Howie Roseman is a general manager that has been given an abnormally long leash as a top executive for one front office. Constant retooling and reshuffling of the coaching staff has previously led to fans and analysts questioning the effectiveness of Roseman and his ability to locate top talent. Yet every time it appears that Roseman’s job may be in danger, the eccentric face of the front office evolves and becomes a different executive.
It happened after Andy Reid, it happened after Chip Kelly, and it’s happening now after Doug Pederson. His latest example of evolution has been quite the work of art.
After winning the Super Bowl in the 2017-18 season, Howie Roseman gave contracts to older players and extensions for home-grown players that may not have deserved it. The product of always kicking the can down the road was a horrific blend of poorly scouted talent and older players that were hurt before the season began.
But after the firing of Doug Pederson, Howie Roseman evolved. A mix of sure-fire scouted talent, solid coaching, and efficient free agent additions have helped lead the Eagles to one of the most complete rosters in football.
Howie Roseman has grown substantially as a GM
It had been a common occurrence that Howie Roseman would give large leashes to players the team drafted, even though the player wasn’t producing anywhere close to what should be expected.
That changed rather quickly after Wednesday. Instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole with first-round pick Jalen Reagor, and Davion Taylor, Roseman acted in the best interest of the franchise.
Reagor was traded to Minnesota, and Taylor was released. The Eagles sent a message on Wednesday that was far more than just an exciting turn after the trade for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. The team clearly no longer cares where you were drafted on the roster: if the production isn’t there, your time in Philadelphia will be short.
The Youth Movement
For the better part of the last five years, the Eagles have relied on old but experienced talent. 29-year old Alshon Jeffery was brought in along with 30+ year olds like Ryan Kerrigan, Mike Wallace, or Andrew Sendejo.
That is no longer the case. Haason Reddick (27) combines with A.J Brown, Gardner-Johnson, and even James Bradberry to lower the average age of the Eagles to the 7th youngest roster in football.
It’s a major contrast to how the Eagles have been built in years passed. The Eagles trading for young, experienced, and solid talent allows them to remain flexible with their draft, and cap options.
The future of the Eagles is bright thanks to the youth movement that has clearly taken hold.
If it ain’t broke!
Howie Roseman has clearly evolved over the last five years. But there are some skills that Roseman has always had as a general manager. His cap manipulation has been a work of art to keep and extend young talents like AJ Brown, Avonte Maddox, and Jordan Mailata.
His ability to shrewdly negotiate is revered among NFL circles. Getting more out of the Jalen Reagor trade than the Cowboys got for Amari Cooper was incredible. Trading for a top defensive back like Gardner-Johnson for minimal draft capital was a miracle.
Howie Roseman has struggled at times during the draft and is one of the least trustworthy general managers in sports, but it is clear that he does a lot of things right when it comes to building a consistent winner. He may make errors and misjudgements, but what sets him apart is his ability to fix them and put his ego to the side.
His strategies aren’t always bulletproof, but he knows fully well that he can dig himself out of some unenviable situations, such as that of Carson Wentz’s downfall.
The future might not be all sunshine and rainbows, but there should be a sense of security in the fact that even on the dark days, Roseman ensures the sun still shines.
Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire
