A Highly Anticipated 2022 Season
When time ran out in the NFL wild-card game vs the Buccaneers, along with their season, Jalen Hurts, Fletcher Cox, Lane Johnson, and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles walked into the visitor’s locker room in Tampa Bay and prepared for their flight back to Philadelphia. The team had exceeded all expectations. They had fought back from a 3–7 start to make an improbable appearance against the SB champion Bucs in the first round of the playoffs.
Despite all of the achievements with a first-year starting QB and a brand new coaching staff, there was not a lot of optimism heading into the off-season. The way the team lost their wild-card round gave the fan base the perception of a lack of development from the QB position and a defense which left most fans skeptical of the team’s direction.
Like most fans, the Eagle’s GM and the team’s scouts had opinions about what needed to be done to close the gap and surpass the other teams. Aside from one big difference (QB) everyone’s opinions aligned with one another.
Nine months later, the difference between the disappointing end of the 2021 season compared to where they are starting in 2022, is night and day.
How Roseman had what most believe to be an amazing offseason.
The Eagles selected 2 players from the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs defense. Jordan Davis and team Captain Nakobe Dean. The theme of building through the lines while selecting winners, champions, and Captains, was again at the forefront of their decision-making. Once you include the trade to acquire Tennessee WR AJ Brown for picks 18 and 101, the haul seems to be a home run.
A.J. Brown might be the best wideout in Philadelphia since Terrell Owens. One big difference is that this time the Brotherly love between receiver and quarterback is sincere!
His skill set seems to be a match made in Heaven with Philly’s RPO-heavy offense. The Eagles QB, Jalen Hurts, will also benefit from having Brown on three-step drop passes via the quick reads and timing routes. AJ can get open quickly, and that skill set will be utilized often.
And let’s not forget about the free agents. The defense got stronger with the additions of Haason Reddick, James Bradberry, Kyzir White, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson Jr. The offense added veteran receiver Zach Pascal, third-string QB Ian Book, and RB Trey Sermon.
A lot of fans wanted the Eagles to sign high-priced QBs like Watson (no) or R Wilson. Had they even been able to do that, they wouldn’t have been able to draft in the first round, trade in the first round, or sign the free agents they did as the cap would have been destroyed with that one signing.
AJ Brown, Jordan Davis, Haason Reddick, Bradberry, etc would not be on this team. Instead, the Eagles overhauled their roster from one of the oldest to one with an exciting group of talented young players. Most of these players are under contract for 2 or more seasons.
Only 5 players on the initial 53-man roster are over the age of 30.
This is quite a turnaround from a roster devoid of young talent just 2 short seasons ago.
As impressive, is the fact that 10 of the projected offensive starters are all homegrown draft picks. AJ Brown is the only outlier.
Barring injuries, this team has the talent to contend for a deep playoff run. Everything looks great on paper, it’s time to see what it looks like on the field.