The Eagles lost six of their final seven games in 2023, including a 32-9 defeat to the Buccaneers in Tampa. The fallout from the defeat and lack of consistency all season included both coordinators being replaced and head coach Nick Sirianni earning a spot on the NFL coaching hot seat despite leading Philadelphia to the playoffs in his first three seasons.
After an off-season spent retooling the roster and getting young across the board, the Eagles are among the Super Bowl favorites from the NFC, and with that comes a load of pressure.
With the team set to depart for Brazil on Wednesday, we’re looking at seven Birds under the most pressure.
Nick Sirianni
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 24: Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 24, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Philadelphia replaced both coordinators with guys with the potential and insight to be head coaches. Add in Bill Belchick’s looming presence, and Nick Sirianni has to do more than be the CEO of his team. The Eagles must avoid a slow start and an early exit in the playoffs, or Sirianni could be out of a job.
Jalen Hurts
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 24: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles smiles prior to the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on August 24, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Hurts has developed into an outstanding starting NFL quarterback. He’s also one of the seven highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL in one of the biggest sports media markets. Hurts has to play well, and his team has to avoid another collapse.
Cam Jurgens
Oct 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens (51) blocks Washington Commanders linebacker Cody Barton (57) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
It isn’t easy being a starting center in the NFL, but you add having to replace a legend and future Hall of Famer. Cam Jurgens is Kelce’s hand-picked successor, so the pressure to perform is real.
Saquon Barkley
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before the preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Nothing helps a quarterback regain his swagger like a talented, dual-threat running back who can be a home run threat on all three downs.
Barkley played six seasons with the Eagles’ NFC East rival. In 74 career games with New York, the 27-year-old rushed 1,201 times for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns. Barkley was also a weapon in the passing game, tallying 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He’ll now be expected to give Jalen Hurts and the Eagles a dynamic, three-down running back that should flourish in Kellen Moore’s offensive system while opening things up for A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert.
Jalen Carter
Aug 1, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) runs drills during a training camp practice at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles need Carter to be an All-Pro, and the pressure will rise after Fletcher Cox retired.
Jordan Davis
Aug 1, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis (90) runs drills during a training camp practice at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Eagles are stout against the run when the third-year defensive tackle is on the field. Davis needs a breakout season, and he needs to stay in shape.
Devin White
White, 26, spent the first five years of his career with the Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl and earning a Pro Bowl nod before getting benched and falling out of favor. A stout 2024 season in Philadelphia could get White a new contract while providing the Eagles with star power at the linebacker position.
Nakobe Dean
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the second quarter in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The third-round pick out of Georgia has to be healthy and impactful at his linebacker spot or risk moving on in 2025.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Gardner-Johnson departed Philadelphia for Detroit last spring after an inability to agree to a contract that eventually went to James Bradberry. The Eagles’ defense regressed tremendously in 2023 without Gardner-Johnson’s swagger and big-play ability.
With a pec injury, Gardner-Johnson missed most of the Lions’ run to the playoffs and couldn’t be as productive in Detroit’s system.
Meanwhile, an Eagles defense that generated 70 sacks in 2022 – 3rd-most in NFL history – failed to generate pressure, as Philadelphia edge rushers had 38 sacks in 2023. With Gardner-Johson gone, the Eagle’s defense allowed 27 plays of 25 yards or more in the last ten games – 7th-most in the league, according to Reuben Frank.
Gardner-Johnson is a ballhawk and big-play defender. The versatile defender has 12 interceptions in 58 career games, four sacks, 39 pass deflections, 20 tackles for loss, and 14 quarterback hits.
Gardner-Johnson can play safety or slot corner, which gives new Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio flexibility with his lineups. In 2024, look for Philadelphia’s play-caller to employ Gardner-Johnson more as a blitzer and pass rusher.
