As the season has come to a close, the Eagles will now be taking a week off to rest their bodies and possibly reflect on what was an incredible season. One of the key factors to this season was the approach that Eagles GM Howie Roseman took during the offseason. Here’s a recap as to why Howie Roseman deserves the be the NFL’s Executive of the Year.
While everyone else in the football world saw this team as nothing more than a rebuilding project, Roseman saw a solid foundation that needed some minor additions to make it stronger. Most of the media had believed that the Eagles should have moved on from Jalen Hurts and made use of their two first-round picks.
Howie Roseman had other ideas.
Roseman doubled down on the team’s commitment to Jalen Hurts although the team had been in many rumors involving Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson. Ultimately, none of those players wanted to come to Philadelphia which “forced” the Eagles to zero in on Jalen Hurts. At least those were the rumors.
Instead of allowing there to be truth to the rumors, Howie Roseman built this team the only way he knows how, from the trenches. The Eagles signed an OLB and fierce pass rusher in Haason Reddick who end up leading the team in sacks with 16 and forced fumbles with 5 by the end of the season.
They then brought in LB Kyzir White who was a safety turned linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers in his first four years in the league. White had a breakout season for the Chargers before free agency and it carried over to his first season in Philadelphia. The Eagles then signed WR Zach Pascal, WR Devon Allen, and DT Renell Wren to help add more depth.
Right off the bat, Howie Roseman was determined to build a contender by sprinkling in some necessary weapons. Another lethal weapon would come later on when the Giants cut CB James Bradberry who decided to sign a one-year deal with the Eagles shortly after. Bradberry had a career year as the number two cornerback in the defense as he played like a lockdown number one corner.
The biggest moves came in the draft. On a night when Eagles fans had high hopes of the team adding a necessary weapon for both the offense and the defense. Earlier in the offseason, Howie Roseman pulled off a trade where he sent the Saints the 16th pick, 19th pick, and 194th pick of the 2022 NFL Draft in exchange for the 18th pick, 101st pick (3rd round), 237th pick (7th round), a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.
The Eagles would later on use some of that ammo to trade up for DT Jordan Davis. He would go on to make a huge impact on the team’s run defense although his injury caused them to limit him down the stretch.
And that wouldn’t be the last splash of the night for the Eagles. The next move was a franchise-altering trade that would help lead this team to the next level. Howie Roseman somehow convinced the Titans to send WR A.J. Brown to Philadelphia for the 18th overall and 101st overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Brown would then agree to a contract extension with the Eagles for the next four years at the value of $100 million. He would go on to break the Eagles’ franchise record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,494 yards.
The last two moves by Howie Roseman were unique ones. One can right before the season started and the other came at the trade deadline but only one has truly paid off so far. Roseman pulled off another big trade as he called the Saints again and sent them a 2024 fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 seventh-round pick.
CJGJ would go on to record six interceptions and tie for the most in the league. He provide great coverage for Philly downfield and the Eagles’ defense looked a bit vulnerable without him in the lineup.
The other trade was for Bears defensive end Robert Quinn in exchange for a 2023 fourth-round pick. Quinn hasn’t produced much but the theory is that his knee was a bit banged up before the move which has led to a lack of production.
All in all, Howie Roseman built the most complete team in the NFL. From free agents to draft picks and even via trade, the Eagles GM had a season unlike any other and has done all he can to help bring another Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia.
Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire
