It’s Christmas. The end of the year brings a time to reflect, react and look forward to what lies ahead. For the Philadelphia Eagles, this has been a season like no other. But if we were to receive a visit from the ghost of an Eagles past, present and future, what would we see?
A ghost of Eagles past:
The date was June 19th 2016. The Philadelphia Eagles had selected Carson Wentz as the future of their franchise, but had several other issues at hand as a knock-on effect. Sam Bradford would skip OTA’s, Fletcher Cox wanted a new contract and then came the post OTA Nelson Agholor strip-club incident. With a sub-par group of receivers, a new Head Coach and struggles implementing a culture, Doug Pederson endured more than most coaches do in their first year in the league.
Remember when the Redskins benched Donovan McNabb in 2010 against the Lions and reporters began asking Reid questions on McNabb’s “cardiovascular endurance”? How about when T.O dropped an extremity on Reid and was simply asked to leave Training camp before being suspended for a week back in 2005? Or failing that, there’s always the way in which he handled the Mike Vick and Kevin Kolb controversy? Doug Pederson takes after Andy Reid, his former mentor. His ability to wade the Eagles through a storm In which Chip Kelly would let rip the locker room to piece simply had to be admired.
One year later, no more strip clubs. No more distractions. No more players who simply haven’t ‘bought in’. No more ‘giving up on your head coach.’ There has been a complete culture change in Philadelphia…and while perhaps this isn’t the most prominent memory of years past, it’s played such a dramatic
A ghost of Christmas present:
All is not lost. Carson Wentz may have had an MVP campaign heartbreakingly ripped away, but the Eagles have earned a first-round bye and will look to secure a home field advantage with a win over the Raiders. There may be no better angle to view this season than right now. The Birds have lost so many key players that it’s almost difficult to remember them all.
Carson Wentz
Jordan Hicks
Jason Peters
Darren Sproles
Chris Maragos
Ronald Darby (missed 8 games)
All starters. All locker room leaders. Yet with every injury, with every setback, has come a resilient response from the unit. Many assumed that the knockout punch handed to the Eagles when Wentz went down would be the one to keep the Eagles pinned to the mat. However, Nick Foles not only led the team to a fourth quarter win over the Rams, but would throw four touchdown passes in his first game as a starter. There are many ways to view this season, but there can only be a sense of positivity and excitement when looking forward.
A ghost of Christmas future:
This is the scary part. The long-term success of this team rests on the edge of a knife…at least for now. A terrifying free agent period looms where it’s not just the names with an expired contract who will want to pin their futures in Philadelphia. Brandon Graham has had a phenomenal season this year and will be deserving of a payday the Eagles would be incredibly lucky to afford.
Nigel Bradham stands out as one key player among the 15 players who could be set to test free agency waters, while Patrick Robinson, Trey Burton and LeGarrette Blount are in the same boat. With just an estimated $4M in cap space, the Eagles have their work cut out if they are to find sustenance.
Backloading contracts only works so well and by 2019, the Eagles will have one of the lowest cap space leniencies in the NFL. Building through the draft has been a monumental success over the last two season’s, but Howie Roseman and co will now have to decide whether or not the team will plug holes with more veteran free agents, or trust the next generation to shine through.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
