Super Bowl LX Sends a Clear Message to the Eagles: Defense Still Wins Championships
The final score may have read Seahawks 29, Patriots 13, but for the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LX felt like a gut punch from the sidelines. No, they weren’t in the game-but watching Seattle’s defense dismantle New England served as a loud, unmistakable reminder of what it takes to win in today’s NFL. If Philly wants to get back to football’s biggest stage, the blueprint was right there on display.
Seattle’s defense didn’t just show up-they dominated. A shutout through three quarters.
Six sacks. Three takeaways.
It was a clinic in physicality, discipline, and execution. And for Eagles fans, it was a flashback to the kind of defensive dominance they themselves showcased in 2024.
The problem? That version of the Eagles defense didn’t fully show up in 2025-and it cost them.
The Drop-Off Was Real-And Fixable
Let’s not pretend the Eagles were bad on defense this past season. They weren’t.
In fact, they finished 13th in total defense and fifth in points allowed. But when you compare that to their 2024 campaign-No. 1 in total defense, No. 2 in points allowed-it’s clear the unit took a step back.
And in a league where small margins separate contenders from champions, that step back was the difference.
So where does Philly go from here?
Priority No. 1: Lock Down Jaelan Phillips
Start with the edge. Jaelan Phillips was a force this season.
His 73 pressures ranked ninth in the league, and his 57 hurries were good for fifth. Add in 11 quarterback hits and five sacks, and you’ve got a disruptor who consistently impacted games-even when he wasn’t getting home.
Phillips is hitting free agency, and he won’t come cheap. The expectation is somewhere in the ballpark of $17 million per year.
But if you’re the Eagles, you find a way to make it work. Players who can tilt the field like Phillips don’t grow on trees.
Reinforce the Secondary
Next up: the back end. Safety Reed Blankenship should be a priority re-signing.
He’s been a steady presence in the secondary and brings versatility and toughness that this defense thrives on. Then there’s linebacker Nakobe Dean.
He’s flashed potential, but the Eagles will need to weigh his price tag carefully. If the number makes sense, bringing him back adds continuity and upside to the middle of the defense.
But perhaps the biggest hole to address? Cornerback.
Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean look like long-term building blocks, but the CB2 spot was a revolving door last season. Adoree' Jackson and Kelee Ringo couldn’t consistently hold it down.
That’s got to change. Whether it’s in free agency or the draft, Philly needs another starting-caliber corner to solidify the back end.
Don’t Let the Offense Steal the Spotlight
Yes, the offense will get plenty of attention this offseason-and it should. But if the Eagles are serious about returning to the Super Bowl and finishing the job, the defense has to get back to elite status.
They’ve done it before. The pieces are there.
Now it’s about keeping the core intact, making the right additions, and doubling down on the identity that nearly took them to the top two seasons ago.
Because if Super Bowl LX taught us anything, it’s this: offense might sell tickets, but defense still wins rings.