2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 11-6, Loss to Tampa Bay Bucs in NFC Wild Card Round (32-9)

It was a shocking collapse for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. The Eagles started 10-1 after an overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills in Week 12. Philadelphia would go onto get run over by the San Francisco 49ers and this began a stretch where the team lost five out of six to end the regular season. It did not get much better as Philadelphia was eliminated by the Bucs 32-9. There are high hopes for Philadelphia once again this season but the bitter taste of last season sticks around.

2024 Philadelphia Eagles Season Preview

Offense

Key Additions: RB Saquon Barkley, WR DeVonte Parker, WR Parris Campbell, OG Matt Hennessy, QB Kenny Pickett

Key Losses: C Jason Kelce, RB D’Andre Swift, RB Rashaad Penny, OG Sua Opeta, WR Olamide Zaccheaus

It was an unexpected chain of events when Jalen Hurts turned into the franchise quarterback that the Eagles were hoping for. With Hurts locked up, the Eagles wanted to make sure that the team around him remains in a good spot.

The first step was to extend both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on the outside. Dallas Goedert is also in the prime of his career. This gives Philadelphia one of the best skill position units in the NFL. To make it better, the Eagles upgraded in a big way at the running back position.

Swift came to Philadelphia and impressed on a one-year deal to bring his stock way up. He was able to cash in during free agency and the Eagles were prepared to invest in the position further. Saquon Barkley is back in the state of Pennsylvania after playing his college ball at Penn State. The New York Giants did not want to pay Barkley and he remained in the NFC East with a Super Bowl contender.

Barkley will now run behind one of the best offensive lines in football. The major change will be at the center position. Jason Kelce announced his retirement and this left a major void in the middle of the line. Cam Jurgens has been waiting in the wings and will now be the starting center. He will play with two of the tackles in the league.

Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata are among the best in the NFL at their position. Tyler Steen, a third-round pick in 2023, will likely be slotted at right guard with Jurgens moving to center.

The offense for the Eagles is strong on paper. Of course, this comes down to how good of a coach Nick Sirianni is. The jury is still out.

Defense

Key Additions: OLB Bryce Huff, LB Devin White, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB Quinyon Mitchell, CB Cooper DeJean

Key Losses: DE Haason Reddick, DT Fletcher Cox, LB Shaq Leonard, S Kevin Byard, S Justin Evans, LB Zach Cunningham, LB Nicholas Morrow

The Eagles’ defense left much to be desired last season. This was a thin secondary that could not cover anyone and a front seven that regressed. The front office brought in Vic Fangio to take over defensive coordinator and lead the charge in 2024.

This was the first of many moves on the defensive side of the ball. In the center of the defense, Devin White signed in free agency. He will start next to Nakobe Dean, former Georgia star who is best when he is rushing the quarterback.

The secondary was a major issue last season. Philadelphia addressed this in the draft by taking both Mitchell and DeJean in the first two rounds. Both will likely play a big role this season. Mitchell will compete for a starting spot opposite Darius Slay with James Bradberry. As for DeJean, he is well-suited for the slot. At the safety position, it will be Reed Blankenship taking his spot next to Gardner-Johnson.

Schedule

Week 1: vs. Green Bay Packers – Friday Night Football in Sao Paulo

Week 2: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 3: at New Orleans Saints

Week 4: at Tampa Bay Bucs

Week 5: BYE WEEK

Week 6: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 7: at New York Giants

Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 9: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 11: vs. Washington Commanders

Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 13: at Baltimore Ravens

Week 14: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 16: at Washington Commanders

Week 17: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 18: vs. New York Giants

Record Prediction: 11-6