A sense of impending doom is hanging over Philadelphia. At least, that is the prevailing sentiment following Lane Johnson’s sudden departure from the game and the transaction that sent Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to the Ravens.
Just two seasons after celebrating their second Super Bowl victory, Philadelphia supporters undoubtedly envisioned a follow-up akin to Rocky IV. Instead, it seems they are destined to endure the football version of Rocky V for the remainder of this 2026 campaign.
Indeed, things could truly degenerate to that level for the Philly faithful over the final 13 matchups of the year.
Looking at these recent developments, one can only assume that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is initiating a complete teardown. Franchises with title aspirations do not ship off Pro Bowl-caliber athletes in the middle of October to acquire future draft assets. It really is that straightforward.
For those seeking additional proof, observe how the front office is preparing for the long term. Come 2028, Philadelphia is currently on track to possess a pair of first-round selections along with two second-round picks, the latter of which was secured through the Jurgens deal.
While the organization lays the groundwork for down the road, what are the implications for the current roster? If the answer isn’t obvious by now, it is highly discouraging.
To external observers, the entire organization appears to require a comprehensive overhaul from top to bottom. On the gridiron, this squad is merely a shadow of the powerhouse that overwhelmed the reigning back-to-back champion Chiefs in the title game two seasons prior, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Both Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley have taken steps backward, the frontline blocking unit is completely disorganized, and the restructured group of pass-catchers has failed to cover up the void left by AJ Brown.
Beyond purely tactical issues, a deeper problem seems to be plaguing this roster. The competitive fire that propelled them to a championship in 2024 has seemingly vanished. Consider their Week 3 matchup with Chicago, a contest where Philadelphia was heavily favored against a Bears team starting 38-year-old Case Keenum, who had not started a game in three seasons.
In the middle of the second period, Hurts was violently flattened by linebacker D’Marco Jackson, drawing a well-deserved flag for unnecessary roughness. Although the penalty was called on Jackson, the psychological blow had already landed.
That violent collision, coupled with how the team reacted, exposed the true character of this Philadelphia roster. Normally, when a starting quarterback is hit in such a manner, teammates react fiercely. On this occasion, however, DeVonta Smith was virtually the lone player who seemed genuinely angered by the play.
The reaction during subsequent plays was even more concerning. Rather than turning up their aggression, the team allowed themselves to be dominated on both the offensive and defensive lines. The Eagles offered no resistance, passively enduring one physical setback after another. In some fictional universe, Clubber Lang and Ivan Drago were likely looking on with approval.
That passive display on that particular night points to a systemic cultural issue within the locker room. One cannot help but scrutinize the team’s guidance from within, beginning with head coach Nick Sirianni.
Similar to Doug Pederson before him, Sirianni guided the franchise to ultimate glory. However, Pederson’s voice eventually lost its impact on the roster, and one must wonder if Sirianni is facing a comparable disconnect. Managing an NFL team is a monumental task under normal circumstances, but it becomes immensely more difficult when the fan base is demanding your termination.
Philadelphia parted ways with Pederson three years following his Super Bowl triumph. His dismissal concluded a miserable 4-11-1 campaign which wrapped up, quite ironically, with the coaching staff and front office facing allegations of intentional losing. Back then, the chances of hosting another championship parade in the near future felt just as far-fetched as Rocky Balboa putting on the gloves again at sixty years old.
As fate would have it, Rocky did return to the ring at 60, and Philadelphia managed to secure another title a mere four seasons after that abysmal 2020 year. Consequently, Roseman’s track record of swift reconstruction should offer comfort to the fan base as they prepare for what seems to be the onset of a new transition phase. In the interim, supporters might be better off spending their weekends enjoying classic boxing movies or watching reruns of past championship glories.
