The sting of the Eagles’ Wild Card loss to the 49ers hasn’t faded - and for Philly fans, a recent comment from Trent Williams might just reopen the wound.
Let’s set the scene: under three minutes to play, San Francisco trailing by four, and Christian McCaffrey hauls in a go-ahead touchdown pass. But rewind the tape, and one detail jumps out - on the edge of the play, Eagles rookie pass rusher Nolan Smith Jr. is trying to fight through what looks like a clear hold from 49ers left tackle Trent Williams.
No flag. No call.
Just six points on the board for San Francisco.
Now, Williams has weighed in on the moment - and he didn’t exactly deny it. When asked if he was holding on the play, the veteran tackle responded: “I didn’t see a flag. Hey, you only can’t get a speeding ticket if you don’t get pulled over, right?”
That’s a quote that’s going to live rent-free in the minds of Eagles fans all offseason.
Let’s be real: Williams is a savvy vet who knows how the game is played - both on the field and in front of the mic. His answer, while flippant, underscores a truth that every lineman understands: holding happens on nearly every play.
The difference is whether it gets called. And in this case, it didn’t.
But while that missed call is frustrating - and yes, it was a pivotal moment - it wasn’t the sole reason the Eagles are headed home. The officiating did raise eyebrows, especially with the penalty disparity: Philly was flagged seven times for 48 yards, while the 49ers were hit with just one penalty for 15 yards. That’s a big difference in a game this tight, and it’s fair to question how consistently the game was called.
Still, this wasn’t just about the refs. The Eagles had chances - plenty of them - to take control in the second half.
Instead, they stalled. Costly drops, ill-timed penalties, and missed opportunities defined their offensive performance.
Drives that should’ve ended in points were derailed by self-inflicted wounds. That’s not on the officiating crew - that’s on the execution.
And while the missed hold will be a talking point all offseason, it also serves as a reminder of how thin the margins are in playoff football. One no-call, one drop, one false start - they all add up.
If there’s any upside to the loss, it’s that it forced the Eagles to make a change that had been looming for weeks. Kevin Patullo is out as offensive coordinator, a move that felt inevitable given the unit’s second-half struggles. Whether that leads to a more consistent and creative offense next season remains to be seen, but it’s a step in the right direction.
As for Williams, his comment will be debated and dissected, but the scoreboard tells the story. The 49ers are moving on.
The Eagles are not. And in the end, that’s what matters most.