With the 2025 NFL season in the books, the chase for the 2026 Lombardi Trophy is officially underway. And while the Seattle Seahawks currently sit atop the NFL mountain, the rest of the league is already plotting ways to knock them off.
One team that shouldn't be counted out? The Philadelphia Eagles.
Yes, their 2025 campaign ended with a thud - a one-and-done playoff exit at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers - but let’s not forget who they were just a few months earlier. This is the same team that, dating back to their Super Bowl-winning 2024 season, won 20 of 21 games at one point.
That kind of dominance doesn’t just vanish overnight. And while the ending was far from storybook, the Eagles still boast one of the deepest and most experienced rosters in the league.
Philadelphia’s Championship Window Is Still Open
This is a team built for postseason football. The core remains largely intact heading into 2026 - a group that’s been through the battles and knows what it takes to win in January and February. From the trenches to the skill positions, the Eagles have a well-rounded 53-man roster that stacks up with any contender.
They’re not without flaws, of course. Injuries and inconsistency derailed their momentum late in the 2025 season.
But with GM Howie Roseman at the controls, there’s every reason to believe this roster will get the offseason attention it needs. Roseman has a track record of identifying holes and aggressively patching them - whether through the draft, free agency, or savvy trades.
Expect Philadelphia to retool, not rebuild.
Aging Stars and Offensive Questions Loom
One of the biggest storylines heading into 2026 is the state of the Eagles’ offense. Saquon Barkley, the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year, is heading into his ninth NFL season and nearing that dreaded age-30 mark for running backs.
He showed signs of wear in 2025, but context matters - the offensive line was banged up, and the holes weren’t there like they used to be. If the line can stay healthy, there’s still a chance for a Barkley resurgence.
Then there’s Jalen Hurts. The franchise quarterback has already proven he can lead this team to a Super Bowl, but 2025 raised some questions.
Has he hit his ceiling? Or was the offense simply too predictable under former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo?
That’s the bet the Eagles are making with the hiring of Sean Mannion. The former NFL quarterback steps into the OC role tasked with breathing new life into a unit that stalled too often last season.
If Mannion can unlock a more dynamic version of Hurts, Philadelphia’s ceiling climbs considerably.
A Team Built for the Long Haul
Under head coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles have been consistent contenders - two Super Bowl appearances and three Wild Card exits in the last five years. It’s been an all-or-nothing run, and 2026 figures to be no different. The expectations in Philly are sky-high, and with good reason.
This is still a team that knows how to win. They’ve got depth, experience, and a front office that’s among the sharpest in the league. The NFC is no cakewalk, especially with Seattle riding high and San Francisco still a force, but the Eagles have the tools to make another deep run.
Don’t let the way last season ended fool you - Philadelphia isn’t going anywhere. With a healthy roster, a reimagined offense, and a chip on their shoulder, the Eagles could very well be one of the biggest threats to Seattle’s crown in 2026.