Can Bryce Huff Turn It Around?
Bryce Huff’s journey with the Eagles has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but there might still be hope for him to become a functional contributor next year. Despite his struggle to adapt to Vic Fangio’s scheme, Huff showed promise before his wrist injury. He managed to record 2.5 sacks in his last six games, even playing through some of those games while hurt. Pro Football Focus gave him a 68.3 grade, ranking him 44th among 116 edge rushers with at least 250 snaps. While not stellar, these numbers suggest he has the potential to improve. With the likely retirement of Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat possibly moving on to another team, the Eagles need Huff to step up and justify his three-year, $51 million contract. It’s a tall order, but given his recent hints of progress, it’s not entirely out of the question. Whether this optimism is well-founded or mere delusion remains to be seen.
Unplayed Draft Picks: A Rare Occurrence
The Eagles have had a remarkably consistent track record with their draft picks in recent years, with all 40 players drafted from 2020 to 2024 having played at least one game for the team. A few, like Casey Toohill, Prince Tega Wanogho, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, and JaCoby Stevens, only had brief stints, but they all saw the field. The last Eagles draft pick who never played an NFL game was quarterback Clayton Thorson, a 5th-round choice in 2020. Looking further back, Matt Patchan, a 3rd-round pick from Miami in 1988, was the last player drafted in the first four rounds who never played in the NFL. His son, also named Matt, was signed by the Bucs after playing at Boston College, and he too never played in the NFL. It’s a curious coincidence and speaks to the challenges some players face in making the leap from college to the pros, even with a strong bloodline.
The Uncertainty of Play Calling
Predicting the success of a play caller is a tricky business. Some, like Chip Kelly, were expected to excel but fell short, while others, like Doug Pederson, surprised everyone with their prowess. Nick Sirianni’s early struggles in play calling were evident, but Shane Steichen’s ability to understand and counter defensive strategies made him an exceptional play caller in the second half of 2021 and 2022. Now, the focus is on Kevin Patullo, who has a sharp offensive mind and a strong relationship with Coach Sirianni and the offensive team. With seven years of working together, there’s reason to be optimistic about Patullo’s play-calling abilities. However, the true test will come on game day, where the pressure and unpredictability of live action can either validate these expectations or reveal weaknesses.
Jason Peters: A Hall of Fame Future?
Jason Peters’ decision to retire after 20 years in the NFL, nine Pro Bowls, and six 1st- or 2nd-team all-pro selections marks the end of an illustrious career. Peters is all but guaranteed a place in the Hall of Fame, but it might take a while due to the new voting rules that limit the number of inductees each year. Starting as an undrafted practice squad tight end, Peters transformed into one of the best left tackles of his generation. His selection to the 2010-2019 Team of the Decade is a significant feather in his cap. Eligible for the Hall in 2029, Peters will face stiff competition from other greats like Jason Kelce, Aaron Donald, Philip Rivers, and Julio Jones. However, given his record and unique backstory, he should eventually earn his place, though it might not be immediate.
The Eagles’ Tight End Draft Success
The Eagles have a storied history of drafting successful tight ends, a trend that extends beyond the current regime. Over the past 35 years, they’ve selected five tight ends in the first three rounds: Keith Jackson (13th overall in 1988), Jason Dunn (2nd round in 1996), L.J. Smith (2nd round in 2003), Zach Ertz (2nd round in 2013), and Dallas Goedert (2nd round in 2018). Each of these players made significant contributions, with Jackson setting an NFL rookie record for catches, Dunn becoming an elite blocker, Smith having a solid career with 2,500 yards and 19 touchdowns, Ertz ranking seventh in NFL history with 579 catches, and Goedert holding the 8th-most postseason catches among tight ends. With Goedert turning 30 and his contract set to end in 2025, the Eagles are likely to add another talented tight end in the upcoming draft, continuing their tradition of finding quality players at this position.
Postseason Scoring and Athletic Feats
The Eagles’ recent postseason performance has been nothing short of spectacular, scoring a combined 95 points in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl. The last time the team achieved such a feat in a two-game stretch during the regular season was in 1950, when they dominated the Cardinals and Rams. The only other team to match this in the postseason was the 1991 Buffalo Bills. Moving to Jalen Hurts’ recent achievements, he has completed 70 percent of his passes in five postseason games, joining an elite group that includes Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Troy Aikman, and Josh Allen. His career postseason completion percentage of 66.8 is also among the best in NFL history. On a lighter note, the team’s athletes have excelled in other areas too. James Loftin, a standout wide receiver, holds the best career long jump mark among Eagles players at 27-0, achieved in 1978. Ron Johnson, another wide receiver from the 1980s, comes in second with a 25-7 ½ jump in 1979. These records highlight the diverse talents within the Eagles organization, both on and off the field.
