait, the Eagles are playing in London? And they’re playing the Jaguars? Why is this game on at 9am? Is that a soccer stadium? Shit, I forgot to set my fantasy football lineup. This game will feel like watching Will Smith and Margot Robbie’s con-man thriller Focus. A movie that leaves you with feelings of confusion and thinking “wait, was that good?” only to realize “I never want to watch that again.” The Jags went 13-4 last year and are a tough out. The last time these teams played, Saquon Barkley reverse-hurdled into everyone’s hearts. So…hopefully that happens again. And the last time Vic Fangio faced Liam Coen, Coen was coordinating the Buccaneers offense and hung up 33 points on the Eagles in Fangio’s first year with the team. This is a sticky one, innit?

Week 6: Eagles vs. Panthers

Hitch

Fresh off a trip to Londontown, the Eagles will still be sweating fish and chips when the Panthers arrive in South Philly a week later. The Panthers (lucky for them) will be fresh off their bye week. Unfortunately, this matchup has trap game written all over it. The Eagles will play the role of Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, who, through their sloppy play, could help lovable goof Bryce Young get his game back. As Hitch once said, “Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it’s the moments that take your breath away.” And we hope the Eagles don’t take our breath away by dropping this one. The entire game will be like that dance scene with Kevin James, a mix of joy and confusion until someone gets slapped in the face with reality.

Week 7: Eagles vs. Cowboys

Independence Day

An existential threat comes home for Monday Night Football. One that’s foreign but also very familiar. One that has a lot of firepower, like that giant laser thing in that alien spaceship. Can Vic Fangio’s defense square up against a Dallas offense with otherworldly receiving talent? Can Sean Mannion’s offense navigate a new-look Dallas defense led by former Eagles secondary coach Christian Parker? Hopefully, the Birds can punch down Dallas and shout “Welcome to Earth” while lighting a victory cigar and declaring independence from the rest of the field in the NFC East.

Week 8: Eagles at Commanders

Men in Black

The Eagles travel to Maryland to take on the Commanders on Sunday Night Football. Jayden Daniels is a legitimate alien. He goes into the locker room at halftime and asks for “Sugar. Water.” Jalen Hurts and Sean Mannion hope to team up like J and K to carve up a leaky Commanders defense with a new-look receiving corps as their noisy cricket. It’ll be tough sledding against a Commanders team coming off their bye week. But if they can manage to take down their second NFC East opponent in two weeks, I expect Jalen Hurts to open his postgame press conference by saying, “N.Y.P.D. means I will Knock Your Punk Ass Down.”

Week 9: Eagles vs. Giants

Bad Boys for Life

This is Philly’s third NFC East matchup in three weeks. The Giants haven’t beaten the Eagles at home since 2013. This rivalry is similar to the third Bad Boys movie. It’s not really good anymore; there are younger people involved that I don’t really recognize, and the whole thing has lost a little juice, even though I’ll still watch it for the jokes. I anticipate a beatdown by the Birds.

Week 10: Bye Week

Week 11: Eagles vs. Steelers

Fresh Prince Season 1, Episode 11 “Courting Disaster”

Not a movie, but a reason to bring up the fact that every quarterback on the Steelers’ roster throws the football with the accuracy of Carlton attempting the game-winning shot at the end of this episode.

Week 12: Eagles at Cowboys on Thanksgiving

I Am Legend

At the end of I Am Legend, Dr. Robert Neville stands behind bulletproof glass in his basement, surrounded by the very mutant zombie…um…vampire things he’s spent every day hunting. This is exactly what the Eagles will experience as they enter Jerry World. Like I Am Legend, the scene of this game is set at the site of a devastating collapse. Last year in this stadium, the Eagles blew a 21-point lead to Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. We’ll see if Nick Sirianni’s team has the firepower to bring down Dallas in enemy territory or if their efforts simply won’t be enough. I’m still hazy on what happens at the end of this movie, like, should we be happy or sad? And why did they have to kill off the dog? Ah shit, now I’m getting off track. (goes to watch I Am Legend)

Week 13: Eagles at Colts

Shark Tale

At this point, the Colts will be feeling themselves. They’re coming to South Philly off a bye, and before that, they will have faced one team with a 2025 winning record in their last 3 games. They’ll be talking that shit like Oscar, the fish Will Smith voices in Shark Tale, who claims he took down a shark even though he didn’t. After an emotional Thanksgiving game for Philly and with a little extra rest, we’ll see if the Colts can carry that confidence when a real shark like the Eagles shows up.

Week 14: Eagles at Cardinals

The Legend of Bagger Vance

Much like the friendly ghost of caddy Bagger Vance, the Cardinals arrive to remind the Eagles what it feels like to have an easy win again.

Week 15: Eagles vs. Seahawks

I, Robot

When people speak of the inevitability of AI, they’re strictly talking about Mike Macdonald’s defense. The man himself is a machine with more processing power than an unwanted data center. Not even Kalshi can predict his next move. Playing this defense is like that chase scene in I, Robot when a million androids are diving on Will Smith’s (unfortunately named, Detective Spooner’s) car. We’ll see if Sean Mannion’s new offense can keep the Birds on the road or if the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks will veer them off course.

Week 16: Eagles vs. Texans on Christmas Eve

Ali

If Vic Fangio is one of the greatest defensive coordinators of all time, DeMeco Ryans is on his way to becoming George Foreman. The Eagles will have a tough time moving the ball against a Texans defense that always seems to hit its stride late in the season. This is a heavyweight defensive battle on Christmas Eve. Watching it will feel like getting coal in your stocking. We’ll see if the Eagles can rope-a-dope their second elite defense in two weeks or if they’ll get knocked out.

Week 17: Eagles at 49ers

The Slap

The Eagles and 49ers have beef. The Niners B-team came into Lincoln Financial Field and beat the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round. The disrespect. The audacity. The 49ers should be reminded to keep our metaphorical wife’s name out of their mouth. This is about revenge. In primetime, on a Sunday Night, with the whole world watching, the Eagles will look to confidently stand up, walk onto the stage that is Levi’s Stadium, and slap the 49ers in the face before calmly returning to their seats. And just like Will, they hope to win it all afterwards. It will be electric.

Week 18: Eagles at Giants

Aladdin

After an insane 3-game slog, big blue men will show up and grant the Eagles their wish for an end-of-the-season victory.

Catch up on Burds of a Feather:

The Philadelphia 76ers shouldn’t be here. They have no right. Not these Philadelphia 76ers with an oft-injured center who had an emergency appendectomy three weeks ago. One who collects obscure injuries like Pokémon cards. Not these Philadelphia 76ers led by an undersized guard who’s had to carry the weight of the team through high-minute counts and a rotating supporting cast. Not these 76ers, whose third star rode an underwhelming career in the Delaware Valley to a 25-game suspension in the middle of the season. Not these 76ers, whose big three played a total of 21 regular-season games together. Not these 76ers, who were banking on a 20-year-old rookie to be a major contributor against flamethrowers in green and white who’ve seen the view from the mountaintop. Not THESE 76ers, whose head coach had one foot out the door after another disappointing season, only to delay his slow march into unemployment by beating the Magic in the play-in tournament.

These Philadelphia 76ers should not be here. But the beautiful thing about narratives is that they beg to be rewritten. The beautiful thing about expectations is that they can be adjusted. The beautiful thing about underdogs is that they never doubt for a second that they can win.

And winning is exactly what Joel Embiid and the Sixers did against a Boston team that seemed destined to be one of the last teams dancing when the music ended. They scratched and clawed their way back from a 3-1 series deficit. And in a Game 7 that will be remembered in Philadelphia for a long time, the Sixers finally beat the Boston Celtics to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Better yet, they did it in the Garden in front of the Boston faithful. And as my homie Keenan mentioned, they also did it with only three points off the bench last night.

How do you like them apples (said in Good Will Hunting voice)?

The Sixers haven’t beaten the Celtics in the playoffs since 1982. That’s literally the year “Eye of the Tiger” dropped. That’s a lifetime ago. Close to my lifetime. In all of my years on earth, I’ve seen volcanoes, I’ve seen comets, I’ve seen a squirrel eat an entire piece of thin crust pizza. But I’ve never seen the Sixers beat the Celtics in the playoffs until now.

So much of life comes down to timing. Hard work, talent, strategy, and luck are all prerequisites for success. But all four bend the knee to the shifting sands of time. And finally, for the Sixers, the timing was on their side. A team that seemed cursed by the sins of The Process era finally saw the stars align. This team chose the perfect moment to become the version of themselves they were meant to be.

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Joel Embiid was transcendent. His return in this series shifted the sheer physics of the court like Matthew McConaughey catapulting through wormholes. Joel played like he shed the weight of expectations along with the weight of his appendix. The Celtics’ defense had no answer for him in the post, and when he wasn’t scoring with singular brilliance, his sheer gravity opened up opportunities for the rest of his team.

Joel is the sun. He is the engine. His ceiling is the ceiling for this team. He once again showed why he is one of the most skilled and talented big men of all time. A one-of-a-kind world destroyer who overcame bad injury luck with a toughness that would break a lesser man. Embiid is grit personified. He is one of the greatest Philadelphia athletes we’ve ever had the pleasure of watching dominate his sport.

If Joel is the engine, then Tyrese is the ignition. Maxey has elevated his game to superstar levels this season, solidifying himself as The Guy. That Dude. A Cold Blooded Killer. His speed, agility, and Cirque du Soleil finishing skills contorted a Celtics defense that thought they had an answer for him, only to realize they were taking the wrong test. He’s a Rubik’s Cube. Maxey played free and unfettered basketball, giving this team exactly what it needed when it needed it. He held his ground defensively, never shying away from tough matchups. Watching him play basketball is like witnessing pure art. Michelangelo’s David. James Harden’s stepback. Tyrese has leveled up. He always knew how to score. Now he knows how to win.

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Paul George proved that a 25-game suspension can be good for the mind, body, and soul. Ever since returning to the Sixers from his suspension, George has looked like a completely different player than we’ve seen in red, white, and blue. He’s looked more like himself than he has in years. The Paul George Who Was Promised. George was a steady veteran presence for the Sixers who excelled as a third option. He hit buckets when the team needed it, facilitated on fast breaks, and provided his signature defense. This is what the team envisioned when they signed PG. The arrival of Playoff P.

V.J. Edgecombe delivered with an all-encompassing aura. Edgecombe’s rare athleticism is only matched by his fearlessness. The 20-year-old rookie looked like he belonged and, in some moments, like one of the best players on the court (for reference, when I was 20, I was drinking Four Lokos in a college basement). His stout defense, ability to hit open threes, and capacity to create opportunities at such a young age and on such a big stage is incredible.

Kelly Oubre excelled as a role player, cutting to the basket when the opportunities presented themselves and providing a sheer will to win with a swagger that could engulf possessions. Quentin Grimes played like every bucket was a new contract, shining off the bench and at several moments singlehandedly altering the course of the game offensively and defensively. Andre Drummond provided strong backup minutes, using his mass to grab boards and hit timely corner threes.

The Philadelphia 76ers are not supposed to be here. But here they are. Context is important. It’s the first round of the playoffs, and the Sixers find themselves heading into a second-round rematch with a Knicks team that just blew the doors off the Atlanta C.J. McCollums. But you know what…fuck the context. The Sixers just completed a 3-1 comeback against one of the best teams in the league.

For now, the Philadelphia 76ers are immortal. They got their teeth kicked in and realized they don’t need teeth anyway. They are a team that embodies the city they call home. A manifestation of talent and grit that continues to raise the ceiling. For now, the Philadelphia 76ers have altered the course of history. And maybe this is exactly where they should’ve been all along.

You go to dinner at your parents’ house, and your uncle is there. He’s quirky but overall a pretty good time. He’s the kind of guy who uses a traffic cone to reserve a parking spot in front of his house and watches NCIS reruns like LeBron watches game tape. When he’s not bumping that same Rick James CD in his Dodge Neon, he’s devouring a healthy diet of Sports Radio WIP. He’s gotten close to calling in a few times, but doesn’t love the sound of his own voice. Eagles football is his religion, and Reggie White is his holy ghost.

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He usually asks you things like “now nephew, what is all this I hear about Jalen Hurts” or “young fella, what’s good with your guy Sirianni?” Before you can answer, he offers nostalgia as a solution, saying things like “now (insert player from the 80’s) that was a real (insert their position)” or “the game hasn’t been the same since the pads got smaller.”

Like clockwork, before the pot roast hits the plate, he pops the cap off a fresh Yuengling and hurls a question in your general direction, “So, what’s going on with the Birds?”

Your uncle asks a fair question. We have reached offseason purgatory. Free agency and the NFL draft are over, and training camp doesn’t start until late June. For the next few months, us football sickos will have to find new hobbies like woodworking or betting our life savings on how many clouds will be in the sky on a particular day on Kalshi.

But for the past few months, the Eagles have made some big changes. They’ve shed some skin and embraced an offensive metamorphosis under new coordinator Sean Mannion. So there’s a lot to catch your uncle up on. And after he tells you about Ron Jaworski and the 1981 Super Bowl, here’s how you can answer his question.

How Did the Eagles Do in the Draft?

In the past week, football pundits graded each NFL team’s draft. Grades are typically assigned based on which teams the media thinks got the most value or brought in the best talent for their systems and situations.

Fortunately for Birds fans, the football community thought Howie Roseman drafted pretty well this year. Unfortunately, a draft grade is like farting in a movie theater. In the moment, it’s all anyone can think about, but a few months from now, most people won’t even remember it happened.

The Eagles brought in a group of high upside players who have a lot to prove. Some players could help the team immediately, some could grow into contributors in a few seasons, and some could become integral pieces to the team’s present and future identity. But Philly still took some risks. They bet on past production at key positions and took big swings on players with elite physical traits. Here’s a look at who they drafted.

• Makai Lemon (wide receiver from USC): I wrote about my guy Makai last week. He’s a versatile wide receiver who does his best work out of the slot and in the middle of the field. He plays like a pitbull (the dog, not Mr. Worldwide), with the toughness of that old pair of New Balances you still wear. Dude catches everything thrown in his direction. He’s a little undersized and lacks elite physical traits, but has a serious case of “that dog in him.” If Jalen Hurts can evolve his game to attack the middle of the field, Lemon will be his best friend.

• Eli Stowers (tight end from Vanderbilt): Stowers won the John Mackey Award last year as the best tight end in college football. Coached by ex-Eagle Jordan Matthews, Stowers plays like a supersized slot receiver with smooth route running and great hands. He’s an explosive pass catcher and incredible athlete who should do well as long as he’s not asked to block anyone.

• Markel Bell (offensive lineman from Miami): Markel Bell is big, but he’s also huge. On top of that, he’s enormous. He didn’t allow a sack as a senior. Did I also mention, he’s massive? (check out this review of Bell on the Trenchwarfare Substack)

• Cole Payton (quarterback out of North Dakota State AKA “The House that Wentz Built”): Cole Payton’s draft comp is a trebuchet. He’s a mountain of a man who, at 6-foot-3, 232 lbs, is bigger than A.J. Brown. He throws the ball far and fast, had a 72% completion percentage in 2025, and sprints like a runaway train (he had 29 carries of 10-plus yards in 2025). The downside, he’s only thrown 282 passes in his college football career and needs to tighten up some inconsistent mechanics.

• Micah Morris (offensive lineman out of Georgia): The only Georgia lineman to start every game in 2025 also never allowed a sack. A raw player who has work to do to become a starting guard in the NFL.

• Cole Wisniewski (safety out of Texas Tech): The Eagles put a quarter in the safety machine and are hoping it spits out another Reed Blankenship.

• Uar Bernard (just a dude from Nigeria): The most fascinating pick is a dude who has never played football at all. Bernard is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program that gives opportunities to players abroad. The same program that brought Jordan Mailata to the Eagles in 2018 (which turned out pretty well). Uar is built like he was bitten by a radioactive spider. He has a chance to be one of the most insane athletes to ever touch a football field. The 6-foot-4, 306 lbs, 21-year-old Nigerian is training to be a defensive lineman. Bernard’s testing was off the charts with a broad jump that was 14 inches more than any other defensive tackle in the combine and a 4.63 40-yard dash.

• Keyshawn James-Newby (defensive end out of the University of New Mexico): Led the Mountain West in sacks last year, so that’s something. But overall would be pleasantly surprised if he made an impact.

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How’s the Roster Shaping Up?

The Eagles have spent premium resources solidifying Sean Mannion’s vision for the offense. With an impending A.J. Brown trade, they overhauled their wide receiver room with the additions of Hollywood Brown (who I argue should change his name to “South Philly” Brown), Dontayvion Wicks (AKA “Don Wick)”, Elijah Moore, and Makai Lemon as they shift towards a more egalitarian approach to complement DeVonta Smith.

They brought back Dallas Goedert (AKA The Man Named After A City), signed a couple of blocking tight ends, and drafted a supersized pass catcher in Eli Stowers.

The defensive roster looks strong with the addition of Tariq Woolen in the secondary and the acquisition of veteran pass rusher Jonathan Greenard, whom the Eagles acquired from the Minnesota Vikings during the draft for two 3rd-round picks. Greenard is a certified stud and was only traded from Minnesota because the money didn’t work with the Vikings’ current cap situation. The 28-year-old is a versatile pass rusher who was 7th in the league in pressure rate last year despite dealing with a shoulder injury. He steps into Jaelan Phillips’ role as the premier pass rusher on the defensive line alongside Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, and newly signed Arnold Ebiketie.

So what are the Eagles’ remaining needs? The only glaring hole in Uncle Vic Fangio’s defense is at safety. Andrew Mukuba steps back into the starting role after an up-and-down rookie season that ended early with injury. Marcus Epps is set to start across from him, and Michael Carter, whom the Eagles traded for from the Jets last year, is making the switch from slot to safety.

The safety group is as inspiring as a made-for-TV movie about Joey Chestnut (“How one man ate a million hotdogs. A&E presents Hunger for Greatness: The Joey Chestnut Story”). But I think Howie Roseman is comfortable going into the season with replacement-level play at the position.

There are solid starting safeties available in the free agent market, and the Eagles are banking on an improved secondary with Tariq Woolen being able to take the pressure off the safeties in Fangio’s scheme. The safety position is one you can easily cover up. The main thing the Eagles will miss from the loss of Reed Blankenship is his play in the run game.

The Eagles could also use solid depth on the offensive and defensive lines. Roseman drafted offensive linemen who feel more like long-term projects rather than short-term understudies. With injuries weaving their way through this offensive line last year, it would behoove the Birds to bring in some free-agent depth in case someone goes down. Maybe a reunion with our old friend Mekhi Becton is in the works?

Aside from Becton, there are several veteran linemen available who have experience in the new wide zone scheme with ties to Mannion’s influences in Sean McVay, Kevin O’Connell, or Matt LaFleur. The defensive line could use some depth on the interior as well. Someone who can eat up snaps (also like Joey Chestnut) and provide solid run support. Veteran options are available to sign there as well.

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What’s this I Hear About The Eagles Losing Front Office Executives?

In less sexy news, the Eagles lost two key members of their front office this week in Assistant General Manager Alec Halaby and Senior Vice President Bryce Johnston. Howie Roseman’s front office has been a wellspring of talent for the past several years, with teams around the league wanting a piece of the Kelly Green mojo. Both Halaby and Johnston are big losses for the franchise.

Halaby was instrumental in implementing advanced analytics throughout the organization. After starting as an intern in 2007, he rose through the ranks and played a pivotal role in player acquisition and evaluation, team-building, and sports performance. He helped overhaul the Eagles into one of the most forward-thinking and innovative front offices.

Bryce Johnston was the cap guru. He acted as the Eagles’ lead cap strategist and played a key role in player contract negotiations. Johnston leaves to join the Atlanta Falcons as their Senior Vice President of Football Administration under General Manager Ian Cunningham (another Eagles front office alum).

If you’re interested in replacing them, just drop off your resume on the doorstep of the Linc wrapped in an A.J. Brown jersey.

So What’s Next?

This is where you tell your uncle during dessert how we’ll all be held hostage by the A.J. Brown trade speculation for the next month. But a resolution is coming after June 1, when the dead cap hit for trading Brown goes down, so until then, maybe find time to catch up on episodes of NCIS and research the World Cup.

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NFL draft picks are one-way tickets. They’re pennies in a fountain. They’re reckless gambles at the blackjack table. Visions coming to fruition through the waving of a draft card. But very rarely are draft picks omens. Like storm clouds rolling over the horizon or HR putting an impromptu meeting on your calendar. An abrupt signal of the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Omens happen rarely, but last night was one of those moments when the Philadelphia Eagles drafted USC receiver Makai Lemon.

In the first round of the NFL Draft, the Eagles traded two fourth-round picks and the 23rd overall pick to the Dallas Jerry Joneses for the 20th overall pick and a 2027 7th rounder. In recent drafts, Howie Roseman has never been shy about going to get his man. And after a quiet fall down draft boards, Roseman let the line loose and reeled in Makai Lemon.

Lemon is a Grade A, organic certified baller. He won the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s best wide receiver in 2025. He’s a maniac who prefers to set all of his clocks to demon time. Lemon had 4 games of over 150 yards receiving last year, caught a touchdown in 66% of his games, and averaged 14.6 yards per reception.

Though he’s undersized and lacks elite physical traits, “make-you-miss-Makai” catches everything, consistently gets open with smooth route running skills, is tough to tackle, blocks his ass off, and has the kind of insane competitiveness that could make a South Philly father-of-three who gets up at 4 am to tailgate, crush Bud Light’s, and yell at the opposing team bus look like a boy scout. A lot of draft experts who are way smarter than me compare Lemon to Amon-Ra St. Brown, another USC alumnus who’s lit the league on fire in Detroit. He has the skills to be a quarterback’s best friend.

Makai’s main selling point is his versatility. He can play inside or outside with the yards after catch skills to shine in the Shanahan-McVay-inspired scheme Philadelphia will run under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. As USC coach Lincoln Riley said of Lemon on The Jim Rome Show, according to Yahoo Sports:

“I think this guy’s the most versatile receiver in the country. I think he’s a scheme fit. You could make an argument that there’s really not a scheme in the league that he would not fit in with well. He can play in the slot, he can play outside, he’s good after the catch, his contested catches are as good as anybody I’ve ever coached. Route running ability it’s all there.”

Lemon spoke of his versatility himself at the combine, telling teams:

“Anywhere I go on the field, I’m gonna dominate, no matter if I’m inside, outside, no matter where I’m at. I’m gonna do my best to do that. And if you put me on the field anywhere you’re gonna see that.”

Howie Roseman has made a sport out of targeting elite talent who fall in the draft. In the Nick Sirianni era, the Eagles have pivoted their draft strategy from picking players based on need to bringing in the top-ranked player on their draft board. They’ve exercised this in recent years by moving up for players like Jalen Carter, Cooper DeJean, and Jihaad Campbell, using the first round to get blue-chip talent in the building, no matter the position of need. In the case of Lemon, Howie saw an elite player available later than expected who was too good to pass up.

Philadelphia gave up two 4th-round picks to move up three spots. The price seems steep at first, until you realize that the Eagles have not had a 4th-round draft pick make it to their second contract since Josh Sweat and Avonte Maddox, who were both drafted in 2018. Past Eagles 4th-round picks are a who’s who of disappointment, including Kelee Ringo, Will Shipley, K’Von Wallace, and Zech McPherson. The Eagles used capital from a round where they’ve historically struggled to find elite talent to get premium talent in the room.

