The Philadelphia Eagles’ season came to a screeching halt in the Wild Card round, falling 23-19 to the San Francisco 49ers in a game that felt like the closing chapter of a once-promising campaign. A team that entered the postseason as six-point home favorites couldn’t get it done when it mattered most, and now, the questions surrounding this franchise are stacking up quickly.
Philly came into the year looking to build on last season’s Super Bowl appearance - the kind of foundation teams dream of when trying to construct a dynasty. But instead of taking the next step, the Eagles stumbled, exiting the playoffs earlier than anyone in the organization - or the fanbase - expected.
And while the city was still reeling from the loss, some off-field chatter has stirred up even more frustration. According to analyst Steve Maltepes, known in local circles as "The Philly Godfather," a number of Eagles players were reportedly seen partying at a local strip club after the playoff defeat. Maltepes shared the claim during an appearance on the “JAKIN Sports” show, saying his son spotted several players “popping bottles” and celebrating as if they had just punched their ticket to the Super Bowl - not been bounced from it.
Now, let’s be clear: NFL players are human. How they process a loss - especially one that ends their season - isn’t always going to be uniform.
But when a team underperforms and emotions are raw, optics matter. And for a fanbase as passionate and invested as Philadelphia’s, hearing about players out celebrating after a home playoff loss is going to hit a nerve.
On the field, the Eagles’ issues weren’t just about one game. Despite winning the NFC East, their offense never quite found its rhythm down the stretch, and frustrations reportedly began to bubble up inside the locker room.
That tension may have played a role in the team’s recent decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. The move suggests the front office isn’t taking the early exit lightly, and changes could be coming as they look to retool for 2026.
Head coach Nick Sirianni, meanwhile, kept it classy in the aftermath of the loss. After the game, he had a quick exchange with 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, offering a simple but telling message: “Good game.
Go win it all, alright.” It’s a sign of respect from one competitor to another - and perhaps an acknowledgment that San Francisco is built to go the distance.
The 49ers, who’ve come close in recent years but haven’t sealed the deal, will take on the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round. As for the Eagles, their offseason starts now - and it’s shaping up to be a critical one. Between potential locker room unrest, coaching changes, and looming roster decisions, the road back to contention is anything but guaranteed.
For a team that not long ago looked like the class of the NFC, the Eagles are suddenly facing more questions than answers.