Well That Stunk, So What’s Next for the Eagles?

After being on a high the past couple of months, beating bad teams and making a surprise run to the playoffs, the Eagles season came crashing and burning against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While every realistic Eagles fan did not expect the team to win in Tampa, they at least expected them to be competitive. That did not happen. Instead what happened is that every wart and flaw we saw in the first half of the season was exposed. Bad coaching, not running enough, Jalen Hurts not making plays, not targeting our best receivers, drops, penalties. Every aspect of the Eagles performance today was poor and a splash of reality.

After a two month break from legitimate teams, we once again question whether or not we have the long term quarterback and head coach. Against the Bucs Jalen Hurts’ weaknesses were exposed to the point where maybe the organization will consider using their draft capitol to either move up and draft a quarterback or acquire an established veteran. They may even have a quarterback competition between Hurts and Gardner Minshew.

When it comes to receiving they only have Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith to rely on with the occasional play from Quez Watkins and Kenneth Gainwell. They have another receiver who believes he can return punts but I forget his name and wish him well on his future endeavors. The defense wasn’t good at all outside of the few 3rd down sacks on Tom Brady where Ryan Kerrigan finally made his presence known. This game was a callback to the ugly games that made everyone want Jonathan Gannon fired.

Now starts a huge offseason for the Eagles with 3 first round picks. Their future depends heavenly on the picks whether they keep them and draft players or use them to draft an established player. And the front office HAS to get the right players with the capitol as Howie Roseman’s career and legacy heavily depends on them. This playoff game in Tampa proves the Birds have a long way to go before becoming legitimate contenders again.

Despite the ugly ending, this was still a good season overall that exceeded expectations following a disastrous 2020 season. Now it’s up to the players and organization to make this season as a building block to a brighter future, rather than have it go down in history as a season of false hope.