Lemon joins another former Biletnikoff Award winner, presumed Eagles number 1 wide receiver DeVonta Smith (who won the award as college football’s top receiver in 2020). The Birds have shifted their wide receiver group from players with defined roles to a group of versatile dudes who can play all over the field at any time, including Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown. The streets call that positionless basketball. It’s a group of receivers whose skillsets can mask the offense’s intentions on a down-to-down basis. If Lemon reaches his potential as the Eagles’ wide receiver 2, it slots Wicks and Brown into their natural positions on the depth chart.

But as Lemon’s door opens, A.J. Brown’s closes. Makai’s arrival all but confirms that A.J. Brown will no longer be an Eagle after June 1. Rumors have swirled that the Eagles have already agreed to a deal with New England for Brown. Actions speak louder than words, and Philadelphia’s actions for the past month have been screaming infidelities (much like Mike Vrabel’s trip to Sedona, am I right!?).

Drafting Lemon ensures that Sirianni and his offensive staff can easily transition into the next era of Eagles football. They take on Brown’s dead cap hit but save future dollars that can go towards extending defensive players like Jalen Carter. Still, it’s hard to say the Eagles will be better off without a receiver of Brown’s caliber. As one of the most accomplished Eagles wide receivers of all time, losing Brown feels bittersweet. The relentless gravity of this story comes to an end, but when the music stops, he’ll be remembered as an all-time Eagle for what he accomplished in his time here. The disintegration of Brown’s relationship with the team feels like one of the biggest failings of this era of Eagles football.

As the draft marches on, the Eagles need to use their remaining draft capital on high-upside talent in the trenches. They haven’t drafted an offensive lineman in the first two rounds since 2022 and the first three rounds since 2023. Though this draft lacks truly elite talent on the line, there is a lot of talent to be had. The line bouncing back is crucial to this team’s success.

For now, we’re truly witnessing a new era of Eagles football. An omen hasn’t hit this hard since the Eagles drafted Jalen Hurts in 2020 shortly after Carson Wentz signed a new record-breaking deal. We know Howie Roseman and Jeffrey Lurie are not afraid of change. They see its eventualities, its ugliness, harsh truths, and all. And one year removed from a Super Bowl victory, the Eagles continue to embrace it.

In 2008, I was on my way back from a high school track meet when the Eagles drafted DeSean Jackson. As soon as I got home, I devoured his highlights on YouTube. I watched his kick return against Tennessee more than I’ve said my own name. With each passing highlight reel, I pinned every hope I had on a 5’10” wide receiver who was 175 lbs soaking wet with speed that could shatter the sound barrier.

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In football, it’s the hope that kills you. But also, the hope is the entire point. Being a fan is about getting carried away, jumping guns, getting ahead of ourselves. It’s about being so enamored with hopes and dreams and visions of Lombardi Trophies dancing in our heads that we fall in love with the sheer potential of a young player.

The NFL Draft is one week away. One week until we pin our outsized expectations on college kids fresh out of frat parties. One week until we convince ourselves that some NFL rookie is just what our team needs to get over the hump. Some of us will be right. But unfortunately, most of us will be wrong.

The draft is a combination of art, science, and slot machine. Every prospect feels like a dice roll. But recently, fortune has favored Philadelphia. After years of Danny Watkinses and Jalen Reagors (sorry for the PTSD), Howie Roseman has solidified himself as one of the best general managers in the biz, due in part to his stellar results on draft night.

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Since Nick Sirianni was hired in 2021, the Eagles have drafted players who directly contributed to their second Super Bowl win, including DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, Cam Jurgens, Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Moro Ojomo, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Jalyx Hunt. Howie’s been on a heater.

Roseman will look to carry that momentum into a draft that’s lowkey important for the team’s future. The Eagles have several present and future needs to address on both sides of the ball (i.e. who’s playing safety?), so there are a lot of directions they could go in. They sit at pick #23 in the first round and currently have 8 total picks in the draft, including 6 in the first 4 rounds.

To help make sense of all of this, I interviewed my guy from Calo Football. Al is an incredible football writer and fellow Birds fan. He’s been covering the draft in-depth, providing excellent rankings on draft prospects by position and deep analysis on each player. I talked to Al about the best fits for the Birds, players they should avoid in the first round, and his favorite player to watch in the draft. Let’s see who looks good in midnight green (said in Bob Barker voice)!

What are the strengths and weaknesses of this draft class?

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AL: The first weakness that comes to mind is how thin of a quarterback class this is. It’s trending that we won’t see more than 3-4 total taken before Day 3, and that might be generous. Don’t be surprised if the Eagles move Tanner McKee to a needy team after signing Andy Dalton.

There is also a lack of true blue-chip prospects at the top. I personally think it makes it more fun because of the uncertainty for almost every team, but it leads people to label this as a weaker class.

Strengths include edge and wide receiver depth. We should see a lot of edge rushers go in Round 1. In my latest article, I discuss how many starting caliber receivers there are, and I expect the Eagles to dip into that pool with one of their three picks on Day 2.

Which prospect is the best fit for the Eagles in the first round?

My first choice that is a realistic option at #23 would be edge rusher Keldric Faulk out of Auburn. He offers inside-out versatility with experience playing across the defensive line. Most evaluators believe he also has untapped upside as a pass rusher as he will be playing his first NFL season at just 21 years old. He’s a run defense upgrade and a rotational rusher as a floor outcome in year one.

We’ll talk about who I think they are considering on the offensive side of the ball a little later.

Which prospects should the Eagles stay away from in the first round?

Alabama QB Ty Simpson… just kidding. They visited with offensive tackle Caleb Lomu out of Utah recently. But I would rather not draft a left tackle who needs refinement with a first-round pick in a draft where they have plenty of other needs. His primary position isn’t one of those needs.

The Eagles have benefited from elite prospects tumbling down draft boards in recent years.

Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean fell in 2024, and the Eagles took advantage. Last year, it was Jihaad Campbell. Who has the potential to be that prospect this year?

Wide Receiver Jordyn Tyson out of Arizona State is my #1 WR in the class. He has some injury history, so if he makes it to near pick 20, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Howie make a move. Defensively, Faulk would be a slight slide that I could easily see happening and am hoping for. Unfortunately, there just aren’t many elite prospects that would get me as excited as Quinyon and DeJean did at those spots. Some potential for fallers on Day 2 for sure, though.

Who are the Day 2 and Day 3 prospects you love for the Eagles?

WR Chris Bell out of Louisville is higher in my receiver rankings than most. He’s been comped to A.J. Brown a little too much, but it’s a fit when it comes to body type and physicality. You won’t catch me comping Day 2 picks to All-Pros, but he would pair nicely with DeVonta Smith. He has a recent ACL injury, causing a bit of a discount right now. He was a projected first-round pick earlier in the college football season.

The Eagles are having a bunch of tight ends on visits, and most are fringe Day 2/early Day 3 guys. This tight end class is deep, so teams might just wait it out until a small run happens. Max Klare is my TE3 in the class and has visited. He’s more of a smooth-mover receiving weapon than an inline enforcer. Justin Joly, Oscar Delp, Jack Endries, and Tanner Koziol are more tight end names to keep in mind for Day 3.

Who’s your draft sleeper? The one player who fits well for Philly but who no one is talking about.

I’ll give a couple. Missouri Guard Keagan Trost, Arizona Safety Genesis Smith, and Cincinnati TE Joe Royer. Also really like De’Zhaun Stribling, wide receiver out of Ole Miss. He’s been a recent riser for teams, so he’s getting himself out of “sleeper” territory.

If the Eagles made up their mind about trading A.J. Brown, which WR should they explore drafting to help replace his production?

Tyson would be my 1st choice, and I mentioned Bell as a Day 2 pick. Omar Cooper Jr. out of Indiana is another name who has been tied to them and had a top-30 visit. Good player who would provide some yards after catch for a receiver room that will need that element replaced with the departure of A.J.

Made big time plays for Indiana in big games and has clear juice in the stem of his routes and with the ball in his hands. He’s relatively slot-dependent, but I wouldn’t be mad about it in the mid-20s.

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The Eagles haven’t drafted an offensive lineman in the first 3 rounds in two years (Tyler Steen in 2023).

Should the Eagles draft an offensive lineman in the top 100? If so, who’s the best fit for the zone blocking scheme under the Eagles’ new offensive line coach, Chris Kuper?

I really like Max Iheanachor out of Arizona State. He’s an athletic right tackle with traits that show high-end upside. With a year behind Lane Johnson, he would get the refinement he needs and be ideal for the zone blocking scheme the Eagles are transitioning to. The unfortunate part about this draft in general is its lack of elite talent. So this is an upside play, which is always part of the criteria when you pick in the 20s.

Which draft fit for the Eagles has the best YouTube highlights?

The top receivers are all fits for the Eagles, with the expectation for me that A.J. Brown will be traded. I think they are going to see where the board plays out, but I would say WR is one of the top-3 positions they will be looking at in Round 1. Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Makai Lemon (USC), and Jordyn Tyson all have great highlights, same with KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) and Omar Cooper.

Who’s your single favorite player to watch in this draft?

RB Jeremiah Love out of Notre Dame and it’s not particularly close.

What’s your biggest hot take about this draft?

For the Eagles specifically, I think there is enough starting potential depth at safety and TE that I don’t want them to draft #1 TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) in Round 1 or Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt) in Round 2. Those two have been mocked to them frequently. They signed FOUR tight ends in free agency, they will draft one, but there are plenty I like that won’t require premium draft capital. That seems to be the route they are trending at the moment.

Check out more draft coverage from Al at Calo Football

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As the great philosopher Beyonce once said, “I’ll be your sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare.” She, of course, was referring to the experience of rooting for the Philadelphia 76ers. Basketball is built on hope, and the Sixers offer plenty of it. But for every step forward this team takes, they always seem to take two steps back.

Being a Sixers fan is a roller coaster of emotions. It’s like getting excited for a snow day as a kid, only for the next day to be 60 degrees and raining. It’s like when magicians perform that trick where they try to pull a tablecloth out from under a bunch of dishes, but all of the dishes come crashing down. It literally feels like this:

Sixers fandom is a shot and chaser of hope and despair taken over and over until you can barely stand. The potential is intoxicating. When Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Paul George, and V.J. Edgecombe are at their best, it’s like staring at the Mona Lisa. A work of art that’s meant to be admired and savored. What’s worse is that potential never feels too far away. What could be feels endlessly closer than what actually is.

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As a franchise that may or may not be cursed by the spirit of Bryan Colangelo, this Sixers season has felt like many others. A combination of high hopes and bad fortune. In 2025-26, they dealt with a slew of Joel Embiid injuries, a 25-game suspension for Paul George, and trading away a promising young player for pennies. They’ve also seen a magnificent season from Tyrese Maxey, Paul George return to form, Joel Embiid look dominant on one leg, and a promising start to the career of rookie phenom V.J. Edgecombe. Still, entering the playoffs, the Sixers have a lot of questions to answer.

So to answer those questions, I interviewed my buddy Sean, one of my best friends and one of the biggest Sixers fans I know. Unfortunately for us, an hour before we were scheduled to talk, Shams reported that Joel Embiid is getting an emergency appendectomy shortly before the Sixers were scheduled to play Houston (a game they ended up losing).

In years past, Embiid has been allergic to staying healthy for the playoffs. Add this to the list of playoff (or pre-playoff) injuries for Joel, including a broken face, a knee injury, and a sudden bout of Bell’s Palsy, just to name a few. Once again, the Sixers will be without their centerpiece as we enter the postseason.

So to get ready for the playoffs (and process our shared basketball trauma), Sean and I talk about the Joel news, the Sixers playoff chances, Maxey’s next step, and why you can’t trust Daryl Morey.

An hour before this conversation, we got a Shams tweet. You remember how Woj had like a ‘Woj bomb?” What would you call a Shams news drop? A Sha-blam?

SEAN: Oh, that’s a good one. What would I call his alerts? This one was a kick in the face. I don’t think we can use it for all of them, but this last one felt like a kick in the face.

An hour before we had this conversation that we had planned, Shams tweeted that Joel Embiid has appendicitis and is getting surgery in Houston this afternoon. So he’ll be out for a few weeks, including the first round of the playoffs. How are you feeling?

SEAN: So I think if I had to describe myself as…if there’s Sixers fans archetypes, based on me and like the people that I know and talk to a lot about the Sixers, I feel like there’s a few archetypes. I think I fall into the one that’s a realist, maybe cautiously optimistic. So at times I can be very critical of the Sixers, but I still get caught up in just being a fan. I can ignore the facts of the situation at times just because I want to see the Sixers do well. So that being said, how I was feeling coming into this part of the season was getting excited again. They were pulling me back in. Paul George is back from his suspension. He’s been playing well.

I feel like he’s moving really well.

SEAN: I went with the fam and we saw the Detroit game live. That was my first time seeing Paul George play in person. And I love going to the games in person cause like, you get to understand the feel of a player’s game and what they look like a little differently.

And I agree, he was moving so well and getting to his spots, taking his time. He looks so strong, like a veteran, you know what I mean? Like, he may not have the same step that he used to, but he’s using his body to like create space and get the shot off that he wants. He looked really good, yeah. So I was really excited, even though we lost that game. I’ve still been excited, yeah. Just about the way he’d been playing.

But sorry, your question. What was your question?

How are you feeling right now?

SEAN: Real dejected. I was excited for the playoffs. Now, not so much.

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How do you feel about their playoff chances?

SEAN: Okay, this is really pessimistic. And part of this is me as a fan, I like to prepare myself mentally for the worst in hopes that the team does better and proves me wrong. Whenever I criticize the Sixers, there’s nothing more that I want than to be proven wrong.

That being said, I feel as though we’ll be lucky to make it out of the play-in. And I feel as though we will be even luckier to win a first-round matchup against, you know, depending on where we land, Detroit, Boston, or New York. Even Cleveland, I would feel a little shaky against. But either way, I don’t feel great.

Without Embiid, do you think the Sixers can make it out of the play-in? Which of those potential play-in opponents scares you the most?

SEAN: Without Joel, I do think they can make it out of the play-in. It’s gonna be more difficult, obviously. That goes without saying, but I think they can still do it. The teams that scare me the most, I’m torn between Charlotte and Miami, only because Miami, they’re always good, right? They’re well-coached. That team’s been together for a while, like that core, so they know how to play together. The Hornets are scary, just because of the tear they’ve been on. They’ve been one of the best teams in the past several weeks in the league, like when it comes to just all the advanced stats. They’re probably my favorite team to watch at the moment.

What’s the reason for that?

SEAN: They look like they’re having so much fun. Really meshing and playing well. They trust each other. They’re just a fun team. You can tell that they’re really enjoying playing together.

They share the ball. LaMelo is obviously just like, it’s like he’s playing pickup basketball the way that he’s, the stuff he’s doing. Kon Knueppel. Like he’s playing with no fear. He doesn’t play like a rookie. But yeah, they’re just like a young, exciting team.

One of the things that I was thinking about is how the most devastating part about the Sixers is how endlessly close they are to reaching their potential. If this team were fully healthy, how far do you think that they could go?

SEAN: Yeah. That’s like the life of a Sixers fan. I think fully healthy (which we say this every year), but a fully healthy Sixers team could come out of the East. I mean, they’re obviously there from a talent standpoint. Joel, PG, Tyrese. I think having them as your three, or just on paper alone, that just makes us one of the better teams just off the strength of having them on the team.

I think having Paul George as a third option, where the expectation isn’t on him to have to come in and deliver a type of superstar performance. Like, he could just be Paul George. I think that also makes them really dangerous because he struggled in the playoffs, probably since he left the Pacers, when there’s a lot of pressure on him. In this scenario, he’s a third option. So I think that really helps him.

And then depth-wise, this is the deepest team since some of those Ben Simmons teams that we’ve seen in a while. When I look at our bench, or even that 6th, 7th guy. You’ve got V.J., who’s playing really well, not just for rookie, but in general. Kelly Oubre’s been playing so well. Quentin Grimes, like my man’s trying to get a contract. This dude is hooping. And then I do like Barlow, I like Edwards, I like all of them. But I think we just got a really nice deep team with guys that know how to play their role, and they play hard and can impact the game.

Do you think that depth could carry them through the last two games of the season and out of the play-in?

SEAN: Yeah, I definitely do. The Sixers have a tendency to drop those games that should be easy wins for them. So I don’t think Indiana or Milwaukee are going to be cakewalks, just because that’s just what the Sixers do, you know?

I had to look it up because the feeling I’ve had this season is like every Sixers game feels stressful, you know? There’s been few instances when I’ve watched a game this season where it’s been like a comfortable win, or I feel comfortable throughout the entire game, like, oh, we got it. And I was just looking at the standings for the play-in stuff. And the Sixers not only have the lowest differential of teams with winning records, but they’re the only team with a negative differential.

Why is that?

SEAN: I don’t know what it is against good teams, bad teams. It just feels like it doesn’t matter. It’s always close. They’ve had some exciting wins against good teams, but then, you know, they’ll turn around, and we’ll be barely beating Portland or something like that.

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What does that say about Nick Nurse?

SEAN: Overall, I do like Nick Nurse. I think he’s a good coach. Thinking about this season, it is hard for me to give a really fair assessment of him and the coaching staff, just because availability for the roster has been so up and down.

Like Embiid, obviously, I mean, he’s always hurt. So you’re dealing with Embiid and his injuries. PG got that suspension. Tyrese was out for a little bit with his recent injury. So I think all that considered for the team to still be, you know, six games above 500, like that’s, I think that’s pretty good, honestly.

I think Doc Rivers, in the same scenario, would not have been able to get this.

Can we also do a quick sidebar on how you feel about Doc Rivers being in the Hall of Fame?

SEAN: Wait, excuse me? No, he’s not...

Bro, you didn’t see this?

SEAN: He was? How? Okay, what? That’s crazy, bro. I can see him getting into the Hall of Fame, but maybe like later. Bill Belichick didn’t make it into the Hall of Fame this year, but Doc Rivers did. That’s crazy.

Anyway, you were saying, Doc Rivers in the same situation…

SEAN: Yeah, just only because he was the last coach. Yes, I think Nick Nurse is the best coach we’ve had in a while. And I wouldn’t wanna mess that up unless somebody stellar came along.

What’s the temperature check on Daryl Morey?

SEAN: On Daryl Morey? If your goal is to sell tickets and make money for your franchise, I think he’s great. He can bring in stars. He’s not afraid to pull that trigger and bring in big names that are gonna be good for revenue for a team.

But if you want to build a winning team that has a strong future outlook and a plan beyond just one or two guys, I haven’t seen that from Daryl Morey. Maybe I’m wrong. I just haven’t seen him as that type of GM.

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That’s real.

SEAN: Yeah. So I don’t like Daryl Morey. I would like to see him gone, honestly. Come on, bro. What are we doing? You’re extending Joel. When we already know his injury history, you’re giving my man a fat extension.

You’re bringing in aging all-stars that have not proven to be able to like…I love Paul George’s game. I get he’s your favorite player’s favorite player. Obviously he’s great at basketball. But my man hasn’t shown the ability to deliver when it’s needed most. And you’re like, I already have an aging, injury-prone superstar. Let me bring in another one.

That begs the question: What do you think about the McCain trade in hindsight?

SEAN: I think I’m in the minority of Sixers fans where I think he is a good player and he’s gonna have a good career and do really well. A lot of other fans I talk to, they didn’t feel so bad about him getting traded. But for the most part, we all agree that what we got in return was not sufficient.

So even if you don’t agree that McCain was gonna turn into a great player, I think most people agree that Daryl Morey didn’t get that great a return for him. It was a bad trade. It was a weird time to sell.

Like, if you got a guy that you know you wanna move on from, like, why not try to boost his value before moving him? Jared was just coming back from injury. Like, if you wanna move him, at least give him a little more free rein to perform and get his numbers up so you can get more back.

If you’re Daryl Morey and you’re trying to sell high on this guy and Nick Nurse isn’t playing him as much as he should, you have to say, “get my guy some minutes. Let’s get his value up.”

SEAN: Facts, facts. And when he came out, and he finally spoke about it, it didn’t add up. He said their strategy for trading Jared was to get some pieces so that they could then flip that and turn it into a deal that would add talent now to the team, like talent that they could use. I don’t know what talent other than Jared McCain, but I guess, you know, he wanted to take those picks and flip them into something else. And with NBA trades, I haven’t seen it work like that. Typically, if a front office knows that they’re trading one guy in order to complete a large trade, they do it all at once, or they don’t make a move until they know that that other trade has materialized.

His excuse just made no sense. To still say that you traded Jared McCain to get those assets and then, you know, whatever deal you wanted didn’t materialize. It’s like, this should have been contingent. And if that wasn’t there, then you don’t move Jared McCain.

Which, again, Daryl Morey, like in long-term outlook, I don’t even know if he cares to plan beyond his tenure.

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Daryl Morey is a liar. That’s what James Harden said.

SEAN: (Laughs) Look, I’m starting to believe James. Daryl Morey, man, compared to, in terms of like his ability and what type of GM you want, right? Sam Presti is probably one of the best GMs in the league.

If Sam Presti, coming off a championship, can look at Jared McCain and see value in him and his talent, and find minutes for him in his rotation, the fact that Daryl Morey says that we sold high and Jared wasn’t a fit for THIS Sixers team that we’re talking about may not be able to make it out of the play-in.

Like that gap in the assessment of McCain’s talent between these two, I’m going to take Sam Presti. And the last thing I’ll say on this, too is a lot of people were saying we don’t need Jared McCain. We already have too many options in the backcourt. Then why did we bring in Cameron Payne? After getting rid of Jared McCain.

And who’s better, Cameron Payne or Jared McCain? Like, what are we talking about? Like, who would you rather have right now, bro?

I wonder if anybody out there is arguing Cam Payne over Jared McCain.

SEAN: It’s Daryl Morey. He’s the guy.

V.J. Edgecombe is third in Rookie of the Year odds. How do you feel about his first season? And do you see him as a major contributor going into the playoffs?

SEAN: V.J. has been the best and most enjoyable part of the Sixers season as a fan. Hands down. He’s been like the clear bright spot.

I wasn’t expecting him to be this good. I was really high on V.J. just after he got drafted, learning about him and seeing, you know, I started my YouTube timeline, started getting filled with like his pre-season workout videos. Like just seeing his drive and his competitiveness and hearing him speak.

He just seems like he’s got a good head and shoulders. And he’s like the type of dude that you want on your team. He’s really mature. So, V.J., man, I hope he’s the Sixer forever. And I hope he likes it here, and I hope Philly fans treat him right.

In terms of him contributing in the playoffs, I think we’re gonna need him to show up big in the play-in, but I’m not so naive as not to recognize that he is a rookie. So I think that’s not fair to him or any rookie going into your playoffs to expect him to have to play big.

NBA playoff basketball is different, man. It’s crazy. The next level that these guys take and the way they elevate their game in the playoffs. Obviously, I would love to see V.J. have a great playoff run. I just don’t expect it because he is a rookie, and that level of play, it shifts to another gear.

