PHILADELPHIA — Confidence is one of several issues plaguing the Eagles’ offense this season. But it should not be an issue.
On paper, the Eagles arguably have more offensive talent than any team in the NFL — a Super Bowl MVP quarterback in Jalen Hurts, an All-Pro running back in Saquon Barkley, an elite receiver duo in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, a productive tight end in Dallas Goedert and one of the league’s most accomplished offensive lines.
Yet through six games, the results haven’t matched the talent. Philadelphia ranks 29th in passing and 25th in rushing, and after consecutive ugly losses to the Denver Broncos and New York Giants, the offense looked shaken.
When the 4-2 Eagles returned Monday from a long weekend, rebuilding self-belief became their priority.
“Constant reminder with self-talk, talking with teammates, keeping spirits high at all times — just letting each other know, excuse my French, we can’t be f---ed with,” slot receiver Jahan Dotson told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. “(Head coach) Nick (Sirianni) was really harping on that message in the team meeting today. We know what we’re capable of. It’s just about going out there and doing it.”
There have been concerns about offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s play calling, but players continue to insist the struggles are on them — not him. To snap a two-game losing streak Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings and reassert themselves as Super Bowl contenders, Philadelphia’s top offensive playmakers need to deliver.
“Yeah, a little bit,” Dotson said when asked if the Eagles had lost their swagger. “That tends to happen when you have back-to-back losses. You’re looking for an answer. You just got to remember in the back of your head — you’re that dude. We always got to remember who we are and what we can do for this football team. Just go out and make plays.”
Eagles backup tight end Grant Calcaterra has noticed the same thing.
“I think a little bit,” Calcaterra said when asked if the offense is having fun. “There have definitely been times where we haven’t played free, and you never want that. We’re just trying to find our groove, feel good, and go out there and execute.”
Goedert doesn’t believe confidence is the issue. Instead, he thinks the offense has lost the physical edge that defined last season.
“I think we need to go out there and dominate the line of scrimmage better,” Goedert said.
Sirianni’s opening message to the team Monday was galvanizing, and he’s continued to hammer the same points over the last few days.
“Nick was addressing the team, really focusing in on the fundamentals of the game, which is protecting the ball, playing with good effort, just kind of getting our swagger back,” Dotson said. “He hit the nail on the head. That’s what we got to do. We have enough talent in this room to win a lot of games, but if we take care of the ball, get back to creating explosive plays for the offense, we’re going to be a really hard team to beat. And that was kind of the message. Let’s get back to the fundamentals of the game and don’t forget who we are.”
Patullo said Tuesday the offense “had a really good meeting yesterday about how we want to work forward on some things.” Quarterback Jalen Hurts told reporters the meeting was about rediscovering the team’s offensive identity and motivating everyone to get back on track.
“Both of them just talked about being confident,” Calcaterra said of Sirianni and Patullo’s messages this week. “We’re all really talented players, and we just have to believe that. Now we just have to go out, play free, and have fun. The big plays will come.”
After a sluggish 2-2 start last season, the Eagles rediscovered their identity through a dominant run game and went on to win the Super Bowl. A year later, players are hoping for a similar offensive turnaround.
“Yes, we do,” Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata said when asked if the team has reflected on last year to remain confident. “Just kind of check everybody and make sure that there’s no panic. Can’t listen to you guys. Outside this building, it’s kind of crazy. All sorts of craziness. As a reminder, we kind of just tell them like, ‘Rome wasn’t built overnight.’ ...
“We do kind of reflect on last year, but not too much. We don’t do that much. But just a reminder. Us vets, we just kind of remind everyone we got to keep this going, got to stay positive. Can’t feed into the negative. Feed the good wolf, not the bad wolf. It’s two wolves. Good wolf, bad wolf. Don’t feed the bad wolf.”
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