BLOCKBUSTER: Eagles’ heartbreaking playoff loss for 2024 offseason.
Many placed on notice following the Eagles’ heartbreaking playoff loss.
It seemed the Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) would easily secure the NFC’s top seed by the end of November, and they might even make it to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season.
But as the offseason got underway, a late-season collapse that included defeats in five of the previous six games and a crushing 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card stage, prompted a shift.
Although many of his coaching staff members lost their jobs, head coach Nick Sirianni was able to keep his position. Kellen Moore, the offensive coordinator, and Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator, are two of the nine new coaches the Eagles are breaking in.
By this time next year, Sirianni might be searching for a new job if Philly exits the playoffs early once more in 2024. Undoubtedly, a lot is riding on the success of several Eagles players in the upcoming season. The team may be aggressive in adding playmakers on both sides of the ball during free agency and the draft to help extend their window for the Super Bowl.
QB Marcus Mariota; WRs Olamide Zaccheaus and Quez Watkins; TEs D’Andre Swift, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny Jason Kelce at center; Iosua Opeta and Jack Driscoll as originals
Protection: DE Justin Evans, safety; LBs Zach Cunningham, Shaq Leonard, Shaun Bradley, and Nicholas Morrow; DT Fletcher Cox
Special teams: Braden Mann, punter
Prognosis: The majority of Philadelphia’s important upcoming free agents play defense. Together, Graham and Cox totaled 79 pressures, 51 hurries, 15 quarterback hits, and six sacks, making them crucial members of the team’s front seven. Cox’s return is anticipated by the squad, but considering Graham’s advanced age (35), he might be cut. The Eagles’ two second- and third-leading tacklers were Morrow and Cunningham, respectively. Given that Morrow is the younger of the two (28)
Swift finished in the top 20 in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,263 yards) and rushed for a career-high 1,049 yards (fifth in the league) in his first season with the Eagles. Swift will probably demand a significant rise from the $1.77M he made in 2023, considering his breakthrough year. Philly should bring back Swift for the upcoming season if his contract isn’t too expensive.
First-team needs (in order of importance): CB, LB, edge-rusher, WR, IOL With the 22nd overall pick, the Eagles have a number of options. It makes a lot of sense to add a muscular, strong linebacker like N.C. State’s Payton Wilson or Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to handle the middle of the defense. Additionally, it wouldn’t be shocking if Philly tried to bolster its secondary by adding a young player like Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama or Ennis Rakestraw of Missouri.
A receiver could be a dark-horse pick. Between now and the draft, there have been reports that A.J. Brown would be dealt; however, the wide receiver refuted such claims on Friday. However, I wouldn’t rule out the Eagles if he were dealt. Quinyon Mitchell, center-backer, Toledo; Ennis Rakestraw, center-backer, Missouri; Kool-Aid McKinstry, center-backer, Alabama; Jeremiah Trotter, linebacker, Clemson; Edgerrin Cooper, linebacker, Texas A&M; Payton Wilson, linebacker, N.C. State; Laiatu Latu, edge, UCLA; Chop Robinson, edge, Penn State; Bralen Trice, edge, Washington; Brian Thomas Jr., wide receiver, LSU; Troy Franklin, wide receiver, Oregon; Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver, Texas; Amarius Mims, outfielder, Georgia; Graham Barton, OT/OG, Duke; Troy Fautanu, OT/OG, Washington; Jackson Powers-Johnson, center, Oregon