And I don’t think that would be fair to even have to put that much pressure on him. And we shouldn’t be. So I think if his performance could be the icing on the cake, that’s what I would expect. It’s like the cherry on the top, but I would still expect Tyrese, you know, Joel, if we make it into the playoffs and he’s healthy. And PG, even other guys like Kelly Oubre, right?

Whereas V.J., the message to him should be like, be comfortable, play confidently, fill in where you can, but like, we’re not expecting him to come out here and drop 25 points.

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He’s one of those players that just moves different. He’s so athletic.

SEAN: It’s insane. When he jumps, dude, it’s like, it just looks like he’s in the air a little bit longer than like you would expect a person to be. In terms of like his build and athleticism, it’s probably since like Allen Iverson, since there’s been a player like this. Like the way he’s moving, or if he just looks, he looks a little extra, like more athletic, a little degree of athleticism, a little bit higher than like the rest of everybody else on the court. The way that he can just like get in the air, it looks like it’s defying just physics at times. V.J. is so good, bro. I’m such a V.J. fan.

In Joel’s absence, who will have to step up if the Sixers are to make a run?

SEAN: It’s gotta be Tyrese. I know that’s the obvious answer, but I think he’s made the leap. It just seems like every year he’s getting better and better, but I think this is the year where he’s made that leap. Where he’s the type of player who knows how to win a game, which I think is hard. That’s a common trajectory. Guys come in, they’re talented. They get their numbers. They’re good NBA players. And then around 3 or 4, maybe year 5, there’s a certain point where they figure out how to win an NBA game, which I think is a skill that the top players have. Instead of just going out and scoring a whole bunch of buckets, they know how to win a game in the NBA. And I think Tyrese has that ability now.

He’s been really fast, blows by everybody, gets buckets. His shots are getting better. All that stuff. But now I think he has that poise. He just knows how to manage a game and can win a game for us.

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And that’s just like a feel for the game, you think?

SEAN: Yeah, yeah. It’s like he’s the clear leader on the team.

Last year, he was emerging as the leader, but as a person just watching, it was never clear who actually was “the guy.” But now, when you watch the Sixers, it’s clear, it’s Maxey. Like this is his team. And I think it’s just his poise in those moments.

This season, he’s had some big crunch-time plays for us. And like his level of play down the stretch, he just looks comfortable. Like he’s arrived in my mind, he’s that guy.

I think Kelly and PG, them playing well, it’s gonna be huge. But Tyrese, man, it’s the obvious answer.

Okay. I wanna give you a little space to talk about Joel Embiid.

SEAN: Man, in general, I appreciate Joel Embiid and his career. As a fan, whenever his career is over, I’m gonna look back on it and be thankful as a Sixers fan that we had Joel Embiid. I think he’s gonna go down as one of the greatest bigs. I don’t know where he lands on that list. I don’t really care, but I think either, when you talk about bigs, I think he’s always gonna come up because he was just magnificent.

Like I’ve had some of my most fun watching, it wasn’t until like between Allen Iverson and Joel Embiid, like in between, I just, I didn’t have as many moments, you know, like watching the Sixers, where it was just so much fun to just be a fan and watch those games. And Joel brought so much joy back to me as a Sixers fan, personally, and like the rest of the fan base. So yeah, overall, thankful, appreciative that we got to have Joel play for our organization.

I’m just, I’m thankful as well as a fan, but I do, from a realist standpoint, if he’s not healthy and he’s still getting paid, the Sixers are kind of held hostage by him. Because of Daryl Morey, bro.

Because of Daryl fucking Morey.

It all comes back to Daryl, bro.

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There’s a story about a man who defied logic. Who carried unearned confidence on his back. Unearned in the eyes of the public, but not for those who saw him sweat, train, and struggle. He would fall and get up again with determination that bordered on insanity. Until he took all of that sweat and all of that training and all of those struggles into an arena he had no right being in against an opponent he had no chance against. And to everyone’s surprise, he won. I am, of course, referring to the plot of Rocky II (and Rocky III and Rocky IV…).

Philadelphia mythology is built on underdogs. The Creeds and Vince Papalis, who dare to grab their dreams out of thin air. It’s an American story. We love someone who is self-made. It’s reflected in the adoration we have for our professional athletes. Which begs the question, why are people so weird about Jalen Hurts?

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The winningest quarterback in Philadelphia history has a story fit for a Disney movie. You know the one. The first freshman quarterback to start for Nick Saban at Alabama who was eventually benched, only to come back and lead his team to a historic comeback in the SEC championship game. Transferred to Oklahoma and became a Heisman Trophy finalist. Drafted in the second round by a team that already had a star quarterback, he grabbed the reins and eventually led his team to two Super Bowls in three years and one Super Bowl victory. Outdueling potentially the greatest quarterback of all time on football’s biggest stage, twice. You know, Disney stuff.

Despite winning 64.7% of his games as a starter, winning a Super Bowl, and never missing the playoffs as a full-season starter, a portion of NFL fans perpetually question Jalen Hurts’ ability to do the things that he’s already done. It’s a constant trending topic on Twitter or a segment on “name your ESPN debate show.”

For all intents and purposes, Hurts should be a pretty uncontroversial figure. Off the field he’s quiet, focused, and very private. He’s known for having high character and an intense dedication to his craft. He’s an avid philanthropist who has changed lives in Philadelphia through his foundation, including donating $200,000 to provide 300 air conditioning units to the School District of Philadelphia. He recently wrote a children’s book. Hurts has cemented himself as a cultural figure who connects with a wider coalition of fans non-NFL fans and those who are new to the game.

Yet in a league that employs many struggling quarterbacks and difficult personalities, Hurts is the lightning rod. The fire that draws trolls out of their caves. Fodder for beefs in the comment section and a money maker for engagement bots. Out of all of the flawed players in the NFL, why is it that a Super Bowl MVP with one of the highest winning percentages in the league is the one makes people so mad?

Jalen Hurts, The Quarterback

Following a difficult year and the worst offensive output of the Nick Sirianni era, Hurts and the Eagles are at an inflection point. They’ve brought in a new offensive coordinator in 33-year-old Sean Mannion. Rumors continue to swirl about their intentions to trade away star wide receiver A.J. Brown. And owner Jeffrey Lurie has expressed his urgency for a third Lombardi Trophy. The Eagles are looking to win now while building a sustainable future with an aging offensive championship core. At the eye of the hurricane sits Jalen Hurts.

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A recent ESPN piece by NFL reporters Tim McManus and Jeremy Fowler sparked outrage this week, detailing the friction within the Eagles organization, primarily centered on Jalen Hurts and how his preferences, personality, and fringed relationships have contributed to the Eagles offense becoming “calcified.”

Outrage on your Twitter feed aside, if you read the article, McManus and Fowler are very fair about Hurts strengths and shortcomings. They provide balanced reporting from multiple sources that often conflict (many of whom are anonymous which isn’t ideal). On the field, the article focuses on an infamous moment in the 2026 playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers (a moment I have chosen to black out from my memory, even though I was at the game).

On 4th down with the game on the line, the Eagles made a baffling call to run a basic four verts play as their last gasp. The play (predictably) failed, and the Eagles were bounced from the playoffs by a weak Niners team. McManus and Fowler state that the call was a preference by Jalen Hurts, reporting:

As one team source recalled, Hurts was the one who recommended four verts. A separate source with knowledge of the situation says that though the Eagles’ quarterback did suggest it, he was simply responding to a question about his preferences.

Hurts is a flawed quarterback, much like every other quarterback in the NFL. Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson struggle to win big postseason games. Josh Allen’s controlled deconstruction of defenses can unravel into unwavering chaos. Joe Burrow has an extensive injury history. Hurts is no different.

He can hold onto the ball for too long, he can audible to the wrong play, he can be too conservative, and he often turns down tight window throws. But he also makes dynamic plays out of structure, throws a beautiful deep ball, elevates the team as a runner, plays his best ball in the biggest moments, and most importantly, wins and wins often. Within the City of Brotherly Love, we know of Hurts imperfections, which makes performances like last year’s Super Bowl victory even sweeter. The story of Jalen Hurts is one of a quarterback capable of overcoming those imperfections to accomplish great things.

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And therein lies the rub. Or at least the start of it. Hurts’ value is in the eye of the Kelly Green beholder. There’s discomfort in the juxtaposition between his victories and his stats. It leads to conflicting takes about whether or not he’s elite. Where he ranks on quarterback power rankings, or how he compares to other quarterbacks who are easier to define by traditional standards. Hurts detractors vehemently swear that he’s an overrated player who’s carried by his team, unlike many of his peers. Even though the main thing Hurts does so well is the very reason we play the game. He wins.

Whether it’s the impossibly high standards we put on Black quarterbacks (a very real conversation for another time), lack of understanding of his value, or the extremely talented Eagles roster who’s dominance diminishes individual contributions, Hurts never seems to get a fair shake. The strength of your roster is a fair point for any NFL player, but who are we to diminish an individual’s contributions based on hypotheticals. The team you’re on is the team you’re on.

Aside from otherworldly physical traits, Hurts superpowers are scoffed at as intangibles that are hard to measure. Primarily, his ability to win and his ability to improve year over year. One instance that speaks to this in McManus and Fowler’s article is Hurts’ improvement against zone coverage last season.

He faced zone coverages -- long considered a Hurts weakness by some scouts and defensive coaches in the league -- on 56.2% of the Eagles’ offensive plays, the second-highest rate of his career. His completion percentage against zone (69%) was significantly better than against man (59%).

Anyone who watched the Eagles recently knows that the offensive skill players were attempting to operate within a flawed system. One that we, for some reason, expect Hurts to overcome to prove to us that he’s worthy. Hurts is simply like any other quarterback, elevated by good coaching and brought down by bad. The untimely four verts call is an example of that. Hurts existed within a system he no longer trusted, so he subverted it. The same way employees do when they work for a CEO with little to no vision. As McManus and Fowler wrote:

In (Kellen) Moore, he had a coach who, according to a team source, was matter-of-fact about how the offense would function and in correcting Hurts’ mistakes when necessary. It was a similar dynamic with Steichen. When lines were more blurred, like in 2023 when Hurts, Sirianni, and then OC Brian Johnson weren’t aligned in their visions, Hurts had more of a tendency to search for answers outside of the game plan, a team source said.

While imperfect and overly critiqued, Hurts commands high praise from beloved Hall-of-Fame caliber quarterbacks. Peyton Manning has said of Hurts that “his appreciation of the cerebral part of the game is what is impressive to me” and “I think the sky is the limit for this guy.” Tom Brady has offered praise in the past. Michael Jordan has shown his admiration. But despite the endorsements and the results, Hurts’ standing in the NFL continues to be questioned.

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Jalen Hurts, the Teammate

“(He’s) got a lot of self-esteem and he feels comfortable being by himself, feels comfortable with his own world. I do know on the road, most of the time, he spends it in his room.” This is a quote from Phil Jackson about Kobe Bryant in an interview with 60 Minutes in 2001. Bryant, like Michael Jordan before him, was defined by his maniacal work ethic, unrelenting intensity, and difficult personality. But also Kobe, like Michael before him, kept winning.

As I wrote last year, Jalen Hurts is one of many athletes that abides by what I call The Michael Jordan Intensity Operating System. A “win-at-all-costs” mentality that uplifts work ethic and dedication to the game, but also one that can fray relationships with teammates and coaches. McManus and Fowler described Hurts well, saying:

Hurts is an introvert by nature, sources close to him said, which can make him hard to read. Some might view him as a stoic leader with the calm approach needed to navigate the exaggerated ups and downs that come with playing in a rabid sports city such as Philadelphia. Others might view him as detached and above it all.

They continued, saying of Hurts,

His steely resolve can be both a benefit and a hindrance as the face of the franchise. Force fields are good for keeping unnecessary distractions out but bad for connectivity and allowing essential items in.

Coach Nick Sirianni has compared Hurts’ leadership-style to Michael Jordan, and his agent, Nicole Lynn, “likened his obsessive work ethic to that of former Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant.” As McManus and Fowler wrote, “that unrelenting, demanding mentality toward not just himself but his teammates can be met with mixed reactions.”

The dynamics of an NFL locker room are complicated. The same way they are in a workplace, a community, or a home. Mounting pressure can shapeshift relationships. Feelings get hurt. Friendships are tested.

An example of this is Hurts’ well-documented relationship with A.J. Brown (which I wrote about last year). McManus and Fowler reiterated the struggles, saying:

Multiple team sources say they never saw Brown and Hurts engage in an argument during the season and were professional throughout the season. But both also tend to internalize issues, which leads to a lack of communication, sources said. “Clearing the air probably doesn’t happen as often as it should,” a source said.

Hurts is stoic and calm but also fiery and demanding in his own way, wanting to do what it takes to win. That relentless demand brings visions of Kobe and Jordan, and I have no doubt it can rub people the wrong way. But Hurts is not Kobe (just ask Smush Parker) or Jordan (just watch The Last Dance).

Phil Jackson referred to Kobe as “uncoachable” and “would go against the grain of the team.” Phil wasn’t the best, but that speaks to how Kobe was perceived at the time. Steve Kerr (who got in a fist fight with Michael Jordan) once said that “Michael would just bludgeon everyone around him.” Jordan himself once said, “If you don’t get on the same level as me, then it’s going to be hell for you.” Both were difficult personalities, but we all decided that the results justified the means. So many athletes formed their perspectives from watching Michael and Kobe. A crazed competitiveness that defined generations.

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That’s not necessarily Hurts, although parts of it are. While demanding and naturally reclusive, Hurts has made an effort to change. We’ve seen him hold himself accountable and continue to learn and evolve. Hurts worked with Nick Sirianni to fix their rift, which led to a Super Bowl-winning season. He’s made an effort to come out of his shell and connect with his teammates. McManus and Fowler reference Brandon Graham speaking of Hurts working to change after receiving criticism that he’s not vocal enough or connecting with teammates, saying:

“It’s big of him to be stepping out because he’s the top dog and he knows that, being that quarterback and everybody wanting to be in your presence. I’m happy he’s coming out of his shell.”

It could be that Hurts’ detractors react negatively to how his personality feels so close to Kobe or Jordan without the same level of results. We live in a culture of comparison and level-setting. No one can get too high. Hurts speaks in inspirational sayings and gives press conferences that make Nick Saban look like the most charming man alive. But Hurts is who he is and has never shied away from that.

McManus and Fowler attributed a lot of what’s happened with the Eagles offense to Jalen’s preferences, writing:

He has pushed back on changes that would diversify the scheme, sources said, including when it comes to him going under center more. He has shown a reluctance to let it rip at times, particularly against zone coverage. He diverts from the game plan and changes playcalls to what some feel is an excessive degree. His strong preferences, coupled with the coaches’ efforts to play to his strengths, which include his deep-ball accuracy and throws to the perimeter, limit the breadth to which the offense can expand -- or at least that’s the way it has gone in the past.

Mike Tomlin once said, “I love to hear coaches resist the responsibility of coaching…they talk negatively about a dude that can’t learn…if everybody could learn, we’d need less coaches. If the group didn’t need management, then we wouldn’t make as much.” As a coach’s son who played under one of the most demanding college football coaches of all-time and has shown an ability to listen to leaders with a clear vision, I don’t think we can say Jalen Hurts isn’t coachable. Every NFL player has their preferences. It’s the job of NFL coaches to decide when to lean into those preferences and when to do what is best for your team and your vision. It’s Nick Sirianni’s responsibility to say that we shouldn’t run four verts.

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If the Eagles want to soar back to championship heights, they need to be unafraid to push Hurts out of his comfort zone. To coach him hard. Nick Sirianni and his staff need firm belief in a system, rigid expectations, and a lack of fear to push their star quarterback to do the things he doesn’t like doing. Discomfort is how you grow. That’s what coaching is for.

Hurts, who is on his 6th offensive coordinator in 7 seasons, has had to learn and unlearn over and over again. And despite the change, he has reached the pinnacle of his sport.

His story is an underdog story. A player who may not be for everyone, but definitely isn’t worth the strife.

I spent the past week in Guatemala, my first trip to Central America. I watched the sky paint the backs of volcanoes as the afternoon fog lowered to kiss the trees. White clouds moved with purpose above me as lush greenery consumed the earth around me. As I stood in wonder of nature’s brilliance, one singular thought kept crossing my mind...“damn, the Eagles are looking pretty light at the safety position.”

As we move on from winter like Kevin Patullo’s offensive coordinator career, we turn the page toward one of the most important months in the NFL calendar and the official start of draft season. Three weeks removed from the start of free agency, the 2026 Eagles are starting to take shape. As currently constructed, Howie Roseman’s creation is speckled with weak spots and question marks. Like an IKEA table you’re missing a couple screws for that doesn’t look quite like the picture.

But Howie attended the Daryl Morey School of “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over.” The team in April is not the final team. The next phase is infusing an expensive roster with young, inexpensive talent through the NFL Draft, which kicks off on April 23. As we gear up for the next hallmark of the NFL season (and inhale YouTube highlights of D3 tight ends we swear are hidden gems), here’s where the Birds stand entering draft season.

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The Beat Goes On for A.J. Brown

This A.J. Brown story is like getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist. People are yapping at you throughout the whole thing, and all you can think about is when it’s going to be over. As the question of Arthur Juan’s future remains, the Eagles have made some minor moves at wide receiver.

Hollywood comes to South Philly as Marquise Brown signed a 1-year deal with his favorite childhood team. Hollywood has the potential to be a game-breaking #3 wide receiver for Philly, with the speed to stretch the field for one of the best deep ball throwers in the league, in Jalen Hurts. His addition to the team feels more complementary to the roster as currently constructed, rather than a direct replacement for Brown’s production.

The more interesting signing is the Eagles bringing in wide receiver Elijah Moore, a former 2nd-round pick by the Jets in 2021 and a close friend of A.J. Brown. Moore and Brown played together at Ole Miss in 2018 and have a famously close relationship. Moore spoke with ESPN about their relationship in 2022, saying:

“I wouldn’t even call it a friendship. It’s family. The things we’ve been through, the things we talk about, it has real substance. That’s someone who is connected to me in a way that’s more than… He’s blood.”

Moore’s signing is notable because he’s not an especially accomplished wide receiver. He played two years with the Jets, two years in Cleveland, and last year in Buffalo, where he logged 112 yards in 9 games last year for a notoriously light receiving core. He still hasn’t topped the 5 touchdown mark he set in his rookie year as a highly-touted prospect with the Jets. It’s hard to fault Moore; having the Jets and Browns on your resume is like getting an entry-level job at a landfill fresh out of college. But still, Moore will have to fight for a roster spot in Philly.

The Eagles love taking a chance on undervalued prospects, but I see the Moore signing as…um…more. As mentioned in a profile on Brown in the Athletic by Brooks Kubena, A.J. doesn’t consider himself to have many close friends, saying, “Obviously, I have teammates who I care about, and I love. But as far as close friends who I can truly, truly depend on, I think that’s just a lot. And I don’t want to place that on someone.”

“A.J. is particular,” said Moore in the same piece. “When you call someone a friend, it’s like basically one level below a wife: a true friend. A friend that’s seen everything, all your flaws, not going to judge you, but also work through them with you.” Moore helped A.J. when he was dealing with significant mental health struggles in the 2020 season, and the college teammates have stayed close.

It’s hard to interpret the Moore signing as anything less than an effort to create a positive environment for A.J. Howie Roseman denied this in his press availability at the Annual League Meeting earlier this week, saying, “Everything we’re doing is based on the particulars of the players. There’s nothing we’re doing to do favors [for] ... anyone.”

But I don’t know if I believe that. All week at the Annual League Meeting, the Eagles have kept the company line, reiterating that “A.J. Brown is an Eagle for now.” Earlier in the offseason, Roseman alluded to the fact that the Eagles are in the business of having great players, and A.J. Brown is a great player.

Color me delusional, but I think this move is all about optionality. I don’t think moving on from A.J. is as set in stone as the narrative would have us believe. I think Howie Roseman and the Eagles are keeping their options open. If you can create a positive environment for Brown in an offense that he wants to continue to be a part of, then roll the dice in 2026 and work together to try to bring a third Lombardi to Philadelphia. If Brown sees the offense and the environment as untenable for his goals, then trade him to New England after June 1 when his dead money hit lessens. And if Moore gives you any sort of production, that’s icing on the cake.

Eagles Insider Derek Gunn shared an interesting note on 97.5 the Fanatic, saying, “The Eagles are not actively trying to move A.J. As smart of a business entity as they are, you have to listen to any and every offer. Obviously, whatever offers and rumors that have been out there have not been good enough to entice the Eagles to make the move.” Patriots GM Eliot Wolf echoed those thoughts on an appearance on Up and Adams, saying, “A.J. Brown is a member of the Eagles, as Howie mentioned yesterday, and we haven’t had any conversations about anything regarding that in a long time.”

So, we’ll see what happens. Either way, I expect the Eagles to draft a rookie wide receiver in the middle rounds as a low-cost option to strengthen a position group that would suddenly look less formidable if you remove Brown.

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Safety? Hardly Knew Ye.

With the loss of Reed Blankenship, the Eagles’ safety room is looking thinner than George Costanza’s hairline. The Birds are leaning on second-year safety Andrew Mukuba, coming off a season-ending injury and an up-and-down performance in 2025, to lead the position group.

As Mukuba looks to reach his potential as an undersized ballhawk, he’ll be flanked by Michael Carter II (a former slot corner who the Eagles traded for last year) or Marcus Epps (who was a steady hand in Mukuba’s place last season). The Eagles also signed safety J.T. Gray, an 8-year veteran and 3-time All-Pro special teams player. Gray’s never started a game at safety, so the Eagles will look to take advantage of his difference-making skills on special teams.

The Eagles also didn’t invest in safety heavily last year around Blankenship and Mukuba. With a strong cornerback group bolstered by the signing of former Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen, the Eagles are comfortable with having safety as a weak spot, knowing their cornerbacks, led by Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, can make up the difference.

There are still free agent options on the market, including former Steelers safeties Chuck Clark and Kyle Dugger, and former Texans safety Jimmie Ward. But expect the Eagles to evaluate what they have before making any additional moves.

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Can I Get a Pass Rusher?

After the Panthers pried away Jaelan Phillips by paying him the GDP of a small island nation, the Eagles are left with a gaping hole at pass rusher, a position the Eagles historically place high value on. But who will devour quarterbacks across from promising youngsters Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt?

The Eagles signed former Falcons edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie and former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who played for Cleveland and Chicago last year. Both are undervalued players with high upside. Despite that, neither is meant to fully replace what Phillips and Josh Sweat, before him, brought to this team.

I can see the Eagles drafting an edge rusher in what looks like a very deep class. On the other side of the draft, if the Eagles still feel like there’s a hole at the position, they have some free agent options. Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa was connected to the Birds before signing with Cleveland. But Cleveland recently opted not to sign Epenesa after issues with his physical. Is that Howie’s theme music I hear?

Other free agent options are oft-injured but still productive edge Joey Bosa, who played 15 games in Buffalo last year and logged 5 sacks, and human building who’s seemingly on a new team every season, Jadeveon Clowney.

The most interesting option? 33-year-old Leonard Floyd, who played under Vic Fangio in Chicago. Last season with Atlanta, Floyd had 19 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 quarterback pressures, and 11 quarterback hits in 15 games. Daniel Popper of The Athletic wrote, “Floyd still has the juice to press tackles to the corner as a rotational rusher. He produced pressure on 13 percent of his pass-rush snaps, a rate that ranked in the top 50 among all players with at least 200 pass-rushing snaps. It topped his pressure rate from each of the previous three seasons.”

The other option is the trade market. Does Philly let the dust settle after the draft and look at a trade to bring Josh Sweat back home from Arizona? Or potentially trade for the Vikings, Jonathan Greenard? You know what, f*** it, I’ll do it. Put me in Howie.

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Stem Cells, Bounce-Backs, and the Offensive Line

Philly’s offensive line is looking for a bounce-back performance after a down year, while also learning an entirely new scheme. On top of that, a long-time strength suddenly has some big question marks. The biggest of all is their overall health. Last year, the Eagles’ offensive line missed a total of 14 games (8 of those by Lane Johnson and another 3 by Cam Jurgens).

In a recent interview with Bussin’ with the Boys, Jurgens explained his injury issues, saying his disc “broke off and got wrapped around my sciatic nerve, so it was just like suffocating my leg. It was hard to walk, I don’t know how I was playing.” Not great!

The Eagles’ 2024 Super Bowl run clearly took a huge toll. Both Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens have both gone to Colombia to seek stem cell treatment for their injuries. Going to another country to seek cutting-edge medical procedures is always a good sign!

On top of that, the Eagles are weirdly light in offensive line depth. They lost occasional human turnstile, occasional replacement-level lineman Brett Toth to the 49ers. Their backups include undersized center Willie Lampkin and unproven second-year players Drew Kendall, Jake Majors (a player I’m not convinced is real), Cameron Williams, and Myles Hinton. The expectation for all of those players to develop with the loss of Jeff Stoutland is a tall order.

I can see the Eagles tapping into a draft class with strong interior line prospects come April 23. If they want to work the market, there are options, including old friend Mekhi Becton (who is still very large). Expect the Birds to work through the draft and let the market settle before bringing someone in.

One move the Eagles did make was bringing back swing tackle Fred Johnson on a 1-year deal. Johnson is a locker-room favorite and played well last season, filling in for an injured Lane Johnson in 8 games. Johnson is also familiar with the Shanahan-McVay system, playing under former Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor as a backup with the Bengals, and spending training camp with McVay disciple Liam Coen and the Jaguars last year.

Fred’s success in that system is yet to be seen since he was cut by the Bengals, and the Jags traded him back to Philly. Still, his familiarity with the system could really help this group.

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The Tanner McKee Trade Machine

We’re keeping the Trade Tanner dream alive, but the market has really dried up for our boy Tanner McKee. Entering the last year of his rookie contract, Philly was expected to trade Tanner to a quarterback-hungry team. But then Kyler Murray got released, Geno Smith got traded, and Malik Willis took his talents to South Beach.

In the meantime, the Eagles traded a 2027 7th-round pick for Andy Dalton, who’s known as a great mentor to young quarterbacks and almost ran away with the Panthers’ starting job before a car accident two years ago handed the reins to Bryce Young. Dalton is a great player to have in the building to help with Jalen Hurts’ development. Hurts is now surrounded by current and former NFL veteran quarterbacks in Dalton, offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, and offensive coach Jerrod Johnson.

McKee’s market may be drying up, but out of the NFL veteran options available, he looks like the best in a market filled with Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers (who is Pittsburgh or bust). McKee has potential as a bridge-starter for a rebuilding team and could be on the move after the draft.

Depending on how things shake out, maybe McKee gets a chance with the Arizona Cardinals, the last stop on the QB-needy merry-go-round, and a team that’s dying to draft Ty Simpson way too high. Arizona would be better suited to take a chance on the Stanford Slingshot.

Eagles Draft Picks this Year

• 1st Round: Own Pick (No. 23 overall)

• 2nd Round: Own Pick (No. 54 overall)

• 3rd Round: From Jets (No. 68 overall, Haason Reddick Trade)

• 3rd Round: Compensatory Pick (No. 98 overall)

• 4th Round: From Falcons (No. 114 overall, Sydney Brown Trade)

• 4th Round: Compensatory Pick (No. 137 overall)

• 5th Round: From Falcons (No. 153 overall, 2025 NFL Draft Trade)

• 5th Round: Compensatory Pick (No. 178 overall)

• 6th Round: From Falcons (No. 197 overall, Sydney Brown Trade)

After committing truancy, terrorizing a small town, and driving his friend to a mental breakdown, Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast; if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you might miss it.” That also pretty much describes Maxx Crosby’s career with the Baltimore Ravens. (Editor’s note: I have an idea for a sequel called Ferris Bueller’s PTO where a grown-up Ferris plays hooky from work and loses his job.)

It’s been a little over two weeks since the Ravens backed out of the blockbuster deal that would bring Crosby to Charm City for the cost of two first-round picks. The Ravens went into full panic mode. They had 8 modelos, got married to a stranger in a Vegas chapel, and woke up the next morning regretting their decision. They used a failed physical by Crosby to pull out of the deal and sign Trey Hendrickson at a lower cost instead. It’s a move that has already had ripple effects across the league. As Al Pacino once shouted in the raspiest voice you’ve ever heard in your life, “Life is a game of inches, so is football.”

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta leaves us with one of the biggest “what-ifs” in football history. Crosby is a game wrecker who could’ve wrecked games on Baltimore’s behalf. The man spells his first name with two x’s; he’s built for this. Crosby could’ve been the missing piece the franchise needed to compete for their first Super Bowl since 2013, and a chance for Lamar Jackson to finally breathe in that championship air. Instead, Crosby is banished back to the shadow realm (also known as Las Vegas) to hang out with Tom Brady’s weird trainer while trying to drag the Raiders out of their 20-plus-year slump.

The Crosby situation evokes memories of other players who were on track to play for a certain team before things fizzled out at the last minute. We’ll call them the Never-There All-Stars. Players whose illustrious careers include legacies for teams they’ve never even played for. Those small decisions changed football history. Life is a game of inches, so is football.

So today I’m linking up with one of my favorite Substack writers to dive into our favorite Never-There All-Stars and explore the stories of some “almost happeneds” and “could have beens” all while Tommy tackles some Giants PTSD and I get mad at Chip Kelly all over again.

Brett Favre to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TOMMY: As I was researching this trade, I was reminded that Favre’s last pass as a Packer was an overtime pick to Corey Webster in the 2007 NFC Championship Game. That sent me down a rabbit hole of nostalgia and bitter anger at what the piece-of-shit Giants have become, but this isn’t about that.

Maybe that bitterness bled into my view of Brett Favre. Or maybe the research just reminded me that I always kind of thought he was a dick. I loved watching him play and respect the hell out of his game, but whether he is or was a dick has no impact on what happened between him, the Bucs, his agent, and eventually, the Jets.

With 2005 first-round pick Aaron Rodgers, another dick with caveats, waiting to take over, and Favre throwing two overtime interceptions in the playoffs over a four-year stretch, the Packers were ready to move on from their three-time MVP and Super Bowl champion.

The 2007 Jon Gruden-coached Bucs won the NFC South at 9–7 but were bounced in the Wild Card round by the New York Giants (nostalgia, bitterness). They were looking for an upgrade over the aging but efficient Jeff Garcia, who had 13 starts, a 64% completion rate, 13 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions at 37 years old. A reunion between Gruden and Favre, who had previously worked together in Green Bay, felt like it was lining up.

With little interest around the league and Tampa Bay as the only real bidder, Favre believed the deal was a foregone conclusion. The Bucs staff was celebrating, and Favre had already started studying the playbook.

What unfolded, according to former Bucs GM Mark Dominik with additional reporting from JoeBucsFan, was that Tampa did not push hard enough. They were essentially bidding against themselves and did not want to overpay. The Jets ended up landing Favre for a conditional fourth-round pick. It could escalate to a second if he played 70 percent of snaps and the team made the playoffs, or even a first if they won the Super Bowl.

The Bucs had a deal in place, and Favre was on board. But when news broke publicly that he had been traded to the Jets, not Tampa, without his knowledge, everything shifted.

Favre told the Orlando Sentinel, “[Mike Tannenbaum] knew that by making that trade there was a chance I could turn it down, but when the trade was made and it was public news without my knowledge, how could I change my mind?”

“There had been enough dirt kicked around up to that point. That’s basically what happened. And it was a tough, tough decision. When that was done for me, without my consent, I was like, ‘I’m not going to make things any worse.’ And I think that’s exactly what the Packers were banking on.”

Jeff Garcia returned as the starter for the Bucs, who again went 9–7 in 2008 but finished third in the division after losing their final four games, which cost Gruden his job.

Favre started all 16 games for the 2008 Jets, who also went 9–7 and missed the playoffs. He threw 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. A year later, he nearly took the Vikings to the Super Bowl, falling in overtime to the Saints.

Here is how Dominik looks back on it:

“I look back on that and say if we had just upped our ante a little bit more, I wonder how many lives would be different than they are today versus Brett going to the Jets and then Minnesota. Because we went 9–7 in 2008 without Brett Favre, and I gotta think we would have been 11–5 easily, if not better, with Brett Favre, and that would have been awesome to see.”

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Frank Gore and the Philadelphia Eagles

JEREMY: Coming off his second 10-6 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Chip Kelly went full Napoleon mode to seize ultimate control of the team. He traded away star running back LeSean McCoy, planted a story fabricating star wide receiver DeSean Jackson’s gang ties, traded future Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles for Sam Bradford (a man whose sleeves were longer than his career in Philly), and banished Howie Roseman into a closet in the Novacare Complex. Don’t let anyone tell you that a team can’t change its fortunes in an offseason.

After agreeing to a monstrous deal with promising (and future catastrophic) cornerback Byron Maxwell to start the offseason, Kelly had his eyes set on bringing legendary 49ers running back Frank Gore to South Philly. Gore was one of the most productive running backs in the league. A consistent top 5 fantasy pick that your most desperate friend kept trying to trade you Ben Roethlisberger and Laverneus Coles for. He was steady and reliable, a walking 1000-yard season and the perfect fit for the offense Chip Kelly wanted to run.

During the legal tampering period, Gore agreed to a deal with Philly. The streets rejoiced. Losing LeSean McCoy sucked, but at least an NFL legend was entering the building. But less than 24 hours later, fortunes had changed.

Gore backed out of his deal with the Eagles to play with Andrew Luck and the Chuck Pagano-led Indianapolis Colts. Gore explained his decision years later, saying:

“Nick Foles called me, I committed to him and said I was going to come. He called me, said congrats, can’t wait to get on the field. And then the next day he gets traded. Then I see Jeremy Maclin, he goes to Kansas City…so I saw the Colts, they were off the AFC championship, I thought if I go to the Colts and I called Andre Johnson, I think we can get them over the top. That’s why I went to Indy.”

The 2015 Colts went 8-8 before firing offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton (whose name sounds like a character from the Pixar movie Cars) mid-season and replacing him with Rob Chudzinski (whose name sounds like your frat brothers’ brother who would come to visit and pass out at 8 pm from a serious case of intoxication). They lost the division for the first time in 4 years to the Bill O’Brien and Brian Hoyer-led Houston Texans, but Gore played well. He ran for 967 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2015 and had his last 1,000-yard season with the Colts in 2016.

As for the 2015 Eagles, they crashed out like your friend who’s losing in Settlers of Catan and flips the board out of frustration. Chip Kelly thought he was conducting an orchestra, but instead was conducting a 10-car pile-up. The Birds pivoted from Gore to sign former Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, who went from rushing for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns with Dallas to rushing for 702 yards and 6 touchdowns in Philly. The Eagles went 7-9, missed the playoffs, and Chip Kelly was fired, leading to Howie Roseman’s re-emergence and subsequent revenge tour that brought Philadelphia its first Super Bowl just two years later. Karma is a Birds fan.

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A-Rod to Red Sox

TOMMY: I mentioned I was bitter writing about two teams that the Giants defeated on their way to their glorious Super Bowl victory against the undefeated Patriots. This isn’t about that, but I wish it was.

Researching this trade took a serious emotional toll on me. The only thing keeping me from DMing Jeremy right now to say I don’t want to do this trade is how the 2009 season ended in Yankee Stadium. This isn’t really about that either.

On December 11, 2000, the Texas Rangers signed Alex Rodriguez, the 25-year-old shortstop coming off three consecutive 40-plus home run seasons, to a fucking gobsmacking, at the time, 10-year, $252 million contract. Over the next three years, A-Rod put up two 50-plus home run seasons, won an MVP, and earned two Gold Gloves. What he didn’t do was play in a playoff game. The Rangers finished last in their division all three years.

With a massive financial burden and no team success to show for it, the Rangers started looking for suitors.

Enter the piece of shit, goddamned, motherfucking Red Sox, from here on out referred to as the Red Sox.

And so my pain begins with one of the most joyful moments of my non-father, non-husband life (just in case she reads this), and the last game of the Red Sox 2003 season. In the bottom of the 11th inning, in a 5-5 game, Aaron Boone sent Tim Wakefield’s first pitch into deep left field, sending the Yankees to their sixth World Series in eight years and sending their rivals home disappointed again.

Their plan to overcome the “Evil Empire” (give me a fuckin break) was to acquire the reigning MVP, Gold Glove shortstop, and finally break the curse from 1918.

Reading ESPN’s 30 for 30 Shorts: How the Sox Lost A-Rod reminded me of the deal that was on the table:

• Red Sox receive: Alex Rodriguez

• White Sox receive: Nomahhhh (Nomar Garciaparra)

• Rangers receive: Manny Ramirez and Jon Lester

The issue was the $179 million remaining on A-Rod’s deal. Theo Epstein called it a “non-starter.”

A-Rod, who at the time and many times after I thought was a total dick, agreed to reduce his salary to join the Red Sox at shortstop. He even signed the restructured deal.

The Players Association put the kibosh on it, worried it would set a precedent that could cost other players money. Trade over. Fuck the Red Sox. Yes.

Enter the New York Yankees. Fresh off Boone’s home run, he promptly blew out his knee playing basketball, and the Yankees suddenly needed a third baseman.

A-Rod had already agreed to less money, not a very dickish thing to do. Now the Yankees asked him to change both his number and his position, moving off shortstop, where he was unquestionably the best regular-season shortstop in the game, for a chance at a title. He agreed. Not dickish at all.

The Yankees essentially traded Alfonso Soriano, a great regular-season player and a dog shit postseason second baseman, to the Rangers for A-Rod, with Texas sending cash.

Now the stage was set for the Yankees to dominate the Red Sox for years to come. More championships, more shit-talking. It all lined up perfectly. Varitek versus A-Rod during the regular season, rivalry boiling over, and then the Red Sox and Yankees meet again in the 2004 ALCS.

We all know the story, and I am still dealing with the emotions, but I’ll recap it quickly.

The Yankees jumped out to a commanding 3-0 series lead. Game 4, up a run in the ninth. Yada yada yada, Mueller grounded off Mo, the Red Sox win that game in 11 on a David Ortiz home run, take the next three, including another extra innings win (maroooooooone), Big Papi, and go on to sweep the Cardinals and break the curse.

They would win two more World Series before A-Rod retired in 2016.

Ultimately, A-Rod did get his long-awaited World Series ring in 2009 with the New York Yankees, but this isn’t about that.

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Eli Manning and the Chargers

JEREMY: Imagine you’re fresh out of college. You get an opportunity at a consulting firm, but it’s not the one you want. So you demand they send you to that other firm or else you’re not showing up on Monday. That’s pretty much what Eli Manning did in 2004. The balls, the chutzpah, the cojones.

The 2004 draft class was loaded with talent, including quarterbacks Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger (side note: is the 2004 draft the greatest of all-time? It also included Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork, Steven Jackson, Jason Babin, Karlos Dansby, Julius Jones, and Bob Sanders.) At the top of the draft was good ol’ Eli, coming off a legendary season at Ole Miss.

The San Diego Chargers had long struggled to find their quarterback of the future. San Diego was a place where young quarterbacks went to fail, from the Ryan Leaf disaster to an underwhelming first two seasons from a young quarterback out of Purdue named Drew Brees. With that in mind, general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Marty Schottenheimer had their sights set on Eli.

But Manning was football royalty. His nobility gave him some sway and he intended to use it. Knowing that San Diego was going to draft him, he told them thanks but no thanks as his camp told the Chargers that he wouldn’t play for them if drafted there. Manning said this years later to CBS Sports:

“Going through the draft process, I was just worried about the Chargers organization at the time. I felt it was the right decision and I had a little pull. I quietly tried to say ‘Hey, please don’t draft me, it can be our secret,’ and they didn’t keep the secret part very well.”

Word of the possibility of Manning refusing to play for San Diego reached Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi. The Giants were slated to pick 4th that year and were looking to draft Ben Roethlisberger out of Miami Ohio. In NFL Meetings that spring, Accorsi let San Diego know that New York would be interested in making a deal if Manning’s threat came to fruition. But San Diego called the bluff.

They chose Manning number one on draft night, and things went as predicted. Like when your girlfriend says she doesn’t want to go see the new John Wick, so you decide to take her there on a surprise date, hoping it will change her mind.

Eli refused to go to San Diego, forcing the Chargers to make a deal with New York. They landed on trading Manning to New York in exchange for #4 draft pick Phillip Rivers, a 2004 3rd round pick (that became Nate Kaeding, one of the best Chargers kickers of all-time), a 2005 first-round pick (that became All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman), and a 2005 fifth-round pick.

Manning went on to lead New York to two Super Bowls. In San Diego, Drew Brees ended up having his two best years with the Chargers after Rivers was drafted but left for New Orleans in 2006. Rivers became the great quarterback the Chargers had been waiting for, developing into one of the best players in the league and starting for the team until 2020.

The Oppenheimer moment for the Eli Manning trade was John Elway threatening to play for the Yankees when he was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983, before finally being traded to Denver. The general manager for the Colts at the time was none other than Ernie Accorsi.

Chris Paul to the Lakers

JEREMY: The Phil Jackson Lakers dynasty was finally coming to a close. After rediscovering themselves in the late aughts to win two championships in three years, Kobe’s purple and gold were ousted in the conference semis by the eventual champion Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki. The worst kid in your math class who wore a Pau Gasol jersey to school every day was finally quiet.

The following season, the league entered a 5-month lockout that ended with a new collective bargaining agreement centered on competitive balance between large and small market teams. With the lockout coming to a close, the Lakers thought it was the perfect opportunity to reassert their dominance by trading for the league’s best point guard. A real “you come at the king, you best not miss” moment.

Chris Paul was coming off an all-star season with the New Orleans Hornets, but made it clear that he intended to become a free agent after the season instead of signing an extension with the team. The Hornets were a mess. Their owner ran out of money, and they were technically owned and operated by the NBA itself. Paul wanted out.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak smelled blood in the water and reached a deal with the Hornets to acquire the Point God in a three-way trade that would give the Hornets Lamar Odom, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic, and a 2012 first-round pick, while trading All-Star big man Pau Gasol to Houston.

Kobe Bryant and CP3 would’ve been a revelation. One of the greatest scorers of a generation, paired with one of the greatest point guards of all-time, not yet at his apex. The toxicity of their personalities alone would’ve been the stuff for an HBO Original Series. Unfortunately, the NBA owners deprived us of that rich potential. In less than an hour, NBA Commissioner David Stern informed the teams that the deal could not happen.

The NBA owners were outraged at the big-market Lakers continuing their dominance with a trade like this. The owners and Stern argued that it obstructed the competitive balance that the whole lockout was meant to solve. Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert (who I imagine talks like a kid who’s a temper tantrum away from being placed in time-out), in an email to Stern, called the trade “a travesty” and said, “I just don’t see how this trade can be allowed to happen.” Gilbert got his payback when LeBron James left Cleveland to form a superteam with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami. He who fucks around finds out.

As a result, Paul was instead traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and a 2012 first-round pick (which became Austin Rivers). The Lakers pivoted and acquired Steve Nash in a sign-and-trade from Phoenix while also trading for Dwight Howard in a four-team trade, which resulted in Andrew Bynum heading to the 76ers (a point I only mention because I’m a Sixers fan and still mad about it). The Lakers superteam crashed out under Mike Brown, and Paul helped lead one of the most successful eras of Clippers basketball.

Still, we dream of what could’ve been with Chris Paul and Kobe yelling at each other on the bench while leading the Lake Show to their first championship in the post-Phil Jackson era. We don’t know what we missed.

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Subscribe and go birds!

A great football team is like a great album. Every piece is placed perfectly, seamlessly coalescing into a body of work that commands your attention. Great teams are Abbey Road, Voodoo, Thriller. Mediocre teams are a collection of B-sides and skits that drag on too long. Bad teams are more like a user-generated YouTube playlist that fluctuates between Nas, Aphex Twin, and whale sounds.

As the league turns over a new year, free agency arrives as an opportunity for teams to chase that legendary album. Though free agency is no longer the primary team-building tool for well-run franchises (who prefer cost-controlled measures like the draft and the trade market), it’s still an opportunity to add key players who can sure up a team’s weak spots and cement a winning direction.

Less than a week in (which somehow also feels like a month), we’ve seen a center sign a record-setting contract, the Ravens trade for Maxx Crosby only to say “I’m just jokin’”, and a few highly-drafted quarterbacks being released by their teams’ new regimes. Free agency is a cold world.

Through it all, the Philadelphia Eagles are trying to Eat, Pray, Love themselves into a new offensive identity after being bounced in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The Eagles are like your roommate in college got fired from their VC firm, took psychedelics for the first time, and decided to commit themselves to practicing Reiki (“Derek, please stop commenting on my chakra”).

While other teams have aggressively built through free agency, the Eagles still have a lot to figure out. Like your least productive coworker likes to say, it feels like they’re just “juggling a lot right now.”

The A.J. Brown decision is swinging over their head like an All-Pro guillotine while the Eagles still need to make a call on re-signing Dallas Goedert or letting him walk. If the Eagles lose Brown and Goedert, that means their top two touchdown catchers will be out of the building (Goedert led the team with 11 touchdown catches in 2025, and Brown came in second with 7).

They also need to extend Jalen Carter while ensuring the 5th-ranked defense by points per game doesn’t take a step back. Still, it’s been an eventful week for the Birds since the legal tampering period started last Monday.

So we’re going to recount the Eagles’ free agency activity through the gift of song, creating our own soundtrack for free agency so far. Let’s see if the Eagles are trending towards Abbey Road or YouTube whale sounds.

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Jordan Davis Signs a 3-Year $78 Million Extension

“So, I’m back up in the game…Running things to keep my swing…Letting all the people know…That I’m back to run the show” - Mark Morrison

“Ain’t really trip on the credit, I just paid all of my dues. I just respected the game, now my name all in the news” - Nipsey Hussle

Big man got paid! After an incredibly productive season, the Eagles awarded defensive tackle Jordan Davis with a $78 million 3-year extension with $65 million guaranteed. The big man got a big check (side note: teams should reward players with contracts by delivering giant Publishers Clearing House-style checks to their front doors).

The extension makes Davis the highest-paid nose tackle in league history and a living reminder of what happens when you ride your Peloton instead of using it as a clothing rack. In 2025, Davis ranked 6th in run stop win rankings, proving to be an elite run defender. He went from averaging 30 tackles in his first three seasons to 72 tackles in 2025. He also had career highs in QB hits, tackles for loss, and batted passes. His season featured highlight plays like the game-winning field goal block against the Rams.

