You can classify the 2023 Philadelphia Eagles season as a disappointment. They finished 11-6 in the regular season and were smoked 32-9 as 3-point road favorites at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Wild Card Game — not what was expected out of the then-defending NFC and NFC East champions.
QB Jalen Hurts finished 2nd in the NFL MVP voting in 2022 behind Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. But Hurts wasn’t in the discussion last year despite throwing for more yards (3,858) and more touchdowns (23) than the season before (3,701 and 22). It was obvious to most everyone that he was playing through pain last year. Whether it was lingering shoulder pain or an MCL issue, he did not seem himself. Hurts was hesitant to run and finished 2023 rushing for 155 less yards than 2022 … and he played 2 more games last season. The Eagles can only hope that rest and rehab this offseason will have Hurts back to 100% before the start of the new campaign.'
The Eagles made significant moves in the offseason in hopes of returning to Super Bowl for the 2nd time in the last 3 seasons. The big splash was signing All-Pro RB Saquon Barkley away from the division rival New York Giants. They also bolstered their pass rush by adding DE Bryce Huff (formerly with the New York Jets) and brought back CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, adding much needed depth to the secondary. Gardner-Johnson returns after an injury-plagued season with the Detroit Lions. He played for the Eagles during the recent NFC Championship season in 2022.
The Eagles did take a major hit to their offensive line with the retirement of C Jason Kelce. The impact he had on and off the field cannot be measured. GM Howie Roseman made sure to lock up stud OL Landon Dickerson to a long-term deal. WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith also received extensions, keep the dynamic duo together in Philadelphia for at least the next 3 seasons.