NFL Network’s Jeffri Chadiha likes what he’s seen from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason and gives five reasons why he believes they’re the NFL’s second-most improved team.
New Coordinators
Philadelphia paid a heavy price for losing Jonathan Gannon and Shane Steichen in 2023. After helping the team reach Super Bowl LVII, Gannon was named head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and Steichen left to take over the Indianapolis Colts.
Brian Johnson and Sean Desai (with help from Matt Patricia) failed miserably as replacements and were let go in favor of Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore. Unlike Desai, Fangio has 37 years of NFL coaching experience, including three as head coach of the Denver Broncos. Moore spent four years as the Cowboys offensive coordinator before taking the same job with the Chargers last year.
Had assistant coaches been Chadiha’s only criteria, Philadelphia would have a strong case for “most improved” team.
Saquon Barkley
Barkley may not be the running back that put up 2,028 total yards and 15 scores to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 but with 1,242 total yards in 2023 and 10 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons, Barkley should be a force behind the Eagles offensive line.
Bryce Huff
After posting 7.5 sacks in his first three seasons as a Jet, Huff had 10 despite playing on just 42% of the team’s snaps last year. He’ll have an even larger role in Philadelphia after the team traded Haason Reddick to the Jets. It may have taken a three-year, $51M contract for Huff but the Eagles got three years younger by swapping defensive ends.
C.J. Gardner Johnson
The 26-year-old safety returns to Philadelphia after one injury-filled season with the Lions. Johnson had a league-leading six interceptions for the team in 2022 despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney.
Philadelphia had the league’s top-rated secondary with Johnson that year. Without him, only Washington gave up more passing yards in 2023.
The draft
Count Chadiha among those impressed with what the Eagles did in April.
"Philadelphia also killed it in the draft once again," Chadiha wrote. "The squad needed more help for a woeful pass defense and ultimately landed two stellar defensive backs with its first two picks (Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean)."
After holding would-be receivers without a touchdown last year, Mitchell was the first cornerback taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. DeJean lasted until early in the second round where Philadelphia traded up to get him.
Chadiha points out Philadelphia still needs to figure out what led to their implosion in 2023 of course, but believes they’ve added enough talent to win another NFC East championship.