More importantly, Davis is a leader in the locker room and a voice of reason for fellow defensive tackle Jalen Carter. It’s nice to see Davis hanging around in Philly for a long time.

Howie Roseman Stays Patient in Free Agency

“I just want to take it nice and slow” - Usher

As I wrote in my free agency preview, the Eagles are taking things slow in free agency as expected. The best course of action for a contender with an inflated balance sheet is patience and resolve in the face of shiny objects.

Howie Roseman notoriously uses free agency to hunt for undervalued players while avoiding overpaying for any significant contracts. With decisions looming on A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert, Roseman is playing a delicate game with the Eagles’ cap sheet.

The Eagles are prioritizing compensatory draft picks (Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski keeps track of them here), which are awarded to teams that lose free agents to other teams. To redeem the draft picks from losing key starters from last year’s team, the Eagles need to ensure they don’t sign free agents at a greater or equal value than the players they lost.

Still, the Eagles have had a noticeably low number of free agent signings compared to their division rivals. The Cowboys have signed 9 new players in addition to trading a 4th-round pick for Packers defensive tackle Rashan Gary for some reason. The Commanders have signed 12 new players, and the New York Giants have signed 10. The Eagles have signed a grand total of 4 new players, all to 1-year deals.

The slow roll is the right approach for this team. With a team with this much talent, keeping the band together is bound to become expensive. The Eagles are counting on the draft and trade market to build a Super Bowl contender at a cost that makes sense.

Jaelan Phillips Signs with the Carolina Panthers

“North Carolinaaaa come on and raise up” - Petey Pablo

“Do you want him? Or do you want me? Cuz I want you.” - Prince

After acquiring him for a third-round pick from Miami last year, there was hope that all-world game-wrecking edge rusher Jaelan Phillips would re-sign with the Eagles. Phillips was the Eagles’ priority free agent, and reports state that they tried to make a push to bring him back. But an edge rusher of Phillips’ caliber commands a hefty payday and rightfully so.

Jaelan signed with the Carolina Panthers for 4-years and $120M with $80M guaranteed. His contract value is greater than the GDP of the small island nation of Tuvalu (where my Tuvalu-heads at!?).

The 26-year old pass rusher is a star and joins a fast-rising Carolina team that’s rehauling its defense. Unfortunately, there’s no way the Eagles could’ve resigned Phillips at a number close to that. They have too many mouths to feed. Still, Phillips helped take this defense from good to dominant. He’ll be missed as the Eagles look for ways to replace his production.

The Eagles Lose Reed Blankenship, Nakobe Dean, and Jahan Dotson

“Tell me why…is it so…don’t wanna let you go” - Michael Jackson

Free agency can be cruel. The Eagles lost three key starters from their Super Bowl team, signaling a significant shift at key positions.

Wide receiver Jahan Dotson signed with the Atlanta Falcons in the pursuit of more opportunities that reflect his first-round draft pick pedigree. Reed Blankenship is heading to Houston to play under DeMeco Ryans legendary defense. And Nakobe Dean is heading to Vegas to help turn around the struggling Raiders.

Dotson, though underutilized, is a receiver with a lot of potential. With the status of A.J. Brown in the air, I thought the Eagles might hold onto Dotson as insurance. He’d make an excellent second wide-out behind DeVonta Smith. But the price was too steep.

Blankenship has been a key part of the Eagles’ secondary since joining the team as an undrafted free agent. Losing him leaves a hole at the second safety spot next to rookie Andrew Mukuba, a talented player but one the Eagles don’t totally trust yet. With several notable safeties like Jalen Thompson and Jaquan Brisker signing elsewhere, the Eagles are in the wind looking for Blankenship’s replacement.

The Nakobe Dean was heartbreaking but expected. The Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell last year, signaling that Dean’s time as an Eagle was coming to an end. Still, Nakobe was the beating heart of this defense. He had led the team in forced fumbles and made a highlight play every week. From what we’ve seen of Campbell, he’s up to the challenge to replace Dean, but Vic Fangio also mentioned this week that Campbell will miss most of the offseason recovering from shoulder surgery, which…isn’t ideal.

The Eagles Sign Two Tight-Ends

“You’re not the one” - Sky Ferriera

Philadelphia re-signed a tight end, but it’s just not the one we were expecting. Grant Calcaterra is back in Philly on a 1-year deal. Calcaterra is a solid second tight end.

The receiving threat had his best season in 2024 when he had 24 catches for 298 yards and a touchdown. Last year, he had a whopping 9 catches for 76 yards. Still, Calcaterra has chemistry with Hurts (they were college teammates at Oklahoma) and Hurts has referred to him in the past as a “special player.” He’s a great backup to have on the team as long as you don’t ask him to block (please don’t ask him to block).

Which brings us to the Birds bringing in Jaguars backup tight end Johnny Mundt on a 1-year deal. Mundt’s skillset is that of a brick wall. He’s an excellent blocker, joining a team in need of tight ends who can actually block. As Bleeding Green Nation’s Jonny Page said in a recent film review of Mundt, “His blocking technique is outstanding, and he can play various blocking roles despite not being the biggest.” Despite his blocking skills, Mundt isn’t a threat as a receiver.

Mundt has been in the league for 10 seasons and most notably played with new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion for 4 seasons with the Rams and the Vikings. Mundt is another player familiar with the Shanahan/McVay offensive scheme that the Eagles are shifting towards.

This isn’t a signing that will light the world on fire, but it’s good to have good players that fit this system in the building. Still, neither Calcaterra nor Mundt is the one. If Goedert moves on, the Eagles will still be in pursuit of a #1 tight end on this roster.

Tariq Woolen Signs with the Eagles

I get on they a**, yeah, somebody gotta do it…I make ‘em **** mad, yeah, somebody gotta do it - Kendrick Lamar

The Eagles signed former Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen to a 1-year deal a month after Woolen won his first Super Bowl with the Seahawks. The 5th-year cornerback is insanely talented. At 6-foot-4, Woolen boasts a rare combination of size and speed.

He was a revelation in his rookie season, finishing the season as a finalist for defensive rookie of the year. In the three seasons since, Woolen’s performance has fluctuated. He has a lot in common with Eagles fans, he talks a lot of shit and is unnecessarily aggressive at times. Our boy will fit right in.

For all of his physical gifts, Woolen can suffer from poor tackling, lapses in concentration, and a healthy dose of penalties. He’s a bit of a hothead who’s been benched on separate occasions due to both on-the-field performance and violating team rules.

Coach Mike Macdonald explained Woolen best to ESPN, saying, “When he’s locked in, I think he’s as good as it gets. And then when he’s not as locked in, then that’s when some technique errors show up. But it has nothing to do with his ability.”

Still, Woolen is a stud. He has the potential to reclaim his status as an elite corner, especially playing alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. He’s a level up from Adoree Jackson. In 2025, Woolen allowed a 54.2% completion percentage and a 75.5 rating for opposing quarterbacks in the regular season. For reference, Adoree Jackson allowed a 62.7% completion percentage and an 87 rating.

The Eagles seem comfortable with shifting their weak spots on defense from the second cornerback spot to safety. Woolen has the potential to be the best outside corner Quinyon Mitchell has played across and make this secondary even more formidable than it was last year. For a one-year prove-it deal, this could be a slam dunk for Howie and the Eagles. The hope is that new Eagles secondary coach Mike Pellegrino can work the wonders that former secondary coach Christian Parker did in player development before Parker left for Dallas. Speaking of…

The Eagles Sign Cornerback Jonathan Jones

“Fully equipped, you know we come wit’ all the supplies” - Busta Rhymes

The Eagles collect cornerbacks like Pokémon cards. Going into training camp in 2025, the Eagles had 11 cornerbacks on the roster. After signing Jonathan Jones, the Eagles currently have 8.

At 32-years-old, Jones is a veteran corner who once upon a time had an elite pedigree. He played 10 seasons in New England with new Eagles secondary coach Mike Pellegrino, winning two Super Bowls. Jones was on the Patriots team the Eagles beat to win their first ring, but didn’t play in that game due to injury.

He played for the Commanders last year, starting a few games in the outside corner spot. In two matchups with the Eagles last season, Jones gave up a 50% and 100% completion percentage, respectively. He’s a smaller corner who currently has the 3rd most games played of any corner in the league behind Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay.

It’s unusual for the Eagles to sign a cornerback in their early 30s, but Jones is a depth piece meant to save us from continuing to watch Kelee Ringo see how many pass interference penalties he can get in a single drive. It won’t move the needle, but depth is good, I guess.

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The Eagles Sign Edge Rusher Arnold Ebiketie

“I’m an alligator, I’m a mama-papa coming for you” - David Bowie

As Bob Marley once said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” The opposite can be said for new Eagles defensive end Arnold Ebiketie.

The former Falcons edge rusher signed a 1-year deal with the Birds, coming off a season in Atlanta where he was 10th in the league in pressure rate. The former second-round pick out of Penn State led the Falcons with 6 sacks in 2024. He lacks consistency in defending the run, but Ebiketie is an intriguing prospect with ridiculously high upside.

Taking a flier on a proven player with high upside is Roseman’s theme song. While Ebiketie can be a valuable piece, we can still expect the Eagles to explore bringing in premium pass rush talent.

There are rumors that they’re sniffing around Vikings defensive end Jonathan Greenard and potentially looking at a reunion with former Eagle and current Arizona Cardinal Josh Sweat. Another name to consider after the Ravens pulled the rug out from under the Raiders is Maxx Crosby. The Eagles were rumored to be one of the teams involved in talks with the Raiders up until the trade took place. Do the Eagles part with some draft capital to bring in Crosby and sure up the line?

The Eagles Pause A.J. Brown Trade Talks…For Now

“So many years we’ve tried…To keep our love alive…But baby, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over” - Lenny Kravitz

According to a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Eagles have decided to pause any trade talks around A.J. Brown for now. As I referenced in my piece on why the Eagles shouldn’t trade A.J., this was always going to be the next step. Trading Brown before June 1 would force the Eagles to incur a $43M dead cap hit. That’s no way to live.

Though the Patriots, Broncos, and Rams were reportedly interested, the Eagles will hold for now. Despite the risk that Brown’s market will shrink after the draft, the Eagles know that the suitors for a top-5 wide receiver are always there.

I wouldn’t put it past Roseman to have a handshake deal with a team like New England in place that they decided to execute after that June 1 date. I hope that the Eagles decide to take a look at A.J. in Sean Mannion’s offense to see if a better scheme can heal all wounds. Maybe Howie Roseman will pull up to A.J.’s house and lift a boom box over his head that plays Eagles Super Bowl highlights until A.J agrees to come back. But it still seems like a separation is imminent…even if it takes a few more months.

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The Eagles Push Back Dallas Goedert’s Void Date

“I will wait for you… yeaa yeaaaa” - Majid Jordan

The biggest domino yet to fall is what to do with Dallas Goedert. For the second time this week, the Eagles have agreed to push back Goedert’s contract void date to March 16.

Once Goedert’s contract is voided, he becomes an unrestricted free agent, and the Eagles will incur $20.5M in dead money. Reports say the Eagles are buying time to negotiate with Goedert. But if Goedert leaves, as I mentioned earlier, the Eagles will have a huge hole at TE1 and lose their top touchdown catcher.

If that happens, expect the Eagles to look at former Browns tight end David Njoku or a player like former Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith. Both players can carry a TE1 load. It should be a wild week.

One month after the Super Bowl, time marches on. Adam Schefter’s phone endlessly vibrates in the distance. You binge YouTube highlights of a slot receiver that you’re convinced can get your team over the hump. Someone named @footballdouche69 tweets that they just saw your favorite player in a rival team’s airport, sending the fanbase into a tailspin. The ESPN design intern who makes the breaking news graphics hasn’t slept in days.

Subscribe and go birds!

NFL free agency is back baby, kicking off on March 11 (with legal tampering, where players can unofficially agree to terms with teams, starting on March 9).

In the NFL, much like in life, change is the only constant. Through free agency, the draft, and an ever-growing salary cap, the league’s tools for parity create polarity. Gravity pulls teams at the top towards the murky middle. Talented contenders fight these forces to stay relevant. Bottom dwellers fight their nature to become competent.

The former is where the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves. With one of the most talented rosters in the league, the forces at play are doing their best to pull a loaded roster back to the middle. The Birds have 20 pending free agents before the bell tolls on the new league year. They are victims of their own success. Accumulating so much talent means that you simply can’t afford to keep everyone.

In recent years, Howie Roseman has been up to the challenge. Through strategic trades, excellent drafting, and savvy contract engineering, the Eagles have always managed to stay ahead. And while the chickens haven’t come home to roost, they’re definitely catching a ride in that general direction.

The Eagles are balancing the short-term goals of winning another Super Bowl with long-term goals of preparing to pay young defensive stars like Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, and Jalen Carter top-of-the-market money. Yesterday afternoon they made Jordan Davis the highest paid nose tackle in NFL history (rightfully so). After years of having an insanely talented, highly paid offense that Eagles will slowly give way to an insanely talented, highly paid defense featuring homegrown talent. In order to do so, sacrifices must be made.

The Eagles have rarely been big players in free agency since the beginning of the Nick Sirianni era. The Eagles have made 72 free agent signings since 2021. Out of those 72 signings, only five have signed multiyear deals. They usually rely on free agency to patch short-term holes on the roster or take a chance on undervalued players.

The biggest free agency year for Philly was in 2024 when the Eagles took advantage of a suppressed runningback market to sign Saquon Barkley, in addition to signing Bryce Huff (woof!), and undervalued players like Mekhi Becton, Zack Baun, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. In free agency, you rarely see Roseman pay top dollar for outside talent. He looks for undervalued players whom the Eagles can unlock (see: Zack Baun). Roseman has always prioritized building this team through the draft or bringing in young talent through the trade market.

So, before the league tampering period starts tomorrow, here are 9 things we can expect from the Birds in this big free agency period. Will they make the right moves to climb back to the mountaintop? Or will long-time listeners, first-time callers be blowing up the phone lines at WIP, saying the season is already over?

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Positions of need

• Wide Receiver

• Tight End

• Safety

• Cornerback

• Edge

• Offensive line depth

• Defensive line depth

• Backup QB

1. Jaelan Phillips is the Priority

The Eagles’ biggest free agent signing could be a player they already have in-house. Since Philly acquired him from Miami with a third-round pick, Jaelan Phillips has been a human bulldozer.

In 2025, the 26-year-old edge rusher ranked third in the league in QB hurries, had the 12th most pressures in the league, and the 4th most pressures on the Eagles despite joining the team halfway through the season.

Phillips is the best pass rusher available on the market, which means it’s going to cost a pretty penny to bring him back to South Philly. An extensive injury history could bring down Phillips’ value just enough for Roseman to resign him. But at his age and with his production, Phillips will be in high demand.

The Eagles are not only thin at edge rusher, but they lack the star power they’ve had in the past. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt benefitted immensley by playing across from Phillips. He is the rising tide that lifts all boats. Resigning the 26-year-old phenom would immediately make the offseason a success.

If they can’t bring back Phillips, I’d expect the Eagles to be in on Phillips former teammate in Miami, Bradley Chubb (who also played under Fangio).

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2. Expect to Lose More Free Agents Than We Sign

The downside of having an uber-talented team is eventually having to reward everyone with a contract commensurate with that talent. No team has the benefit of keeping everyone (even when your GM is the NFL’s version of the boogeyman). To avoid talent drain while prioritizing playing young homegrown players, Howie Roseman has leaned into the compensatory draft picks system, which rewards teams who lose more free agent value than they gain.

To do so, the Eagles have been willing to let highly productive players walk in free agency to sign bigger deals elsewhere. Last year, the Eagles let players like Milton Williams, Mekhi Becton, and Josh Sweat sign with other teams. While they lost talent, the Eagles are expected to receive 2026 draft compensation in return to the tune of a projected 3rd, 4th, and 5th round pick, according to Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski. Expect much of the same this year.

3. So Long Dallas

Tight end Dallas Goedert was a touchdown-scoring savant this year. Dallas broke the franchise record for touchdown catches by a tight end with 11 touchdowns this year, also good for the 2nd-most touchdown catches in the league, tied with players like Tee Higgins and Trey McBride.

At age 31, Goedert will most likely be chasing the last big payday of his career, one that the Eagles are unfortunately not primed to give him. As the top option in a thin free-agent tight end class, expect another contender to bring Goedert into the fold at a number similar to the amount of gold coins Scrooge McDuck dives into every morning before breakfast. Goedert’s fit in the new Sean Mannion offense would be smooth, but that unfortunately isn’t how this cookie is going to crumble.

For the Eagles, that means they’ll be scouring a surprisingly solid free agent market for tight end talent. The draft will be an option as well, but it typically takes time for tight end prospects to adjust to the league. I can see the Eagles bringing in a couple of tight ends. Expect the Eagles to be in on names like former Pittsburgh tight end Jonnu Smith, former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely, former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo, or former Browns tight end David Njoku.

Another option proposed by Zach Berman of The Athletic is potentially trading for Las Vegas backup tight end Michael Mayer, who’s been underutilized sitting behind world-destroying tight end Brock Bowers.

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4. Will Reed Jump (Blanken)Ship?

As one half of the Exciting Whites, Reed Blankenship has had immense value to the Eagles’ defense since joining the team as an undrafted free agent four years ago. He’s started in two Super Bowls and was a team captain last year. At 27, Blankenship has the potential to score a big contract in free agency.

Yet Reed’s value is hard to determine. It’s kind of like that Comfort Colors shirt from your local bar that you love, but you probably could only sell for $5. Reed is uniquely important to this Eagles defense, but it’s hard to tell how he could translate to a non-Fangio defense. He’s excellent in run defense and has come up with several clutch turnovers, but he also has his weaknesses.

The Cowboys (gross), who just hired Eagles secondary coach Christian Parker to be their defensive coordinator, feel like an obvious landing spot. But the free agent class of safeties is pretty solid. Reed is easily the 5th-best safety available. This is an unpopular opinion, but I could see a world where Blankenship tests the market and decides to come back to Philly on a reasonable deal. If he does decide to leave, I could see the Eagles bringing back Marcus Epps and being active in free agency to fill the hole next to rookie Andrew Mukuba, a promising young player but also one the Eagles don’t yet 100% trust.

5. Moving on from Nakobe Dean

Nakobe Dean had himself a year. The Eagles’ linebacker plays like a madman, the epitome of Vic Fangio’s tough and relentless defense. Dean had 4 sacks (the 4th most on the team), led the team in forced fumbles, and played so well that he kept first draft pick Jihaad Campbell on the bench.

Unfortunately, therein lies the issue. The Eagles drafted Jihaad Campbell in the first round last year to join a crowded linebacker room. Because of that, they appear ready to let Nakobe Dean walk. Seeing Nakobe leave is heartbreaking. He is the heart and soul of this defense in so many ways. But if he left to join a team like Dallas, it would be gut-wrenching.

Needing to allocate resources elsewhere, the Eagles can’t afford to keep Dean at a number that makes sense for him. Expect them to move on.

6. The Wide Receiver Conundrum

I still refuse to believe A.J. Brown will be traded. Not because I don’t think he will be, but because I am self-admittedly delusional. As Doechii once said, denial is a river.

Because of the Brown conundrum, the Birds could go from having their cup runneth over with wide receiver talent to their cup runnething very…umm…under.

It’s unclear if Roseman will trade A.J. Brown this season. I’ve written ad nauseam about Brown and my belief that the Eagles should keep him to see how he looks in Sean Mannion’s offense. We know the asking price from Philly is high, as they’re looking for a 1st round pick, a 2nd round pick, and a player in return. If Brown is traded, the Eagles will be left with Devonta Smith and a bunch of random dudes (sorry, Darius Cooper hive).

Third-string wide receiver Jahan Dotson is also a free agent. Since being acquired from Washington, the former first-round pick has been underutilized due to the fact that Jalen Hurts is allergic to throwing to #3 wide receivers. A loaded offense can’t feed all mouths. But if the Eagles trade Brown, it could be a sign that they’re willing to bring back Dotson as their #2 target getter.

I don’t think the Birds would be comfortable losing one or both without a contingency plan. I also don’t believe they’d spend a premium draft pick (top 100) on a wide receiver at this juncture of the team’s timeline, which means they’ll most likely explore free agency or the trade market to acquire proven wide receiver talent.

Free agent options could include Sean Mannion’s old college teammate Brandin Cooks in a field-stretching role, former Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who’s familiar with Mannion from their time in Green Bay, former Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk, or recently released Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney. Each player is flawed, but could be suitable in a limited role.

But make no mistake, losing A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert in one offseason would fundamentally alter this offense.

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7. Tanner McKee’s Market

The quarterback factory is at it again! The worst dude you know has been calling sports radio every Monday morning, saying that Tanner McKee should start for the Eagles. And while McKee might not be a franchise-altering quarterback prospect, he has untapped potential as a solid starter for an NFL team. The Eagles are expected to explore trading McKee to a team hungry for legitimate quarterback play.

McKee is the perfect bridge starter. A player who could keep a rebuilding team moderately competitive as they hunt for their quarterback of the future. A team like the Jets or the Dolphins (50% of the AFC East) comes to mind. McKee could also be a cheap flier for a team like Minnesota to take and see if he can be a human joystick for Kevin O’Connell. He may lack mobility and top-level physical traits, but he plays on time, has a quick release, and gets the ball where it needs to go when it needs to get there.

Unfortunately for McKee, Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, and Kirk Cousins will be entering the market, soon to be followed by Tua Tagovailoa. McKee’s demand could be suppressed as other players take valuable starting spots across the league.

We’ll see if the Standford Slingshot (trademark pending) can get a chance to show what he can do and get some valuable draft capital back for the Birds.

8. Depth along the trenches

The Eagles’ offensive line is in a period of transition, going from Jeff Stoutland’s scheme to the Shanahan-McVay style wide zone scheme under new offensive line coach Chris Kuper. Aside from that, half of the line (Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, and Lane Johnson) dealt with significant injuries last year that slowed them down.

As they look to recover this year, the Eagles need depth as backups Brett Toth and Fred Johnson hit free agency. I could see the Eagles taking fliers on offensive linemen who are suited for or familiar with this system, like Raiders lineman Dylan Parham or 49ers guard Spencer Burford.

On the defensive line, the Eagles weirdly felt the loss of backup lineman Thomas Booker IV, who they traded to the Raiders for cornerback (and man who can’t cover without committing pass interference) Jakorian Bennett. Depth behind Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis is slim. The Eagles could look at established veteran defensive tackles like Texans linemen Sheldon Rankins, or maybe a reunion with Javon Hargrave once he’s released from the Vikings. Expect both the offensive and defensive line to be a focal point in the draft as Philly gets back to basics by refilling the trenches with young, developmental talent.

9. New Adoree Jackson

Shout out to Adoree Jackson, who went from “very not great” to “pretty solid” in his time playing under Vic Fangio. Jackson is a free agent this year, but I think the Eagles will take a similar approach for the second cornerback spot across from Quinyon Mitchell this year. The benefit of having Mitchell and Cooper DeJean is the number of problems they solve for you.

The Eagles clearly are comfortable with a replacement-level player at that position who can be elevated by the talent around him. Maybe players like former Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome or former Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes fit the mold here.

For one week every year, Indianapolis becomes the center of the universe. NFL coaches and general managers come together to eat steak, make deals, and watch a bunch of college graduates work out. It’s like the Super Bowl for general managers, sometimes more than the actual Super Bowl.

