Coming off a 14-3 season that ended with the staff’s second Tremendous Bowl championship, there’s loads of motive to be optimistic about Philadelphia as of late.
However no staff is ideal, not even the Eagles. Right here’s why they might wrestle in 2025.
1. Protection
The Eagles are shedding 131 sacks, 854 tackles and 26 years of NFL expertise with the departures of defensive linemen Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Milton Williams (Patriots) and Brandon Graham, who retired with a franchise-record 206 video games performed.
The staff additionally misplaced Professional Bowl cornerback Darius Slay (Steelers) and security C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who led Philadelphia with six interceptions earlier than being traded to the Texans within the offseason. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio labored magic with the NFL’s top-ranked protection final season, however he higher have one thing up his sleeve for 2025.
2. Saquon Barkley
Barkley led the NFL with 2,005 speeding yards final season, 1,043 extra yards than he had with the Giants in 2023. In fact, it took a career-high 345 carries to get him there, greater than he had in his earlier six seasons and probably the most since Derrick Henry had 349 with the Titans in 2022.
However with two inches and 14 kilos on his fellow operating again, Henry is best suited to soak up and get well from the blows of a 300-carry season. A 26-year-old Barkley had six touchdowns and 962 yards following a 295-carry season in 2022. How he recovers from final season stays to be seen.
3. Madden 26
For these unfamiliar with the “Madden Curse,” it principally says that any participant showing on the quilt will undergo a critical damage or have a down yr. Previous victims embody operating backs Eddie George, Adrian Peterson and present 49er Christian McCaffrey.
