The Eagles had a key shakeup within their roster this offseason. After the emotionally delivered announcement of Jason Kelce’s retirement, followed by Fletcher Cox calling it a career, and what is likely Brandon Graham’s last season, the last man standing from the original core four will be Lane Johnson.
Do the Eagles have another group of guys on the roster that could play ten-plus years together, and how rare is that?
How Rare it is
Playing a decade or more for one team is pretty rare in today’s NFL, having four players stay together to achieve that happens once in a blue moon. It hardly exists.
Last season only 21 players in the NFL had 10 years of experience with only one team. The Eagles had four of them. They were the only team with four. Not surprisingly, all 4 will be Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famers, and at least two could be NFL Hall of Famers. More importantly for Eagles’ fans, all 4 are Super Bowl Champions.
Former Eagles General Manager, Joe Banner, stated that in addition to being the best individually, they share the desire to be a part of a team that is the best. Their selflessness and influence on the culture will live on for years. They have passed down what it is to be a Philadelphia Eagles, and have taught the younger players “The Eagle Way”
“There’s a very fundamental thing they have in common, in addition to being talented players. That’s the reason they have been on the team as long as they have and why they are not just good players but people that have elevated the whole roster.”
The Four represented the Eagle’s core value of building through the trenches. All four are linemen, two on defense, and two on offense. Their longevity is one of the larger reasons they invest so heavily in the lines. Their ability to have longer careers, coupled with the bonds and success that the continuity of playing together year in and year out brings is invaluable and one hundred percent intentional and by design.
It has been a core belief since the days of Andy Reid, and it has played a large role in the team’s success over the last 2 decades.
Eagles Offense
The Eagles currently have four linemen aged 27 or younger on the offensive side of the ball who have already been together for two years. In 2024 Jordan Mailata (year 7), Landon Dickerson (year 4), and Cam Jurgens (year 3) will be playing their third season together on the line and are most likely three of the next players who could form a new Core Four. If Tyler Steen (year 2) takes over for Cam at right guard, the offensive line has the potential for its own four players to play ten-plus years together.
Eagles Defense
The defensive side of the ball boasts four players who already had experience playing together in college before arriving in Philadelphia. The upcoming season will be their second playing together in the NFL. Jordan Davis (year 3), Jalen Carter (year 2), Nolan Smith (year 2), and Kelee Ringo (year 2) all have a chance to play a decade together.
Josh Sweat, heading into his seventh season, is not likely to play with the others for a decade to achieve the joint service time.
What the future holds
The next Core Four does not have to come from the trenches, though it likely will include them. A few others on the team could find themselves in the discussion.
Jordan Davis, Jalen Cater, Nolan Smith, Kelee Ringo, Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, and Landon Dickerson give the Eagles ten players with a chance to be a part of a new Core Four. (Jake Elliott & AJ Brown would have been on the list had they been drafted by the Eagles)
Due to how the Eagles build their rosters, they have a better chance than any other team in the league to duplicate their success of having another four players they have drafted to play 10+ seasons together. Time will tell if the Eagles can duplicate that rare feat again, but the groundwork has been laid. New core players like Jalen Hurts have soaked in all of their knowledge.
“They’re definitely guys we can lean on their experience. Experience is the biggest teacher. Having those guys around is definitely beneficial.”
Who do you believe will be the next core four?
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AP Photo/Matt Slocum