The NFL Combine officially kicked off the 2026 offseason this week. It’s where prospects become highly touted, backroom conversations spark blockbuster trades, and agents pursue player prerogatives. The combine is where the action happens. It’s like watching that Fast and the Furious movie where Tyrese and Ludacris go to space. You’re not quite sure what’s happening, but you know a lot is going on.

As teams arrived in Indianapolis, coaches and general managers from across the league made themselves available to the media. For most teams, this is the first time their key decision-makers have spoken publicly since Seattle took home the Lombardi trophy three weeks ago. It’s an opportunity for fans to get a glimpse into the direction of their team before free agency kicks off player acquisition on March 11.

We look for general managers to tip their hand about draft plans, trade demands, and how they’ll use free agency. We look to learn about philosophies, player dynamics, and evolving schemes from coaches. We want to hear how we’ll be better next year and who we can expect to be on the team. The only issue is that most press conferences don’t tell you any of that.

When the mic is hot and the cameras are on, NFL GMs and coaches communicate in coachspeak. It’s a language of platitudes that requires context and reading between the lines to pull any strand of intention. The truth is flattened and smoothed over until the only purpose of words is to absorb silence, move air. Responses are so vague that they seem to serve no other purpose than to move on from a reporter’s question.

“We need to get better wide receivers” becomes “we love the guys in our room, but we’re always looking for opportunities to improve.” “Our offense struggled last year” becomes “we did some good things and some not so good things on that side of the ball.” Communicating the truth isn’t the goal.

For head coaches, coachspeak feels less tactical and more cultural. I’m convinced this is the only way that they know how to communicate outside of the locker room. But for GMs, the truth is a weapon to be wielded delicately. Intentions are meant to be hidden to maintain some semblance of control in dealing with agents, players, and rival teams. GMs choose words carefully. As Tom Wambsgans once said, information is “like a bottle of fine wine. You store it, you hoard it, you save it for a special occasion, and then you smash someone’s face in with it.”

Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni both took part in press conferences earlier in the week with their fair share of coachspeak. The Birds have made some significant changes in the past two months after a disappointing season. With trade rumors around A.J. Brown, free agents like Jaelan Phillips, Reed Blankenship, and Nakobe Dean, and a new offensive coordinator hire, we look to Howie and Nick to tell us where the Eagles are headed and what their intentions are come March and April.

So to help, allow me to be your coachspeak translator. It’s like if the NFL Network made a version of Rosetta Stone. We’ll dive into quotes from Howie and Nick and see if we can piece together all of the jargon to pull out some key thoughts about the Eagles’ intentions this offseason.

Howie Roseman

On Brandon Graham

“I mean, Brandon Graham is always welcome in Philadelphia. Obviously, when I think about what he’s done for us as a player, as a person, and then last year, even when he came back and the versatility he showed…just an all-time Eagles great and future Eagles Hall of Famer.”

TRANSLATION: The year is 2040. Howie Roseman hovers his flying car to Brandon Graham’s house. The Eagles are one year removed from their 5th straight Super Bowl under Coach Jason Kelce, but their star pass rusher, Fletcher Cox Jr., just went out for the season. Howie knocks on the door of an old friend and asks him to come back for one more ride. 51-year-old Brandon Graham unretires to become the oldest player to record a tackle.

On the pass rush group

“We usually take 7 or 8 guys to camp; we only have three on the roster right now. It’s a priority position for us, and we’ll try to manage our own guys, free agency, and the draft. It always starts up front for us in Philadelphia.”

TRANSLATION: We’ll be active in taking fliers on high upside free agent edge rushers, but expect us to get back to basics in the draft by taking advantage of a deep class of edge rushers to add some youth to our room. Also, Jaelan Phillips is a priority, and if we can’t afford him, it will break my heart.

On Jake Elliot

“Tremendously clutch, I have a lot of confidence in him as a player, as a kicker, as a person, as a captain on our team, and continue to believe in him as our place kicker.”

TRANSLATION: I’m not taking on a $6.5M dead cap hit to cut a kicker, so get it together Jake!

On hiring Sean Mannion

“For us, casting a wide net, being able to hear everyone’s vision, have them articulate to us…how it would fit our players, because it’s always about our players. With Sean, it was just the system of play he wanted to run, how he was gonna articulate it, how he was going to do that with all of our players.”

TRANSLATION: We wanted to find someone who could maximize Jalen Hurts and build a system that can help him grow while accentuating his strengths. Sean had a clear plan to do that within a system (inspired by the Shanahan-McVay offense) that we’ve always been intrigued by.

On the cornerbacks group

“When you look at Q and Coop leading that group, two All-Pro players, guys who want to be part of the Philadelphia Eagles for a long time. And Coop, he can play anything, he can play outside corner, he can play nickel, he can play at an All-Pro level anywhere. So having him here gives you some flexibility. So we’ll go into the offseason and look to add to that position. Adoree did a really nice job for us last year and got better over the course of the year, and just like any position, he’s a free agent, and we’ll just see how the offseason plays out.”

TRANSLATION: Thanks for the memories, Adoree Jackson! We’ll look at bringing in a cornerback through the draft and hedge our bets by filling the room with a few free agents on short-term deals. We know we have two elite corners at key positions (who we plan on paying to keep here for a while), so we are cool with having a replacement-level dude at the second spot in Fangio’s defense. We can’t take resources away from paying our young defensive stars.

On Cooper DeJean

“Elite player at the nickel position. When you have someone who’s elite at something…and you move them, he can be elite as an outside corner too, but when he’s able to affect the run game, he’s able to affect the pass game, the screen game from there, and you just see the difference that he makes in that role.”

TRANSLATION: I see all of your tweets about moving Cooper DeJean to the outside full-time, and we will not be doing that. He’s an elite slot cornerback, and we think he makes the biggest impact there. We will be paying him a lot of money soon, and I’d trust this 23-year-old with my life.

On trading players

“We have a value for every player on the roster….that doesn’t mean we’d trade them. But at the same time, we gotta be open to listen. That’s what a lot of this week is about, that’s what a lot of the first couple weeks of free agency is about. That doesn’t mean there will necessarily be action, but you have to be willing to listen. We’ll do that during the draft as well. And decide what’s best for the Philadelphia Eagles. At the end of the day, everything we do is about what’s best for the Philadelphia Eagles so that we can try to compete and hopefully win another championship.”

TRANSLATION: We’re not afraid to trade anyone (looking at you, A.J. Brown).

On Dallas Goedert

“Yeah, a tremendous player and person for the Philadelphia Eagles. I’m really glad we were able to figure it out and bring him back to Philadelphia this year and for this season and (he was) tremendously productive for us. Just a huge asset for our offense to have him on our football team...but we’ll certainly sit down with his agent here over the next couple days and have a conversation. Very appreciative of Dallas Goedert.”

TRANSLATION: If the price is right, we’d love to have Dallas back. He could be our Tucker Kraft. He fits everything we want a tight end to be. But if he’s chasing the paper, he may have to get that paycheck somewhere else. We’ll see what his market looks like.

On team building

“Yeah, I think you’ve got to go back to how you want to build the team, first and foremost. What are your priorities in building the team? Because when we have this many players coming up for second contracts on their rookie deals, it’s going to be hard for us to keep all of them. The good news is we have a compensatory system where we can get some draft picks back in the future for some of these guys who’ve meant so much to us.”

TRANSLATION: We’re okay losing Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, and Reed Blankenship because it means we’ll get compensatory picks in next year’s draft to bring in cheap talent. That’s how we keep the train running as players get more expensive. We’ll push to keep at least one of those guys, but we’re not going to stretch ourselves because we have a lot of young players we need to pay.

On Jalen Hurts

“This system, we think is going to be really good for him, as a lot of our other players. He’s always looking for a system of play. And we think we have that.”

TRANSLATION: Is the Shanahan-system what you want Jalen!? Are you not entertained?

On A.J. Brown

“I think that at the end of the day, there’s a lot of conversations in the offseason about players, on your team, on other teams. That’s really the job…But at the end of the day, again, we’re trying to get better. And it’s hard to do that if you’re just subtracting great players. We’ll do whatever’s in the best interest of our team to be better for this year and going forward, anything that puts us in a position that we think to potentially win another championship. So every decision will be made with that, no matter who the player is.”

TRANSLATION: We’re better off with A.J. Brown, but feel free to make us an offer we can’t refuse. We’re down to talk trade, but we won’t settle for less value to move on from A.J.

On the linebacker position

“I think obviously, we have a free agent at that position, and a guy that we drafted, a guy we think is a really good player, for sure, and unbelievable character. And so all those decisions here will be made in the next couple of weeks.”

TRANSLATION: We most likely won’t be resigning Nakobe Dean. It’s Jihaad Campbell time.

On Reed Blankenship

“Really proud of Reed. Undrafted free agent and played in two Super Bowls. Four years, four playoff appearances, was a captain this year for our team. A tremendous player, a tremendous person. And that’s how I feel about Reed.”

TRANSLATION: I love Reed, but I’m not in love with Reed. Would love him back if the price is right.

On Jaelan Phillips

“Well, you certainly see his fit with Coach Fangio and our defense, which a lot of times when you’re talking about free agency is a big part of free agency. How is this guy going to fit into our defense? So you see that there. He’s got tremendous character, tremendous work ethic.”

TRANSLATION: If Jaelan Phillips leaves, I will cry. He’s our priority free agent. Maybe we can get him at the right price due to injury history.

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Nick Sirianni

On the hiring process for offensive coordinator

“We don’t leave anything to chance. We’re going to go through our process and hey, how are you going to call this situation? How are you thinking about this situation? You can ask them game plan scenarios from games that they’ve been around. There’s a lot of different ways to do that.”

TRANSLATION: Throughout this process I would call Sean Mannion in the middle of the night and shout over the phone “WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON 3RD AND LONG WITH 2:32 LEFT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER?” I’d slip notes into his mail box that would say, “Draw me a game winning play and send it back to me before this message self destructs.” We are very thorough in our process.

On hiring Sean Mannion

“There’s a lot of steps to take place before we know exactly what version of this offense is going to be. But obviously, Sean comes from a family of coaches, and things that he’s done that we really respect, that we know are tough to defend. We know we’ve done a lot of good things here as well as far as some of the things that are hard to defend…but really it’s always important at the end of the day that we’re able to run the football and be able to do play action off of that.”

TRANSLATION: I want to see what’s up with this Shanahan system. Our running game is the focal point of our offense, and we want to build everything based on that foundation.

On Saquon Barkley

“My experience with great football players is you come in, and you’re like, hey, Saquon we’re going to run inside zone. And he’s going to be really good at it…guys that are great football players can fit into a lot of different offenses…he’s been highly productive in many of the schemes.”

TRANSLATION: I believe this offense revolves around Saquon Barkley first and foremost.

On what he looks for in tight ends

“I think it’s always important that tight ends are able to create mismatches in the pass game…and then being able to be effective in the run game. We’ve been in the top 10 or top 5 in rushing obviously in all the years, but this year. And it’s important that they’re highly involved in that and being able to block tough matchups with defensive ends, or linebackers, or whoever it may be.”

TRANSLATION: I still have not learned my lesson that tight ends shouldn’t be blocking defensive ends one-on-one.

On hiring Chris Kuper as offensive line coach

“As we talked to guys we were really impressed by Chris and the things that he’s done as a player, as a coach, and his knowledge on the game, his knowledge on a system, that some of the things that we’re going to do from that system, because there’s a lot of intricacies within that. And so, just excited about everything that he’ll bring.

TRANSLATION: Chris was hired because of his familiarity with this system, which is very different from how our offensive line has played up to this point.

On Brandon Graham coming back

“You always want to try to bring back as many guys as you possibly can, as far as having good football players, good people around. And so obviously, when you ask me this question, whether it be about Josh Sweat or whoever it may be, you always want your guys back…you don’t win as many games as we’ve won together and especially a guy like BG and say, no…. of course you want guys like that back.”

TRANSLATION: God, I miss Josh Sweat

On DeVonta Smith

“I think we saw DeVonta have a great year. And I think you just continue to see him play better and better. And I think that’s a tribute to who he is. Guys that are tough, that love football, that are smart football players, and they’re talented, have a tendency to reach their ceiling…you’re seeing him continue to get better. You’re seeing him continue to make plays that only he can make on the football field…excited about what he’ll look like in this new offense that we’ll have.”

TRANSLATION: DeVonta Smith is so good you won’t even miss A.J. Brown. Trust me, this guy is going to be even better in our new offense, and he’s just scratching the surface. And he doesn’t yell at me on the sidelines.

On the tush push

“I think there’s some things that teams did this year, they did a good job of being able to stop it. And we got to get back to being able to, we either have to get back to being able to be as dominant as we were at it, or we find new avenues to be able to convert on third down or in the redzone…we got to coach it better, we got to execute it better and looking forward to seeing where that goes in the future.”

TRANSLATION: No one is talking about the tush push this year. The league isn’t even trying to ban it because it’s less effective. We probably won’t use it as much as we have in the past, and will be a little more intentional with our use of it. In the meantime, we’ll explore other short yardage options.

Change is hard. It’s necessary to pave the long and grueling road towards the nirvana of excellence (memo to self: remember that for a LinkedIn post). But sometimes to change, you first need to crash out. And that’s exactly where the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves a month after being bounced from the playoffs by San Francisco’s scout team.

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The NFL naturally forces teams to evolve and the Eagles have embraced that evolution this offseason. They’ve swapped out most of their offensive coaching staff (including offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who’s been with the team since Obama’s second term) and replaced them with less experienced coaches with fresh ideas. Howie Roseman has key decisions to make on valuable free agents like Jaelan Phillips and Reed Blankenship. But most importantly, the Birds need to answer one question that’s been burning in the minds of the Philly faithful since the middle of last season: Will the Eagles trade A.J. Brown?

Words can’t begin to piece together how much A.J. Brown has meant to the city of Philadelphia since Roseman traded for him on draft night in 2022 (unfortunately, I have to try to find the words because your boy has newsletter to write). For years, we wandered through the desert with nothing but Nelson Agholors and Travis Fulghams to sustain us. T.O. gave us a glimpse of a better life. Alshon Jeffrey was our world. A good wide receiver means more in Philadelphia than you could ever know.

And A.J. has been no exception. He is the most talented Eagles wide receiver of all-time. Brown boasts the top two receiving-yard seasons in franchise history; he set an NFL record 125+ receiving yards in six consecutive games (topping Calvin Johnson’s record), and along with DeVonta Smith became the first wide receiver tandem in franchise history to both eclipse 1,000 yards in a season in 2022. He has been nothing short of a miracle in midnight green.

But things changed this season. Brown, who is known for publicly expressing his frustration when things aren’t going well, did a little more expressing. Philly’s uber-talented offense had a very unremarkable year under the guidance of a man whose name rhymes with “Devin Fatullo”. The vibes around the team shifted. And the rumors about the Eagles trading A.J. haven’t slowed down.

Brown’s demeanor has been a source of controversy in the City of Brotherly Love. A subsection of Philadelphia sports media and “long-time listeners, first-time callers” can have a real “you can’t quit because you’re fired” mentality when it comes to our athletes. They’re usually triggered when said athletes speak out about their team. We’re an emotional fan base who takes things personally. We want to be wanted.

Those insecurities can drive some people to be irrational. We get angry at A.J. Brown for being human. For expressing his frustrations with a toxic situation that we all know is toxic. For being frustrated that the forces outside of his control are indeed outside of his control.

There’s a lot around how we got here, although I don’t quite fully understand it myself. I wrote about Brown’s relationship with Jalen Hurts and how their inherent personalities can cause some conflict and misalignment. But recently, Hurts went out of his way to say he and A.J. are in a good place, which is notable because Hurts doesn’t go out of his way to say anything. There’s also Brown’s dust-up with Sirianni during the playoff game with the 49ers. But still, something doesn’t add up.

Trading a player like Brown would be unprecedented for Howie Roseman. Roseman took the league’s largest dead cap hit to ship Carson Wentz to the Colts, but that was in a move to get out of Wentz’s bad contract and the negative impact he had on the team. Roseman shipped out Haason Reddick in 2023 after an 11-sack season, but that was due to contract demands.

In terms of wide receivers and skill position players, the best comparison I could find was the Eagles releasing Alshon Jeffrey in 2021 at age 30 as part of a salary-cap overhaul. Roseman (like the rest of us in Philly) knows how hard it is to find talented playmakers. I’d expect nothing less from the man who drafted Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson.

I’m not here to question the validity of the A.J. Brown trade rumors. We’ve heard conflicting reports from folks like Dianna Russini, who insists trade conversations will continue, to Derrick Gunn, who insists A.J. will stay. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. But I do question the team’s intent.

If the Eagles intend to solidify themselves as a modern dynasty by appearing in their third Super Bowl in four years and winning their second in three years, is shipping out an all-world receiver really in their best interest?

As you can guess, I’m gonna say no. The argument around trading Brown comes down to three factors: trade value, on-the-field performance, and culture. So, Howie, if you’re listening, don’t hang up.

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Trade Value

At the Eagles end of the season press conference, alongside Nick Sirianni, Howie Roseman addressed the A.J. Brown question.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J. is a great player…He’s an important part of this team, of this organization. He cares about winning, he cares about his teammates, and I think when you’re a team like ours that is looking forward to an opportunity to compete for a championship, you just don’t get rid of guys like that.”

Roseman’s comments could be platitudes to drum up trade value, but he’s also very much right. As one of the league’s best wide receivers, Brown has immense value to a contending team looking to get over the hump. A team like…the one he’s already on. One with an ever-closing championship window with players who fit his timeline.

Philly’s skill position players are in their prime. Saquon Barkley is 29, Jalen Hurts will be 28 by the time the season starts, and DeVonta Smith is 27. The Eagles’ offensive line is slowly eroding due to a decline in health, talent, and a coaching change. They have the advantage of having an elite, young, and cheap defense that will only get more expensive in the years to come. Not to mention, the coordinator of that defense, and one of the greatest of all time, could retire after the season. The iron is scorching hot.

Financially, Brown is on a reasonable contract for a wide receiver of his stature. According to Over the Cap’s piece on moving on from A.J. Brown, trading him before June would incur a $48.9 million dead cap hit and a loss of $25.5 million in cap room, which is manageable for Roseman (who is a certified cap magician) but unfortunate for a team trying to win now. If the team trades Brown this summer, they still look at $22.09 million in dead money this year and $21.6 million in dead money in 2027. Either way, spending valuable cap space to not have one of the league’s best receivers on your team doesn’t feel like good business.

Trading Brown could bring back a solid compensation for the Birds, but would they be getting the best return they could for Brown after a down year? Or would running it back help rebuild any value that’s been lost?

A good starting point for compensation is last year’s D.K. Metcalf trade (Brown’s college teammate at Ole Miss). The Steelers traded a 2nd-round pick and a 7th rounder for Metcalf and a 6th-round pick.

Brown is more talented and decorated than Metcalf (who is a year younger). The Eagles have been on a hot streak with 2nd-round picks since 2020 (Jalen Hurts, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Cooper DeJean). But for a team in a championship window, it’s unlikely that a 2nd-round player would return the value that A.J. Brown provides the team now.

On-the-Field Performance

At his best, Brown is a top-5 wide receiver in the NFL. An all-world talent with a competitive mindset that matches his physical gifts.

But there is a question about how Brown’s game will mature. He’s 28 years old and in the prime of his career. A comp for how he might progress is his former teammate in Tennessee, Julio Jones. Jones was 3 inches taller and 6 lbs lighter than Brown, but they have similar styles of play.

Jones tapered off after his age 30 season, when he went from 1,394 yards in 2020 (in his age 30 season) to 771 yards in 2020 (in his age 31 season). Brown has also been relatively healthy aside from some hamstring issues, missing only 7 games in 4 seasons with the Eagles.

Offensively, Brown’s skillset has been underutilized since Shane Steichen left town. The Sirianni offense is static and uncomplicated. Brown’s route tree is as diverse as a Kid Rock concert. He got his helpings off of curls, slants, and go balls. But Brown is built to thrive as a yards-after-the-catch receiver. His game excels when he gets ball on the move. Under Shane Steichen in 2022, Brown was 6th in the league for yards after the catch by a wide receiver. Under Kevin Patullo, he slipped out of the top 25 entirely (womp womp).

The solution to Brown’s usage woes could come from first-time offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. As Bleeding Green Nation’s Jonny Page noted in his review of Mannion’s potential offensive principles:

Too often, the Eagles’ passing attack felt confined to a single approach against defenses. The result was an offense that lived on deep shots, improvisation, or talent alone…Green Bay, by contrast, generated explosive plays not only through downfield aggression but also through design that created yards after the catch and schemed receivers into open space.

That sounds like A.J. Brown’s entrance music. It would behoove the Birds to see how A.J. operates in Mannion’s scheme. One of the main elements that could elevate the Green Bay Packers offense (Mannion’s former team) is a certified bucket getter. A go-to wide receiver who’s capable ot elevating the offensive system and making up the difference when things go wrong. Now we have a chance to see what that looks like in South Philly.

Even Sean McVay (whose system Mannion spent time in) brought in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to take his offense to the next level. No system is above its talent. Mannion could be the cure for what ails A.J. and this struggling offense.

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Culture Fit

The blood pumping through the beating heart of this trade narrative is A.J. Brown’s impact on the team’s culture.

As football-loving folk, we like to characterize outspoken wide receivers or running backs as “divas.” Divas are self-important and temperamental. We have experience with that in Philly. We’re often visited by ghosts of Terrell Owens doing situps in his driveway.

And A.J. has had a tumultuous season, which includes but is not limited to:

• Tweeting “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.” after an ugly win over the Bucs

• Saying the offense was a “sh-t show” on a podcast with JankyRondo (a person I just learned is real)

• Saying “You can’t keep slapping a Band-Aid over that and expect to win late in the year and think you’re going to go to that at the end of the year,” after the Packers game

• Denying a meeting with Hurts and Barkley, even though the other two said they met

• Dropping 3 passes in a playoff game against San Francisco and topping it off by getting into a shouting match with Siriannin on the sideline

Now Brown did apologize for (most) of the above and a veteran wide receiver like him should understand the consequences of airing your grievances so publicly. But honestly, most of those comments were around an offense that we all knew was a train wreck. A.J. Brown voiced the frustrations we were all feeling, and he wasn’t the only one to do so. Lane Johnson shared similar sentiments. Multiple players spoke about needing to get on the same page.

Brown has long been the canary in the coal mine for this team. When a certain aspect of the offense is underperforming, he’ll speak about it (whether that’s right or wrong). Despite how outspoken he was last season, there’s no evidence that those comments were the main driver of dysfunction in the locker room. A.J.’s grievances seem to be a symptom of a team dysfunction rather than the cause of it.

And honestly, A.J. saying something kind of worked. After the JankyRondo twitch stream (a sentence someone couldn’t even comprehend like 10 years ago), Brown went from 38th in receiving yards, 40th in receptions, and 34th in targets to 7th, 6th, and 6th in those same metrics, respectively.

Brown is also beloved by his teammates. He’s a team captain seen shepherding players like Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. He has a close relationship with Barkley and DeVonta Smith. There are unknowns about his relationship with Hurts, his former (maybe current, maybe future?) best friend, but Jalen alluded to them being in a great place.

Here’s what Howie Roseman said about Brown on Bussin’ With the Boys right before the 2025 season:

“I think A.J. one incredible player…and the person he is, how he’s fit in, and the things that he’s done to fit into this community. Him as a teammate, being named captain here, I mean, incredibly proud to see that …having him and DeVonta and their relationship and seeing two guys who are selfless, they just want to win, and I think you see that. You know, if A.J. has a great game, DeVonta is the first one congratulating him. When DeVonta has a big game, A.J. is the first one congratulating him. So it’s a beautiful thing.”

Leading up to the Super Bowl, Brown shared his thoughts on Philly on Micah Parsons’ podcast.

“I’m excited for the season. I’m excited for what’s to come. Philly welcomed me with open arms...that’s home…I love the support, I love the accountability.”

The Eagles haven’t been shy about moving on from unhappy players in the past, but those have usually been tied to contract disputes or difficult locker room dynamics. Brown doesn’t seem to fit neatly into either category.

We penalize players for saying what we’re thinking, worried about how a locker room that we aren’t in will react, without knowing the dynamics between players. All evidence suggests that A.J., for all intents and purposes, is a good teammate. A captain with close relationships across the team.

I honestly believe that everything you need to know about A.J. Brown can be explained through this Instagram post he shared after the 2024 Super Bowl victory. He’s a dude in pursuit of personal greatness that he defines within his value to the success of his team. He’s obsessed with being the best.

The Defense Rests

The pursuit of change can be liberating. It can free us from old habits. But pursuing change can also make us impulsive. Babies get thrown out with bath water. Mistakes are made. Guns are jumped. It can cloud our judgment, all in an effort to rinse the bad taste out of our mouths.

The Eagles have a significantly better chance of making it to the big dance this year with A.J. Brown than without him. That’s all the more reason to run it back and see if a new offensive system can heal a fresh wound. In the meantime, I will be printing this out and taping it to the door of the Eagles’ practice facility.

There’s a certain trauma that comes with being a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s like being in a car crash and at the time thinking “you know what, this is what’s best for me in the long run,” only to look back years later and think “actually, that whole thing was kind of messed up.”

This season, the Sixers’ vibes have fluctuated between immaculate and unfortunate. We, as fans, are addicted to their potential. Yet historically, they set up shop at the intersection of promising and unserious.

For every 30+ point game from a resurgent Joel Embiid, there’s a Paul George PED suspension. For every transcendent VJ Edgecombe moment, there’s a Jared McCain trade. For every Tyrese Maxey All-Star performance, there’s a 30-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets. We believe in the Sixers more than anything. But sometimes it feels like a curse hangs over our heads.

In the My Worst Sports Take series, I interview some homies about controversial sports takes they have. This week, we revisit The Process, the Sixers’ original sin, and one of the foundational players at the heart of it, Jahlil Okafor. The place where the curse started. I chat with my friend Rob Ricketts about how he feels the Sixers ruined Okafor’s once promising career and the ramifications it has on the franchise to this day.

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Tell us about yourself and your take.

ROB: My name is Rob Ricketts, and my worst sports take is that Jahlil Okafor wasn’t a bust, but that the Sixers ruined him and the league changed on him.

How did the Sixers fail Jahlil Okafor?

ROB: I think that by not having proper veteran leadership or a strong executive office, they didn’t allow him to grow.

I feel like you’ve been a Jahlil defender for as long as…

ROB: Free Jah, man.

You’ve been saying free Jah since 2015.

ROB: Bro, since the 15-16 season, baby.

Do you feel like most people look back on him as a bust?

ROB: Oh, absolutely. I mean, he was a top-three pick. National champion at Duke. He was expected to really be the next big thing in the league. He had a kind of crazy impact in his first year, and after that, it was like it was over. He went from averaging 17 and 7 as a rookie to being pretty much out of the league in like two years. That jawn was crazy.

So he was drafted in 2015. Can you name the two players who went ahead of him?

ROB: Was that the year with Lonzo?

Nope. I think Lonzo was the Markelle Fultz draft.

ROB: Oh, okay, that was a draft with KAT.

Yep, KAT was number one. Two was D’Angelo Russell. Three was Jah. Four was Kristaps Porzingis. Five, who I remember wanting the Sixers to draft for some reason, was Mario Hezonja.

ROB: Oh, bro, you would have been a great GM, bro.

I would have been at least Bryan Colangelo level.

ROB: A draft and a stash, huh?

Alright, so that was a year after the Sixers drafted Joel Embiid. How’d you feel about them taking Jah?

ROB: I mean, I know that getting the third overall pick probably wasn’t ideal. During that time, it was all about trying to get that number one pick. That was like the big thing. But there was a lot of excitement around that third pick. I think Russell was like the next big thing. He was a point guard who kind of came out of nowhere at Ohio State. He had all the intangibles. But yeah, I think Jahlil was the next best player. They talked about the big hands, you know, palming the basketball made it look like an orange in his hand. So yeah, I was excited that he had a winning pedigree, because the Sixers didn’t have a lot of winning at the time.

At the time when they drafted him, I remember it was a big deal because they had three top-five picks who were centers on their roster in Nerlens Noel, Embiid, and then Okafor. How did you feel about the Sixers and Sam Hinkie collecting these high-profile centers?

ROB: I mean, that’s when you’re just like, what are these dudes doing? You had Noel, who was raw but super athletic. He’s gonna block shots, and he’s gonna be great in like five years. Then you got Embiid, and they’re like this dude could be like the next Olajuwan. Injury-prone, but everyone talked about how he was the most talented player in his draft. Then you had Okafor, who was like, he can come in, and he can just score right off the bat. So you got, like, three dudes.

But who is going to bring the ball up? Because at the time, the Sixers were trash. So you didn’t really have a lot of faith in the Sixers organization. The only thing they were talking about at the time was, like, you know, listen, we’re going to get the best player that’s available. It doesn’t matter if it’s another center. Like, they weren’t trying to build a team. They were just trying to collect assets, which at that time was, like, kind of crazy.

After you saw Jah play that first season, how did you feel about him?

ROB: I mean, it’s almost like when you see, like, Michael Carter-Williams, right? MCW was rookie of the year. In that first game, you see him play against the Heat, and you’re like, damn, he’s giving D-Wade, Bron, and Chris Bosh the business. That kind of gives you some hope as a fan. So you have Jahlil, who’s averaging 17 and 7. As a rookie, you just say, alright, this is a piece. I’m not really sure how he’s going to fit, but he will be a piece to kind of grow with.

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First game of his rookie season, he goes for 26 points and seven boards against Boston.

ROB: He was a beast.

He missed the last two months of the season. He played 53 games, and he scored over 20 points in almost half of those games, plus 11 double-doubles. In February that season, he had 22 and 17 against the Nets. He had 31 against the Mavs and 26 against the Magic. Can you describe his game and how you feel it fit in at that time?

ROB: During that time, he was literally like one of the last traditional big men. He was not known for shooting. He was literally known for being on the block and getting busy. Back to the basket like just old school. Traditional center swag. He had some growth opportunities in his game, but he had a very mature offensive game. He wasn’t a three-point shooter. But you normally didn’t want your centers taking threes at the time. And for me, when you’re talking about playoff basketball, you want a center that you can dump it down to and get a bucket. But we were right at the crossroads where it was that space and pace. If he was drafted in 2000, dude, he would have had a great career. He probably would have been a max player.

Yeah, I feel like timing’s everything. Because you’re right, the season before his rookie year, Golden State won its first championship with Steph. During his rookie year, that was when the Cavs came back and beat Golden State, and then Golden State won the next two. So it was very much like the game was getting away from a traditional center. If given the opportunity, how do you feel his career could have progressed?

ROB: The organization chose the best out of the three in Embiid. But that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t a role within the NBA for a guy like Okafor, right? Because he wasn’t a defensive anchor, but he was defensive enough. He was a big body in the lane. He was agile for the most part. And, you know, when it comes to offense, like he was elite. For me, it’s just a matter of allowing guys to show you what they can do. You give him a role, you get him around some veterans, you get him around some good leadership, and he’s going to be a good player.

So Okafor has this incredible rookie season, a lot of potential. I also forgot that he got into a street fight in Boston. Do you remember that?

ROB: Yeah, he punched a guy in the face or whatever in Boston.

Yeah. What happened after that? They were like 0-16, went to Boston. He got into a fight…

ROB: And that’s where the Sixers failed. It wasn’t even with just Okafor. It was Nerlens. Embiid. They were surrounded by all C-level players and rookies, with no veterans there. So there was no one there to help these guys manage the expectations of being professionals. There was no one there to help rally the troops or let a guy know, “This is not how the NBA works, bro. Like, you’re not going to win four games throughout the entire season normally. Keep your head young, fella. Keep working.” Like, there was nothing there.

And that was one of the problems with the Sixers, well into the Process. It was just a bunch of young guys trying to figure it out. You have this losing mentality throughout the organization, and you don’t have any veteran leadership there, or a will to want to win that rubs off. If you got any top player that comes in as probably a number one draft pick, these dudes probably only lost, like, seven games all throughout high school and college. And now they don’t win their first NBA game until December. Like, that’s crazy.

Do you see any parallels between him and what happened with Ben Simmons?

ROB: I mean, absolutely, bro. I really think the Sixers have done a little bit of a disservice to some of those star players, man. I mean, you look at even Embiid, you know. Being a professional is way different than just being good. And you hear all these old dudes talk about it now, like all the old dudes that have podcasts, that’s all they talk about. They’re like, “Yo, like being good in NBA is not just like going out and scoring 20 points.” And I think that’s where Okafor ran into issues because it’s like, if you’re averaging 17 points as a rookie and then the next year you’re not even playing. What does that say about you?

And what does that do to you mentally at the same time?

ROB: Because like, you know, the game is there, right? And if you have a veteran there, if you have a guy like, I don’t know, PJ Tucker or Kyle Lowry who’s on the bench now, it’s like, “Yo, young fella, you’re scoring 20 now, but the team is 6-47. So yeah, that’s great. But if you want to stay in this league, you need to learn how to play defense. You need to learn how to hit the mid-range or even expand the game up to a three.” And if you aren’t working on those things constantly, you’ll be out of the league.

Before the season even ends, is when Sam Hinke steps down. So like whatever plan dude had, it was out the window. Breakdown, what happens to the Sixers from there, and what happens to Jahlil Okafor?

ROB: From what I recall, Okafor was balling. But then, after that season, Embiid came back. And Embiid is nice. I remember hearing the buzz about Embiid. And I just remember everyone talking about, like, “Yo, he is busting ass in practice.” Like, he might be the greatest center ever.

This is before he’s ever played.

ROB: This is before he ever played. So at that point, you have Embiid, you have Nerlens, and you have Okafor all healthy going into Jahlil’s second season. It’s a little clunky. And I think they had a trade in place for Okafor, but the trade fell through.

Do you remember the rumors that came out that Danny Ainge was trying to trade two first-round picks for Jahlil?

ROB: I remember that. There were some decent deals on the table for Okafor. And at that time, he was in and out of the rotation. When he was playing, he was getting buckets. And then he just wouldn’t play the next, like, four or five games, which was crazy. It was just like, “Yo, what is going on?” It was the strangest thing because they were trying to shop him. And I remember Nerlens got dealt first. And you would think, all right, when Nerlens is dealt Embiid and Okafor, will be balling.

And then, like, Okafor still wasn’t playing. He was still on the bench. They were playing, like, Richaun Holmes and a few other dudes. It was the craziest thing ever. And I think by that time his value diminished, which is the Sixers’ special. Having an asset that could probably net you way more than you probably should. And then by the time you actually sell the asset, you trade him for two pieces of paper and some chewed-up bubble gum.

So Okafor was traded to the Nets halfway through the 2017-2018 season. He was traded with Nik Stauskas and a second-round pick for Trevor Booker.

ROB: Bro, that’s trash.

In 2017, Okafor said, “This is my third year in the NBA, and I know it’s a business. I don’t know if it’s fair or not, but in talking to other people in the NBA, talking to retired players, one thing I’ve heard them say is that what’s going on with me isn’t right, and they’ve never seen anything like this before.” Do you agree?

ROB: I remember that people weren’t really that concerned about Jahlil Okafor because Embiid was emerging at that time. So it was a weird time for Okafor. I remember that because again, I’m an Okafor fan. So I’m just like, “What is going on with my guy, man?” They were just like doing him dirty. It wasn’t cool because he was a young player. He had great skill. He could be of value to someone, and he could probably also return value to us, but we were just holding on to him. It was crazy.

Do you feel like the Hinkie stepping down and Colangelo taking over had something to do with that?

ROB: Of course, because I think Hinke had a different plan. By the time Embiid was drafted, we kind of had some picks. You should start to see some of the fruits of all the tanking. And then when Colangelo kind of came in, it was bad.

I’m going to read you another quote, okay?

ROB: From Okafor?

No, this is from a Twitter account that’s called @EnoughUnknownSources. From that infamous report on Bryan Colangelo from The Ringer.

ROB: Oh, this is the burner account.

There’s allegedly a failed trade between the Pelicans and the Sixers. This account tweeted:

“Nobody wants him…he asked the front office not to let the info out. Still, the front office is not leaking the truth to save face. Okafor abusing that. If the truth came out, Okafor would be the one looking bad.”

That was from one of Bryan Angelo’s burner accounts that he ended up blaming on his wife. Even though officials from the Pelicans said that there was never an official deal in place. Do you feel like at least a decent GM could have gotten value for this dude, or could have found a way to implement him into the team?

ROB: Absolutely. When you have talented players, you find a way to make things work. This is how it works. You can never have too much talent on your team. A good GM, a good coach, a good organization finds ways to make your talent work, or at least make the talent work for you. You keep playing them until you trade them, or you find a role for him. They could have done a million different things to get some decent equity in return. With a competent general manager, with competent coaching, with competent player development, with competent veteran leadership, Jahlil could have had a better career.

I kind of feel like the Process gave a little bit of inspiration for the Thunder’s rebuild, too. What do you think Sam Presti got right that the Sixers didn’t in the Process era?

ROB: They made a lot of really, really good decisions. One of the differences between the Thunder is that they remained competitive throughout their rebuild. They never rebuilt to the point where they didn’t think being competitive wasn’t important.

Why do you feel like that’s important?

ROB: Because you have to keep your edge, man. You don’t want people to have a loser mentality. Being in the city of Philadelphia is crazy because when you see a loser, you’re just like, oh, man. When you have a loser mentality, it’s hard to believe that you can become something more. But when you’re winning, you always just think that you’re a winner.

Yeah. You feel like winning is almost like a skill?

ROB: Winning is a mindset, bro. You look at even when Shai played with the Clippers. He played with the Thunder. It was still competitive. When they brought in Chris Paul, he was teaching Shai how to be scrappy and win. They were in the playoffs.

So, you know, it’s important. I think that was the biggest takeaway from those Process days. There was way too much losing. Brett Brown had a losing mentality. I’m not saying that he’s a loser, but he wasn’t winning any games bro.

That’s the quote of the interview. “I’m not saying Brett Brown’s a loser, but…”

ROB: Look at his head coaching record. He was getting paid for them to lose games and to be okay with losing games. It’s not that he was a bad coach or anything, but he wasn’t really given much to work with until much later on. And then by that point, he’s like…”I’ve been playing losing basketball for so long. Now you want me to play meaningful basketball?” It’s crazy.

I feel like Embiid didn’t really like hit the next level until he was surrounded with veterans, like J.J. and Jimmy Butler

ROB: Jimmy Butler was like the turning point for him because he was there, and he was like, “Whatever y’all were doing before that shit was losing mentality,” and you know it was bad because they literally kicked him out for it. He literally had to leave Philadelphia because he had seen what winning looks like, what good ownership looks like, and what NBA basketball looks like. And was like, “Whatever’s going on here is not what it was like in Minnesota. It wasn’t like this in Chicago. Like, Thibs didn’t do this. No other coaches do this. This is some bullshit.”

Alright, I have two more questions for you. First one, do you think, do you think the Process was successful? And do you think the Sixers learned from what happened to Jahlil Okafor?

ROB: No. Both answers.

No, to both.

ROB: The Process is not going to be successful unless they at least make it to a Conference Championship. Like, you tanked, you literally sacrificed years. You make it to the playoffs and have one really historic run, and that was when they lost to the Raptors in the conference semis. Every other playoff run has been underwhelming. I just don’t know if it was worth it. You collected multiple draft picks, and you literally derailed mad players’ careers.

This is giving me PTSD.

ROB: It was crazy, bro.

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On a cold February afternoon in 2018, Jason Kelce took to the podium to make his remarks donned in classic Philadelphia Mummers attire. A very drunk Kelce addressed a parkway packed with very drunk Eagles fans (myself included) to celebrate Philly’s first-ever Super Bowl victory. During Kelce’s five-minute speech, he shouted about his teammates until his voice strained:

“We were a bunch of underdogs. And you know what an underdog is? It’s a hungry dog. And Jeff Stoutland has had this in our building for five years — it’s a quote in the O-line room that has stood on the wall for the last five years — “Hungry dogs run faster.”

Those immortal words from Jeff Stoutland, echoed by a Bud Light-fueled Jason Kelce, were a rallying cry for the City of Brotherly Love. “Hungry dogs run faster,” spoke to our team and our city. It speaks to the hard-nosed, “do whatever it takes to win” mentality that drove the Eagles to the heights of success and another Lombardi Trophy at that.

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Eight Februarys later, legendary Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has decided to step away from the team after 13 seasons in Philadelphia. The longest-tenured offensive assistant coach in the NFL is moving on to his next chapter, whether that’s retirement or another team.

Jeff Stoutland is Philadelphia. He’s an offensive savant who said little in public but made an impact beyond words. The brotherhood that he cultivated among years of Eagles offensive linemen, alumni of “Stoutland University,” reflects the ideals of Philadelphia at its core. The gospel of Stoutland is rooted in a focus on the fundamentals, hard work, a no-bullshit attitude, and taking care of the man next to you through every battle, every trial, every tribulation. “I fear not the man who practices 10,000 kicks once. But I do fear the man who practices one kick 10,000 times,” Stoutland would say.

Philly is the only town in America where offensive linemen become stars. Strength in the trenches has defined the modern era of Philadelphia Eagles football, and that is primarily due to Jeff Stoutland’s ability to get the most out of his players. Coaches who can teach linemen the way Stoutland can are very few and extremely far between.

Year after year, the Birds could always rely on Stoutland to develop the offensive line into one of the league’s best. Not having to worry about an entire position group has immense benefits. A coach like that allows you to take chances on unproven players with high upside and focus premium team-building resources in other areas.

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Stoutland is room for error incarnate. He can mold clay into monuments like Michelangelo. He can turn a large flat-footed man into an All-Pro tackle. He’s one of a kind. A coach who’s nearly impossible to replace in his ability to teach technique and cultivate relationships with players, not just in his position group but across the team.

The only good thing Chip Kelly did for this city was bringing Jeff Stoutland into our lives. According to Zach Berman of The Athletic, Stoutland had a Pro Bowler in all 13 of his seasons as Eagles offensive line coach, and he’s had five players earn All-Pro honors, including Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, and Jason Peters. He oversaw offensive lines that paved the way for a historic 2024 season from Saquon Barkley, an All-Pro year from LeSean McCoy in 2013, and viable seasons from lower-level starters like Miles Sanders. His lines were monumental in Philadelphia’s two Super Bowl victories.

He transformed a 6’8” rugby player who never touched a football before into one of the league’s best left tackles in Jordan Mailata. He helped talented players like Brandon Brooks unlock their full potential. He developed an undersized 6th-round pick into the best center in the league in Jason Kelce. He was the only offensive line coach Lane Johnson has ever known, guiding a raw athlete into becoming one of the greatest right tackles in the history of the game. He rejuvenated the careers of players like Stefan Wisniewski, Mekhi Becton, and Fred Johnson, turning them from also-rans into Super Bowl winners.

Most importantly, Stoutland’s impact extended beyond the field. He helped Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson through unprecedented struggles with anxiety and depression. Always lending an ear to listen, standing by players’ sides when they needed someone to believe in them.

Look no further than how his former players speak about him. In Brandon Brooks’ retirement speech in 2022, he referred to Stoutland as “family” saying:

“I feel like it is rare to have a coach who is as impactful on the field as off…Through all my struggles and low moments, I could always count on a phone call from you, the topic never being about football, but about life and how much you could help.”

Jason Kelce echoed similar sentiments in his retirement speech, saying:

“No one has been more influential or meaningful to my success on the field in my career than Stout. I think one of the greatest things a human being can give another is belief. This world, life, it can be hard. It can challenge yourself to points of self doubt and that is a dangerous place to be…And in my darkest hours as a Philadelphian, Stout was the one who believed in me.”

Without Stoutland, the Eagles will be missing one of the league’s biggest cheat codes. After a down season for the offensive line and the running game as a whole, ESPN’s Tim McManus reported that Stoutland’s run game responsibilities were removed during the season in an effort to find a solution for a struggling rushing attack. In the article, McManus reports that “Nick Sirianni took on a more active role” later in the season and that Sirianni and “then-offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo began incorporating different run designs” to help jump-start the struggling run game. McManus also reports that:

“Stoutland was not consulted about the changes to what he felt was an appropriate degree, a league source said, to the point where he no longer desired the title of run game coordinator because he felt it no longer fit his job description.”

Reports say that Philadelphia tried to bring Stoutland back in a reduced capacity, but he decided to move on after feeling like his voice wasn’t being heard last year. And who can blame him? It’s hard to parse through the details. But what we can say is that the legacy of the failed Kevin Patullo promotion remains. Its cracks have caused fractures between the team and the best offensive line coach in the league (not to mention the fractures between the team and its star wide-out). Sirianni’s adherence to cronyism may have ripple effects beyond his control. Patullo may be gone, but the scars remain.

As painful as it is, moving on from Stoutland has a silver lining. It forces the Eagles to commit to a wholesale change. Unbinding from the past and giving Sean Mannion the brush to paint his own vision. To fully embrace a modernized offensive system.

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As for Sirianni, time will tell how this shakes out. For a coach who prides himself on culture and relationship buildin,g this feels like another instance of being unable to accurately navigate the dynamics within his own team and coaching staff when push comes to shove. Removing run game responsibilities from Stoutland makes sense in practice, but a coach who preaches culture like Sirianni should have the wherewithal to do so in a way that keeps his all-star coach on board with the mission. Change can be good. But whether or not that change is worth losing a generational offensive line coach remains to be seen.

There’s also the impact this may have on the relationship between the offensive line group and their head coach. Rumors have swirled about Lane Johnson considering retirement. Losing the surefire Hall-of-Fame tackle would be disastrous for Philly. Johnson was a vocal critic of the offense last year, saying they needed to try to be “less predictable” in comments to ESPN. How will Jordan Mailata, who referred to Stoutland as “like my father” respond along with Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and others?

Time will tell what becomes of the 2026 Eagles, but make no mistake that losing Jeff Stoutland is significant. His impact on this team and this city will be felt for generations. As Johnson said in an article he wrote for The Philadelphia Citizen, “Coach Stoutland likes to say that no man is an island, that we draw our strength from others.” That’s his legacy. A coach who helped those around him reach their full potential, on the field and off it. A coach who turned teammates into brothers. A coach who taught hungry dogs to run faster.

