The Super Bowl champions have won four games. But the two losses feel too heavy. The engine is still running, but it’s backfiring, knocking, and leaving a trail of smoke. For weeks, fans have been asking what’s cooking under the hood. Now, after a shocking crash in New York, we’re getting some unsettling answers.
The Eagles’ 34-17 loss to the Giants wasn't just a defeat. It was an unraveling. And the post-game spotlight fell squarely on A.J. Brown, who dropped a bombshell about the team’s core issue. When asked about second-half adjustments, Brown was blunt. He stated, “No, I don't think adjustment. I think it's just lack of execution. I don't think adjustment... We know what they're doing and we going out there with the right mindset and the right plays. Just lacking execution.”
This “lack of execution” claim directly challenges the narrative around a team struggling with strategy. Meanwhile, the plot thickened dramatically around a supposed players-only meeting.
A Fractured Foundation
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley both confirmed a “long, positive conversation” to fix the offense (which was originally reported by Jimmy Kempski from PhillyVoice). Hurts confirmed the news.
"Yeah, it’s just us talking about the collective. Talking about taking ownership for what we can and talking about how we move forward as a team so we continue to find ways to win games," said the Eagles quarterback. Besides, Barkley had also confirmed the news with a dollop of wisdom.
"I don’t think it’s just that conversation. I think it’s the work that we put in. Sometimes it just doesn’t hit off right away. I know it hasn’t shown in a consistent way throughout the first five games, but there’s been sparks," Barkley said. But Brown had a very different memory.
He told reporters,“I don’t recall a meeting. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” When pressed, he simply repeated,“I don’t recall. I don’t recall.” This bizarre denial points to a deeper disconnect. And Brown's later explanation only convoluted the issue further. It suggests the Eagles’ key players aren't just misfiring on the field. Besides, the evidence of the on-field disconnect was overwhelming.
The Eagles were battered by a rookie quarterback, Jaxson Dart. The defense, missing Jalen Carter, looked soft. The offense, meanwhile, has now been outscored 51-14 in the second half over the last three games. Jalen Hurts threw his first interception of the season, a crippling pick-six that sealed their fate. And this collapse now raises alarm bells across the league. So, where do the Eagles go from here?
What Comes Next for the Eagles?
The road doesn’t get easier. The Eagles must now travel to face a tough Minnesota Vikings team. The pressure is mounting on coach Nick Sirianni to find a solution. Is it a schematic problem he needs to adjust, or is it simply a matter of effort and focus, as Brown implies? The team’s identity, once defined by a relentless offensive attack, is now shrouded in confusion and internal doubt.
The Eagles stand at an all too familiar crossroads. Great teams find a way to execute when the plan isn't perfect. Championship teams communicate, even when it's difficult.
Read more:Saquon Barkley finally loses patience after offensive letdown against Giants
Right now, Philadelphia is doing neither. They have the talent of a dynasty. The coming weeks will test their character. As the legendary coach John Wooden once noted, “Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”And the struggle to stay on top has only just begun for the Eagles.