Philadelphia Eagles: A Team in Turmoil as 2026 Season Approaches

The Philadelphia Eagles, despite their recent successes, seem to be in a state of disarray as they head into the 2026 NFL season. After finishing the previous season with an 11-6 record, the mood among fans is anything but jubilant. The Eagles, who lifted the Super Bowl trophy just two seasons ago, now find themselves mired in a cloud of negativity, making them one of the most perplexing teams in the league.

The 2025 season saw the Eagles start strong, winning their first four games. However, those victories felt hollow to many fans, who sensed the team’s underlying issues. This suspicion was validated when the Eagles suffered a heartbreaking collapse against the Denver Broncos, blowing a 17-3 lead in the fourth quarter. The subsequent defeats only compounded the disappointment, with a particularly humiliating loss to the Giants and another late-game collapse against the Cowboys standing out as low points.

Despite these setbacks, the Eagles managed to secure a playoff spot. However, a decision by head coach Nick Sirianni to rest starters in the final game of the regular season resulted in a disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders, dropping the team to the No. 3 seed. This pattern of late-game failures became emblematic of the Eagles’ season, culminating in a Wild Card exit against the San Francisco 49ers, a team missing several key players.

The Eagles’ offensive struggles were evident, with quarterback Jalen Hurts facing criticism for his performance. His relationship with star wide receiver A.J. Brown deteriorated as Brown displayed his frustration on the field. The running game also faltered, with the team’s star running back seeing a significant drop in production. The famed 'Tush Push' play, a staple of the Eagles' offense, appeared to have been figured out by opposing defenses.

Heading into the offseason, the Eagles made significant changes, beginning with the firing of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Sirianni’s search for a replacement was chaotic, culminating in the hiring of Sean Mannion, a relatively inexperienced figure in the coaching world. Mannion’s approach is set to introduce new offensive schemes, emphasizing more under-center formations and varied play designs—a stark departure from what Eagles fans have grown accustomed to.

The upcoming season will see Hurts challenged to adapt his game under Mannion’s new system. Mannion plans to push Hurts to make more reads and throw more frequently between the hashmarks, an area where he struggled previously. The fans' reaction to these changes remains to be seen, but there is skepticism surrounding Mannion's ability to turn the offense around. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton joins the roster, with rookie Tanner McKee also in the mix, raising questions about the future of the quarterback position.

Source: defector.com