The Eagles underperformed this past season, losing in the first-round of the playoffs, and the direction of the team is now a concern.
Over the last two weeks, the Eagles have made major coaching staff changes, starting with the hire of new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Then, legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland departed and Mannion hand-picked the assistants who will replace him. Last month, the Cowboys also hired away former Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker to be their next defensive coordinator.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is hopeful the new offensive staff will help a bottom-ranked offense evolve and become a dangerous unit again.
“It was quickly apparent in meeting with Sean that he is a bright young coach with a tremendous future ahead of him in this league,” Sirianni said about Mannion last month. “I was impressed by his systematic views on offensive football and his strategic approach. Sean’s 11 years in the NFL have provided him a great opportunity to learn from and grow alongside some of the best coaches in the game. As a result, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to our team moving forward.”
Coaching changes won’t solve every issue.
Philadelphia’s roster lacks depth, and several stars are showing signs of regression. General manager Howie Roseman needs to have a great offseason to make the Eagles contenders again.
Here are 10 steps to make that happen:
ConvinceA.J. Brownto return or trade him for massive haul
If Roseman can only net a third-round pick in return, trading Brown would be a mistake, especially given the cap ramifications. If Brown is cut or traded with a post-June 1 designation, his dead cap hit will be hefty — $45 million if cut, $16 million if traded, according to Over The Cap.
The Eagles’ offense would be more dangerous next season with Brown than without him, especially if they can’t acquire a first or second-round pick to help replace him. In a new offense under a new coordinator, Brown could be reenergized and come back stronger in 2026, which may be the best-case-scenario for the Eagles.
But that outcome might be less likely than the alternative: Philadelphia landing a first or second-round pick, along with other draft picks, in a blockbuster trade for Brown. The cap hit would be significant, but never count out Roseman from making it work.
If Brown wants a fresh start or the Eagles are tired of his antics — at least one of these could be true — a trade would make sense. And even if Brown is willing to come back, the Eagles could try to land a big return on a diminishing asset.
To replace Brown, the Eagles could target a first-round prospect like Washington’s Denzel Boston or target a top wideout on Day 2 of the draft.
Bottom line: the Eagles should not just trade Brown for the sake of trading him — they need to receive significant value to make it worthwhile. Roseman could struggle to find another wide receiver of Brown’s caliber. Before having a down year in 2025, he made three consecutive All-Pro teams and helped the Eagles make two Super Bowls in his first three years with the team.
Draft an impact wide receiver
Even if Brown returns next season, the Eagles should draft a wideout who could start in the slot and make a bigger impact than Jahan Dotson and Quez Watkins have in recent years. Day 2 of the draft could be the sweet spot for Philly’s next slot wide receiver. Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. is a name to watch.
Cooper is a dynamic weapon after the catch, breaking tackles with his physical 6-0, 201-pound frame and cruising past defenders with blazing speed. He creates consistent separation from the inside and outside and finishes through contact with strong hands. He could be a high-volume pass catcher and touchdown machine at the NFL level. This season, he tied for 25th in receptions (69) and third in touchdowns (13).
Strengthen interior OL depth
Left guard Landon Dickerson may retire this offseason after an injury-plagued season and career, per multiple reports. Center Cam Jurgens showed promise early in his career but struggled this past season and no longer seems like a surefire starter. Right guard Tyler Steen is solid, but he’s replaceable.
Those spots are vulnerable. Now, the Eagles need to sign and/or draft linemen who can push for starting positions in case Jurgens doesn’t rebound, Dickerson retires and Steen doesn’t take the next step.
Draft Lane Johnson’s heir
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on 97.5 The Fanatic this week that he’d be surprised if Johnson doesn’t return next season. Even so, the Eagles should look to find Johnson’s replacement in the 2026 draft. Johnson might play another season, but another two years seems less likely.
The Eagles replaced Stoutland, one of the NFL’s best talent developers, with former Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper, who struggled to develop late-round linemen in Minnesota.
Kuper may not have the ability to turn a late-rounder into an All-Pro the way Stoutland did with former rugby player Jordan Mailata. To make his job easier, the Eagles need to take a right tackle early in the 2026 draft; if they don’t, it will need to be their top priority in the 2027 draft.
Remake the tight end room
With Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson set to hit free agency, the Eagles must rebuild their tight end room through the draft and free agency. Roseman will need to add multiple blocking tight ends — an area the Eagles have struggled with in recent years.
Add young No. 2 CB to play on boundary and backup slots
Adoree’ Jackson was a serviceable No. 2 cornerback in 2025, but the Eagles could draft or sign a younger player with more upside to take on that role next season. That addition could elevate the defense from very good this past year to elite, like it was in 2024.
Jackson lacks the speed to match up with top-end wide receivers — a young cornerback would add more athleticism to Philadelphia’s secondary and address that problem.
Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio never felt comfortable with his backup slot cornerbacks this past season. That could be addressed this offseason, as the team may be able to find an upgrade over Mac McWilliams and Michael Carter II.
PrioritizeJaelan Phillips over the other top free agents
The Eagles are projected to enter free agency with just over $15 million in effective cap space, according to the Over the Cap — so they won’t be able to re-sign all four of their key free agents: Goedert, Phillips, safety Reed Blankenship and linebacker Nakobe Dean.
If the team can only afford one of the four, Phillips should be the top priority. Pass rush is a premium, whereas it’s easier to find linebackers, safeties and tight ends.
Phillips is also an ascending player who hasn’t lost a step despite suffering multiple-season ending injuries. He knocks back offensive linemen on passing downs with his long arms and powerful hands and sets the edge against the run as good as anybody. He only finished the year with 53 tackles and five sacks, but he’s one of those players who is better than the sack number indicates.
He totaled 73 pressures this past year, which ranked ninth among edge rushers, per Pro Football Focus.
The Eagles will have to decide whether Phillips is worth just over $17 million per year, Spotrac’s projected figure.
Look forJake Elliottreplacements
Elliott just made 20 of his 27 field-goal attempts in 2025, his second consecutive down year. Once a reliable big-game kicker, he’s no longer trustworthy. He missed a crucial extra-point during the team’s first-round playoff loss to the 49ers. Down four on the last drive of the fourth quarter, the Eagles failed to convert a fourth-down from the red zone and lost the game. Had Elliott made his PAT, the Eagles could have kicked a field goal to force overtime.
The Eagles must at least bring in competition for Elliott during training camp. With a post-June 1 cut, he would only cost Philadelphia just over $2 million.
Attempt to tradeTanner McKee
The Eagles would be wise to get value for McKee, a third-year backup who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Perhaps a quarterback-needy team would trade a third or fourth-round pick to the Eagles. To replace McKee, Philadelphia could re-sign free agent Sam Howell on a cheap, one-year deal and draft a long-term backup in the draft.