Eagles Lose Key Front Office Voice as Dave Caldwell Heads to Florida
While the Eagles’ back-to-back losses in a five-day span have dominated headlines, there’s another departure in Philly that won’t show up in the standings-but could have long-term implications for the franchise.
Dave Caldwell, the Eagles’ senior personnel director and a trusted voice in the front office since 2021, is headed back to college football. The University of Florida announced Monday that it has hired Caldwell as its new general manager-a rising role in the college game amid the chaos of the transfer portal, NIL deals, and the expanded College Football Playoff.
For the Eagles, this is more than just a résumé line. Caldwell brought executive-level experience to Philadelphia, having served as the Jacksonville Jaguars' general manager from 2013 to 2020.
He was one of several former GMs that Howie Roseman brought into the fold to beef up the Eagles’ scouting and personnel brain trust. And by all accounts, he made a strong impact.
Caldwell himself admitted that his time in Philly was transformative. Speaking to reporters covering the Gators, he said his five years under Roseman were “eye-opening,” even going as far as to say he wished he had that experience before his eight-year stint in Jacksonville. He credited Roseman as a “great mentor” and emphasized how much he learned about evaluating player traits-something the Eagles have long prioritized in their scouting process.
Now, Caldwell heads to Gainesville, and Roseman has another hole to fill in a front office that’s already seen more exits than additions over the past year.
Roseman’s Front Office Faces More Turnover
This isn’t the first high-profile departure from the Eagles’ personnel department. Since last offseason, Philly has lost senior director of college scouting Anthony Patch and senior director of scouting Brandon Hunt-both of whom landed with the Raiders. That’s a lot of institutional knowledge walking out the door in a short span.
The Eagles were once known for having one of the league’s largest and most well-funded front offices, thanks in large part to owner Jeffrey Lurie’s willingness to invest in scouting. But that landscape has shifted. The staff has slimmed down, and the team took a more conservative approach this past offseason-moving off some veteran contracts and avoiding major spending in free agency.
Roseman did bring back Joe Douglas, another former Eagles exec who had spent the last several years as the Jets’ general manager. That move looks even more important now, as Douglas’ return could help stabilize the personnel department in the wake of Caldwell’s exit.
Still, Roseman’s offseason to-do list is growing. Beyond addressing the roster issues that have plagued the Eagles-especially along an offensive line that’s no longer the dominant force it once was-he’ll need to retool his front office. If the Eagles fall short of a deep playoff run, coaching changes could also be on the table, adding more complexity to an already pivotal offseason.
Kevin Patullo’s Home Vandalized After Loss
In a disturbing off-the-field development, Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo had his home vandalized over the weekend. According to a report from ESPN, multiple individuals threw eggs at Patullo’s New Jersey residence in the early hours of Saturday morning. Local police in Moorestown confirmed the objects were eggs and that an investigation is ongoing.
A video of the incident surfaced online, showing what appeared to be young individuals targeting the house. While no arrests have been made, the footage has drawn widespread criticism-not just for the act itself, but for the way it reflects on the fan base.
Let’s be clear: this kind of behavior has no place in sports. Patullo is in his first year as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator and play-caller, but he’s been with the team since 2021.
He played a key role in helping the Eagles reach two Super Bowls and win one, serving as passing game coordinator and associate head coach before his promotion. Whether fans are frustrated with the offense or not, vandalizing a coach’s home crosses a line that should never be approached.
Herbert Trending Toward Playing Monday Night vs. Eagles
As the Eagles prepare for a crucial Monday night showdown with the Chargers, all eyes are on Justin Herbert-and the early signs are promising for the Bolts.
Herbert, who fractured his left (non-throwing) hand in Sunday’s win over the Raiders, underwent surgery but is reportedly trending toward playing against Philadelphia. Former Chargers team doctor David Chao, who now analyzes NFL injuries online, said Herbert is “more secure for Monday night than he was this Sunday” thanks to the stabilization provided by plates and screws inserted during surgery.
In other words, don’t count him out.
The Chargers officially listed Herbert as “day to day” after surgery, with his Week 14 status to be determined later in the week. The first official injury report won’t drop until Thursday, but Herbert himself sounded optimistic after Sunday’s win, saying he’s “treating it as if I’m playing Monday.”
Herbert was injured in the first quarter against Las Vegas and briefly exited the game, giving way to backup Trey Lance. Lance ran four times for 4 yards and completed one of two passes for 9 yards before Herbert returned with a protective glove. Despite the injury, Herbert finished 15-of-20 for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, leading the Chargers to a 31-14 victory.
If Herbert can go, it’s a major boost for a Chargers team sitting at 8-4 and very much in the playoff hunt. If not, Lance would get the start-and the Eagles would face a very different challenge on Monday night.
Looking Ahead
For the Eagles, the road ahead is filled with questions-not just about the product on the field, but about the infrastructure behind it. Caldwell’s departure is another reminder that success in the NFL isn’t just built on rosters and game plans. It’s built behind the scenes, in war rooms and scouting meetings, by the people who identify and develop talent.
Howie Roseman has long been one of the league’s most aggressive and forward-thinking executives. But with key personnel leaving, a reshuffling staff, and a team trying to find its identity late in the season, this offseason could be one of the most important of his tenure.
And it starts now.