Earlier than Jason Kelce retired as an energetic participant earlier this 12 months, the longer term Corridor of Fame heart featured for the Philadelphia Eagles aspect that suffered an epic collapse late final season.
Throughout a latest chat with Rob Maaddi of The Related Press, Kelce spoke about what went mistaken for the staff that fell from 10-1 to 11-6 earlier than it suffered a blowout wild-card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January.
“I believe we had lots of expertise final 12 months however there have been items that we had been lacking,” Kelce acknowledged. “I believe the cohesion definitely wasn’t there prefer it was the 12 months earlier than. Clearly, we misplaced two coordinators, which it didn’t work out with the replacements.”
Following the Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl LVII loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in February 2023, offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon left Philadelphia to simply accept head-coaching jobs elsewhere. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni later replaced Sean Desai with Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator in December 2023, and Sirianni then dismissed offensive coordinator Brian Johnson this previous winter.
“On offense, we went easier,” Kelce mentioned about how Philadelphia performed underneath Johnson and Desai/Patricia. “On protection, we went the alternative means. We utterly overhauled our defensive coordinator and system, and also you type of noticed the downsides of each of these. Offensively, I believe all people would agree that we most likely went too easy, and that obtained just a little bit predictable and it may put us in conditions that had been most likely tougher to execute in.”
Sirianni reportedly has embraced “extra of a CEO-type function” working with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Nevertheless, rumors proceed to hover over the Eagles relating to alleged points between Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts as former New England Patriots head coach Invoice Belichick waits for a possibility to return to the sidelines subsequent 12 months.
“I believe that gamers didn’t execute on the degree that we did the 12 months earlier than, me included,” Kelce added about his former membership. “It’s all the time type of just a little little bit of every thing. And, I be ok with the place they’re at now. I actually do.”
Sirianni’s seat reportedly may “not be hotter” forward of the upcoming season, and he might must information the Eagles to greater than only a playoff look in January 2025 to stop staff proprietor Jeffrey Lurie from reaching out to Belichick. In the meantime, Kelce left little doubt throughout his dialog with Maaddi that his “days of taking part in are simply accomplished” as he absolutely embraces a profession in broadcasting.