Real journalism is back. This is the kind of investigative reporting that is the bedrock of our institutions. Some people would say this is more significant than Watergate. It rivals the fall of the Berlin Wall. Walter Cronkite wishes he could.

In the week leading up to the Super Bowl, everyone is focused on one thing: what are we going to eat during the big game (well, two things if you count being stoked to see Bad Bunny, which everyone should be, or three things if you live in Seattle or New England, I guess).

Food is at the heart of the fan experience. You may not remember the final score of the Eagles game, but you definitely remember that cheesesteak you housed at halftime. You may have erased any memory of the Cleveland Browns’ season from your mind, but you remember that hot dog you had when they played the Steelers.

So I interviewed my friend and one of the best rankers in the business , to put together a definitive list of the greatest game day foods of all time. Allow this to be your resource as you’re compiling the snack table this weekend. May you rest your weary eyes and ignite stomachs across the living room. If all goes well, most of your guests will be happy and full by the time Bad Bunny performs TURiSTA.

The Contenders (with rationale from Henry)

• WINGS - “Should wings and boneless wings be considered together or separately? I think they should be separated personally.”

• POPCORN - “You don’t need to dip it in anything. It’s light, it’s fluffy.”

• SOFT PRETZEL - “I guarantee you if there are any Costco shoppers reading this, then they would know. There’s a soft pretzel combo at Costco that is just electric.”

• SLIDERS - “If you feel like you can eat three of them? Then it’s a slider. If you cannot eat three comfortably, then it’s probably a sandwich.”

• CHIPS AND DIP - “If you’re having friends over for a game and you need something else on the table, you grab chips and dip.”

• NACHOS - “I think nachos are a little bit difficult to serve. Like they can have either too much cheese on one or they’ll be soggy at the bottom.”

• SPARE RIBS - “The best tailgates, they got somebody who’s just, like, throwing the smoke.”

• TACOS - “They can do so many different things. You can do barbecue tacos. You can do shrimp tacos. You can carry the momentum of a different city through the tacos.”

• PIZZA - “At the house, you order a large pizza, you got everyone there. Beautiful.”

• PIGS IN A BLANKET - “The hot dog is a traditional game day food.”

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HONORABLE MENTION: SPARE RIBS

HENRY: So I’m going to honorable mention spare ribs. They just deserve a little bit more love. They don’t get the affection they need up here in the Northeast. They are delicious, they’re special, and every time you have them, you’re never disappointed. Even if you’re getting them from a chain like TGI Friday’s or something.

So this is really a gesture of love for spare ribs because they’re underappreciated, and you want to make sure that they know that they’re appreciated.

HENRY: This is for all my friends in the South who are like, we got to make sure we get the barbecue on here. Because, like, barbecue tailgate, that’s, like, that’s their whole thing.

#5 PIGS IN A BLANKET

We’re coming out swinging.

HENRY: They are so, so, so, so, so good. And here’s the thing. You can’t really mess them up. Plus, the hot dog is one of the quintessential American “meats.”

Yes, it’s a pastime.

HENRY: No one will tell you that they like hot dogs, but everyone loves pigs in a blanket, so riddle me that? It’s just like a great vessel for sauce as well, right, because the hot dog can carry a barbecue sauce but also a mustard. It’s rich but not too rich. You can pop a lot of them if you need. There’s a puff pastry on the outside, so you can pick it up, eat it, and not worry about your hands being too dirty.

There’s a cleanliness to it. So you’re drawn to the simplicity?

HENRY: I’m drawn to the simplicity. I’m also drawn to the flavor profile. At the end of the day, it’s about flavor. The salty, it’s not sweet, but it can be sweet with the right sauce. It’s like rich, it’s got some umami to it, which, you know, everyone says umami, no one knows what it means, but I kind of know what it means (maybe?). It’s just good. It’s just like a perfect savory thing to just like pop in real quick.

#4 SOFT PRETZEL

Listen, now I’m biased. I’m not a pretzel guy.

HENRY: You’re biased. You’re not a pretzel guy. So this is more of a you issue. But hear me out. You go to Auntie Anne’s, right? You bust out the mega pretzel bundle. You get a bunch of pretzel bites, whatever it is you need to get. Soft pretzels exist in almost like their own plane. They’re a snack, but they’re also a bread. Soft pretzels can fill many gaps for you. And the only place you will really be eating soft pretzels (unless you’re in Philly) is in a game day situation. And that’s why I feel like they really kind of stand out as a premier game day food outside of their utility in general.

I think it’s interesting. This also fits in line with your take on pigs in a blanket, with the cleanliness of enjoying a pretzel.

HENRY: There’s cleanliness when you are enjoying the pretzel.

Love an Auntie Anne’s cinnamon sugar pretzel. That shit slaps.

HENRY: I’m just throwing it out there, right like, again, simplicity and versatility. Pretzels can bring that.

I feel like the other great thing about a pretzel and a pigs in a blanket is that it’s a true snack. Like you’re not having it and feeling full after. It’s like I feel good, I could have more food or I couldn’t, you know, but you’re not going to feel terrible like you would if you devoured like a burrito, you know?

HENRY: For sure. And, like, yeah, this is, like, kind of my issue with, spoiler alert, pizza’s not going to be on my list, but one of my issues with pizza is that it’s too big. Like, you eat a slice of pizza, well, and it’s cheese, so, like, forget the lactose people, I guess. You eat a slice of pizza, and you’re like, okay, I can’t really eat much of everything else because I’m also drinking, possibly. You don’t want to be overtly full. And speaking as a man who’s in my 30s, obviously, I don’t have an iron stomach anymore. You just need those things that are smaller that you can pop a few of and be like, okay, I’m happy. I got my flavor. I got what I needed from this.

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#3 CHIPS AND DIP

This is a loaded category. It’s like the Philadelphia Eagles of categories, but sometimes can underperform much like the Philadelphia Eagles.

HENRY: This is very true. They play down to their competition or to whoever’s making them. Chips and dip are a powerhouse of a category because it carries many, many, many options. Buffalo chicken dip being one of them. Seven-layer burrito dip is another. You can go with a cheesy sausage dip. There are just so many. You can cook a dip. You can purchase a dip. Caramelized onion dip. There’s just a ton of different flavor profiles you can get from a dip. And if you’re doing an at-home party, this could really make or break your party.

If you had to name one chip dip combo, what would it be? I want the dip type and the chip type. I’m a journalist who asks hard-hitting questions.

HENRY: I’m going with tortilla chips and salsa because one, I am omitting nachos here. So it gets me some nachos back.

Wow teaser.

HENRY: Nachos are not going to be in the top two. Sometimes I just need something a little bit fresher because it’s not as heavy as everything else. I can eat a little bit more of it. Or I can sit there, I can kind of munch on it while something’s happening during the game. Whereas some of these things, I can eat during the first half or the first quarter, but I won’t touch them again for the rest of the evening.

#2 WINGS

HENRY: Wings can and should be number one in most cases. They are a perfect game-day food. Speaking of the versatility thing, they can be spicy. They can be sweet. It is chicken, so you’re getting some protein. They are messy, though. You got some people who don’t like flats, some people who don’t like drums. I’m naming all the negatives about chicken wings because there are so many positives about them. I don’t really need to get into all the positives about wings. We all know why we love wings. They’re incredible. They taste awesome. They are a little unsanitary. You got people sucking on a chicken wing and just throwing their bones on the plate, and the plate’s in front of you, and you’re like, okay.

And dare I say, that shit is gross.

HENRY: I don’t know. Imagine someone was eating a shrimp and had the shrimp tails just sitting on the plate in front of you. Fucking nasty. That’s a ding against wings. That’s the only real issue with them. But outside of those negatives, they are a perfect game-day food.

They are perfect. They’re also kind of an activity, too, which is kind of nice, too.

HENRY: It’s true. It’s like when you go to a crab bake or some shit like that, right? Part of the fun is picking apart the crab, cracking the shell, and eating it. That’s part of the fun with wings.

So let’s talk about bone-in versus boneless. I have a feeling that you’re a bone-in.

HENRY: You know exactly where I’m going.

Because I would say, and, you know, I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but I would say personally that boneless wings...are not wings. They’re chicken tenders. Your rebuttal.

HENRY: You said it, not me. Boneless wings are barely chicken tenders. They are glorified chicken nuggets with real meat. I like bone-in wings because I’m an adult, so I just enjoy eating a wing that is real chicken, real meat. They just take away from the fun. Yeah, they’re a little cleaner to eat, but like, who cares at that point? I just think it flies in the face of tradition.

Wait, you didn’t give me a flavor!

HENRY: I’ll go with a classic mild, not too spicy. If you want my actual pick, I prefer a buffalo dry rub. I’d rather not have the sauce. I’d rather have a dry rub on my wings.

Less mess.

HENRY: All the flavor, none of the mess. Sauce takes away from the crispiness of the wing too much. I want my wings to still be crispy, and I get that with a dry-rubbed wing. Outside of just keeping my hands clean, it also maintains the integrity of the crispness of the wing.

I love a barbecue, but like best case scenario, I’m doing a mix of barbecue and classic buffalo because I love dipping things in blue cheese.

HENRY: A barbacuffalo?

A Mark Barbacuffalo.

#1 SLIDERS

At what point does a slider become a normal sandwich?

HENRY: It depends on the diameter, right?

I’m not good at measurement, but I would say a slider is like 4 inches in diameter.

HENRY: I’m just going to agree with you because I, too, am not good at measurements. So when you say four inches, in diameter, I can’t even fathom how large that is. Is that, like, the size of, like, a Martin’s potato roll? Is that the size of a Ritz cracker? I have no clue. I feel like four sounds big. I’m going to go with three inches. Let the internet tell us that we’re wrong.

Wow. The internet says a slider is two to three inches. You’re right.

HENRY: All right, so here’s the thing with sliders. They can be an entree. They can also be a snack. You can make it many different ways. You can do a cheeseburger slider. You can do a pulled pork slider. You can use a King’s Hawaiian roll. You can use a regular plain old butter roll. You can use a dinner roll. Like, there are just so many different ways that you can go with a slider to make it the quintessential part of your meal at your party. You could serve them cold, you could serve them hot, right? And that allows for it to be the vessel that carries the entirety of your party. You’re not going to eat it at a stadium, but you could eat it at a stadium. You could carry that around. You could walk with it. You can eat it. And like, you’d be, you’d be a happy camper.

Why sliders and not a sandwich? Is a sandwich too much?

HENRY: A sandwich is too big, right? Like, so it’s a pizza issue, right? Like, if you eat a sandwich, then you’re pretty much full, right? Whereas if you eat three sliders, you’re probably full, but you won’t have to eat three. You can eat one and be happy. You can eat two and be happy. But if you’re eating like a full sandwich, like you committed to a sandwich.

What’s your number one slider?

HENRY: Oh, I’m going to go cheeseburger slider. I was going to go ham and cheese slider because I just feel like it’s classic. But I’m going to go cheeseburger slider.

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Kelly green smoke billows out of the Novacare Complex as church bells ring the tune of Fly Eagles Fly from Pennsport to Kensington. Eagles’ flags at half staff have been raised high. The search is over. The Philadelphia Eagles have chosen an offensive coordinator. It’s not a man named Jim Bob or an ex-head coach of the New York Giants that you talked yourself into after kicking back a few citywide specials to try and forget how the season ended.

Subscribe! Go Birds!

The new Prince Who Was Promised is none other than Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion. Mannion is a fast riser who’s been coaching for less time than House of the Dragon has been on air. If you bought a t-shirt in 2022, it’s officially older than Sean Mannion’s coaching career. But the 33-year-old has spent significant time learning from some of the NFL’s most dynamic and forward-thinking offensive minds. Last season, he guided Packers quarterbacks Jordan Love and Malik Willis to the best seasons of their respective careers.

The last time the Eagles hired a Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach to call plays, he became the winningest coach in franchise history and led us to five NFC Championship games. The last two times the Eagles had an ex-NFL quarterback calling plays, they won two Super Bowls (including former Packers backup quarterback Doug Pederson). Mannion’s trajectory echoes that of former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who went from Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback to quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator in the span of 3 years. It’s also similar to the career path of new Washington Commanders offensive coordinator David Blough, who ended his playing career in 2023.

Who is the Eagles’ new boy wonder? Will the fact that half of the city is named “Sean” make his job easier? Or will Dianna Russini report that some kids in New Jersey egged his house come November? Will the fact that he’s the first Eagles coach who’s younger than me give me an existential crisis (maybe!)? Most importantly, does Mannion have the sauce to get an all-star offense back on track and help Jalen Hurts unlock another part of his game?

Breaking Records at Oregon State

Mannion was a three-star recruit out of San Jose, California, when he enrolled at Oregon State in 2011. The Beavers, coached by the legendary Mike Riley, were transitioning away from the pro-style running back-centric system that produced NFL products like Steven Jackson, Yvenson Bernard, and Jacquizz Rodgers. Without star talent at running back, Riley opened up the offense, leaning on his young quarterback to operate a spread system.

Sean Mannion rose from 3rd string to the starting quarterback spot his freshman year and never let go. At Oregon State, Mannion operated Riley’s wide-open offense rooted in 5 wide receiver sets that featured future NFL wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Markus Wheaton. Mannion thrived in the offense, quickly becoming one of the best quarterbacks in college football.

“I think you start with productivity. He’s had quite a career here and he had a record-breaking year a year ago, so over a long period of time now — he’s started for three years, this is his fourth year starting — I think over a period of time he’s been very productive and I think he’s gotten better each year.” - Mike Riley on Sean Mannion to Oregon Live

In 2012, Mannion’s chemistry with Brandin Cooks led to Cooks breaking Pac-12 single-season records in receptions and yards, winning the Biletnikoff Award for the best wide receiver in college football. That same season, Mannion broke the Pac-12 record for passing yards.

Mannion left Oregon State as the Beavers’ all-time leader in career passing yards and touchdowns (passing Cleveland Browns “legend” and Oregon State alum Derek Anderson). He’s currently 19th all-time in the NCAA for career passing yards (just ahead of Phillip Rivers) and 10th in career completions (behind Kliff Kingsbury and Bo Nix).

From a Boy to a Man-uh-nion (NFL Career)

In 2015, Mannion was drafted in the third round by Jeff Fisher and the (then) St. Louis Rams to back up Nick Foles and Case Keenum. Two years later (after Jeff Fisher was fired), a young NFL head coach named Sean McVay kept Mannion on the roster as Jared Goff's backup. Also, for some reason, Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson said this on Colin Cowherd’s radio show The Herd after Goff struggled in his rookie year:

“For me, my guy that I would start the season with is Sean Mannion…I’ve been saying that since last year. Give him a shot. You drafted him. He was great at -- where’d he go to school? -- Oregon State, playing in a pro-style offense. He’s a big guy, got a great arm.”

Dickerson was incorrect. Mannion appeared in 14 games in his 9-year playing career for the Rams, Seahawks, and Vikings. Most (if not all) of his play was uninspiring. However, teams valued Mannion as a backup quarterback for the impact he had on preparing his starting quarterbacks for gameday. Through his career, Mannion was in the quarterbacks’ room with the likes of Nick Foles, Jared Goff, Case Keenum, Russell Wilson, and Kirk Cousins. As Minnesota Vikings’ blog The Viking Age put it:

“Although the former Oregon State standout was technically the backup quarterback to starter Kirk Cousins, his value in meetings and film studies was a huge part of what made Minnesota sign him back multiple times.”

Mannion spent his playing career learning from innovative offensive minds like Sean McVay, Klint Kubiak, Kevin Stefanski, and Kevin O’Connell. After 9 years, Mannion decided to hang ‘em up and quickly moved on to the next phase of his career.

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The Heir to the Green Bay Quarterback Room

Eight months ago, in a season-opening press conference, Sean Mannion touched on his player-to-coaching journey.

“For me as a player, I always knew that this would be the next step. So I was really attacking my playing career with this in the back of my mind of soaking up as much knowledge as I could to weaponize it for this new role I’m in now.”

Mannion’s dad, high school football coach John Mannion, had a feeling his son would be a coach. He told ESPN:

“It was something that interested him from a young age…It didn’t surprise me, as he was coming down the stretch of his playing days, that he reached out to people in coaching. He was very inquisitive about it and very much wanted to learn all he could to be prepared when the time came.”

During the 2024 NFC Championship Game, Mannion reached out to Matt LaFleur, Green Bay head coach and former offensive coordinator under Sean McVay during Mannion’s time with the Rams. After retiring earlier in the offseason, Mannion was preparing for an interview with the Chicago Bears and wanted to get LaFleur’s feedback on his presentation. LaFleur was so impressed by Mannion’s presentation that he invited him to interview with the Packers.

“He showed me what he was going to present, and I told him, ‘Wow, that’s pretty good, I think you should come up to Green Bay right when you’re done with that interview,” LaFleur said. “I’m surprised they let him out of the building.”

LaFleur and the Packers brought Mannion in as an offensive assistant working with quarterbacks under the tutelage of legendary quarterbacks coach Tom Clements. The 72-year-old Clements worked with Packers greats, like Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and now Jordan Love. Clements is known as a true quarterback whisperer, one of the greatest quarterbacks’ coaches of all-time.

Upon joining the Packers staff, Mannion was tasked with the development of Green Bay backup quarterback Malik Willis. Willis was a highly touted prospect out of Liberty College who flamed out with the Tennessee Titans and was looking to turn the page on his career as Jordan Love’s understudy. When Love missed two games early in the 2024 season due to an ACL sprain, Willis was tasked with guiding the ship. Willis came in and delivered two wins in two weeks, going 25/33 for 324 yards and two touchdowns.

“Great coaches always love the behind-the-scenes work...So you talk about a guy who was here until two in the morning every single night last year doing the drawings, that was him. But it wasn’t work to him. He was just in there doing his job to the best of his ability, just like he would as a backup.” - ” Packers’ passing game coordinator Jason Vrable told The Athletic.

In 2025, after Tom Clements decided to retire, the Packers landed on Mannion as his hand-picked successor.

“He’s got a bright future in this profession. He attacks it the same way I knew he would when he was a player. Just extreme ownership of everything, puts in the time and goes above and beyond the call of duty, which is exactly what you want from your assistant coaches.” - Matt LaFleur told A to Z Sports

In his one year succeeding Tom Clements as quarterbacks coach, Mannion guided Jordan Love to the best season of his career by EPA/Play and success rate. Love looked confident in his progressions and played a more controlled-brand of football that didn’t limit his big play hunting. Also in 2025, Malik Willis raised his free agent stock in the games that he filled in for Jordan Love due to injury. Mannion helped guide Willis to two solid games, including an 18/21 288-yard performance against Baltimore, where Willis threw for a touchdown and ran for two more.

“Super smart, great work ethic and a really good communicator with the guys…I think he’s a really good resource now that Tom’s gone, to just have another guy who’s played a lot of football in the NFL, has that experience … I think that’s always good, too, to get a new guy in the room just to have different ideas, have different ways of presenting things and he’s done a great job so far.” - Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich to The Athletic.

Offensive Influences

In his playing and young coaching career, Sean Mannion has had the benefit of being exposed to some of the best offensive minds in football.

• He started his playing career in the Sean McVay offense. McVay runs an evolution of the West Coast offense that relies on running multiple run and pass plays out of similar-looking formations.

• He backed up Kirk Cousins in Minnesota under Klint Kubiak, Kevin Stefanski, and Kevin O’Connell. The Kubiak and Stefanski offenses are defined by wide zone play-action. In the wide-zone offense, the goal is to stretch the defense horizontally by having offensine lineman move laterally at the snap. The Kubiak offense relies on under-center looks where play action involves getting the quarterback on the move through roll-outs and bootlegs.

• The Stefanski offense is similar, but it relies on more heavy personnel groupings (mostly two tight end sets) and hunting big plays through deep crossing routes.

• Kevin O’Connell’s system is defined by a high-volume passing game that stretches the defense vertically by putting receivers in space. It’s a West Coast scheme based on timing that’s about finding big plays through deep crossing routes, relying on play-action and bootlegs, and a variety of heavy formations on early downs and spread formations on later downs.

• Mannion started his coaching career under Matt LaFleur. LaFleur’s balanced offense is a version of the McVay system. It uses a lot of 12 personnel (two tight end sets), condensed formations to find big plays (even if they spread out players will often motion closer to the formation), and play-action or bootlegs to simplify quarterback reads. The rushing attack is a wide zone, stretch run game where they’d prefer to pull athletic offensive linemen. LaFleur also designs concepts to get wide receivers open down the field.

How Can Mannion Bring Back the Birds?

Mannion’s offensive influencers all have centered around schematic principles the Eagles lack. They all use purposeful pre-snap motion to reveal the defense’s intentions. Elements of the LaFleur offense could open up a struggling Eagles rushing attack and take advantage of Philadelphia’s athletic offensive linemen. Heavy use of play-action and multiple looks off individual formations could help Jalen find easy answers. Moving the pocket through bootlegs and roll-outs could increase the impact of Jalen’s rushing ability.

The staples of the O’Connell and Stefanski systems with deep crossers and LaFleur’s love for in-breakers could be heaven on earth for A.J. Brown, who does his best work when he gets the ball on the run and can make something happen after the catch.

Not for nothing, but the Eagles have had their best success when they’ve surrounded their quarterback with former NFL quarterbacks. It’s a unique way of seeing the game that strengthens their ability to teach and communicate the game.

“Between playing experience and all the things I was able to learn from the coaches I worked with throughout my playing career, I think that’s kind of my biggest asset in terms of bringing that to the QB room.” - Sean Mannion

The Eagles are also hoping that Mannion’s tutelage under Tom Clements can help Jalen Hurts develop his game. Mannion, like Clements, preaches footwork and fundamentals above all else. As Mannion said in that early-season presser eight months ago about his lessons from Clements:

“When the players got back we talked about expectations for our room. And one of the first bullet points was honest assessment…If we are avoiding talking about something or if we’re maybe getting stuck on one little thing in the whole grand scheme of things you just have to provide your honest assessment at all times.”

Jalen Hurts has had past success in the NFL under former quarterbacks like Doug Pederson, Brian Johnson, and Kellen Moore. The hope is that Mannion can continue to give Hurts an honest assessment of his game and push the quarterback to do the things he’s uncomfortable doing to open up the offense.

So was this a good hire?

After hiring Sean Mannion, Nick Sirianni said in a statement, “It was quickly apparent in meeting with Sean that he is a bright young coach with a tremendous future ahead of him in this league. I was impressed by his systematic views on offensive football and his strategic approach.”

The best offensive voices in the league will speak to Mannion’s coaching potential. NFL host Chase Senior said, “The Packers think he’s a future head coach. They love him.”

There is, however, a significant risk that comes with any coach who’s never called plays before. As we saw with Kevin Patullo, playcalling is a skill set that is developed over time. The pressure in Philadelphia is to win and win now. It’s an environment that does not cater to the development of a young coach.

But the Eagles aren’t afraid to be two years ahead on a promising young coach (see: Sirianni, Nick). By hiring former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard as the passing game coordinator and with insight from Sirianni, the Eagles are trying to give Mannion the support he needs to grow and grow quickly.

Only time will tell if Mannion has the goods. But with a variety of offensive influences that define the modern NFL, Mannion could have what it takes to usher in the next era of Philadelphia Eagles offensive football. That or I’ll be cursing at my TV by December.