Just one year ago, the Philadelphia Eagles were flying high-literally and figuratively. They’d just dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59, and the conversation wasn’t just about celebrating a championship.
It was about legacy. Dynasty talk was in the air.
With a loaded roster, a rising head coach, and a quarterback who’d played lights-out in two of the last three Super Bowls, it felt like the Eagles were building something sustainable-something special.
Fast forward to today, and the picture looks a whole lot different.
The Eagles are now a team in transition, navigating a wave of change that’s come harder and faster than anyone expected. Some of it is necessary.
Some of it is painful. And all of it is reshaping the trajectory of a franchise that, not long ago, looked poised to dominate the NFC for years.
Let’s start with the offense. Last season, the Eagles fell flat-stuck in a system that felt stale, predictable, and out of sync with the talent on the field.
The numbers tell the story: 16th in EPA per play, 22nd in success rate, 13th in EPA per pass, and 16th in EPA per run. That’s a middle-of-the-pack offense, and for a team with Super Bowl expectations, that’s not going to cut it.
Injuries didn’t help. Key linemen like Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Lane Johnson missed significant time, with Johnson’s injury lingering far longer than initially expected. The foundation of the offense-the offensive line-was cracked, and the Eagles never found a way to patch it up.
The coaching staff didn’t have answers, either. Promoting Kevin Patullo to offensive coordinator turned out to be a misstep.
Head coach Nick Sirianni tried to make midseason adjustments, but it was like slapping duct tape on a leaky pipe. The offense never found rhythm, never found identity.
So, the Eagles did what teams do when things go south-they made changes. Big ones.
They went hunting for an experienced play-caller to replace Patullo. Names like Mike McDaniel, Brian Daboll, and Todd Monken were reportedly at the top of the wishlist.
None of them bit. So the Eagles pivoted, opting for a younger, unproven offensive mind with upside: Sean Mannion.
Mannion may not have been the first choice, but the Eagles are betting on his potential. His system is expected to borrow heavily from the Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay playbooks-schemes that prioritize motion, misdirection, and quarterback-friendly designs. It’s the kind of offense fans have been clamoring for, especially after watching the Eagles grind through a rigid attack last season.
But with that kind of philosophical shift comes collateral damage. One of the biggest ripple effects? The departure of Jeff Stoutland.
Stoutland, the Eagles’ longtime offensive line coach and one of the most respected position coaches in the league, is out. He reportedly lost his run game coordinator duties last year, and while that may have planted the seed, Mannion’s arrival likely sealed it. His system doesn’t mesh with the run concepts Stoutland has built his reputation on.
Make no mistake: this is a significant loss. Stoutland has been the engine behind the Eagles’ dominant offensive line play for years.
His ability to develop talent-whether it’s turning late-round picks into starters or molding raw prospects into Pro Bowlers-is unmatched. If Dickerson and Johnson do decide to retire, the Eagles will be staring at a major rebuild up front.
And you can bet GM Howie Roseman is already eyeing the draft board with offensive linemen circled in red ink.
Still, it’s worth noting that Stoutland never wanted to be a coordinator. He’s a position coach at heart, and while he’s a legendary one, the Eagles’ offensive overhaul may have made his role untenable. Even if last year’s handling of his responsibilities was clumsy, the writing may have been on the wall.
Then there’s the situation with A.J. Brown.
The star wide receiver, who’s been visibly frustrated throughout the season, reportedly wants out. His chemistry with Jalen Hurts appears fractured, and if that relationship is truly beyond repair, the Eagles could be forced to move on from one of their most explosive weapons.
And speaking of Hurts-his future is now under the microscope.
We’ve seen Hurts evolve before. His leap from 2021 to 2022 was massive, turning him into a legitimate MVP candidate and a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback.
But now comes another test. Can he adapt to Mannion’s system?
Can he thrive in a more pocket-oriented scheme if his days as a dual-threat quarterback are winding down?
The potential is there. Hurts has the work ethic, the intelligence, and the leadership.
But this is a different kind of challenge. It’s not just about learning a new playbook-it’s about redefining how he plays the game.
And if he struggles, the Eagles may be forced to ask tough questions about their long-term plan at quarterback.
All of this puts Nick Sirianni squarely on the hot seat. After winning a Super Bowl, expectations naturally skyrocket.
But last season’s collapse, coupled with questionable coaching decisions, has put pressure on him to deliver-fast. The 2026 season isn’t just a bounce-back campaign.
It could be a make-or-break year for the head coach.
So here we are-one year removed from a championship, and the Eagles are in the middle of a full-scale transformation. Some of it was inevitable.
Some of it is self-inflicted. But all of it underscores a simple truth in the NFL: success is fleeting, and staying on top is even harder than getting there.
The Eagles are betting big on change. Now we’ll see if it pays off.