7 biggest questions facing the Eagles in 2024
The Eagles’ NFL offseason began much earlier than expected.
As head coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman prepare for their year-end press conferences on Wednesday, there are plenty of questions to be answered ahead of free agency, the draft, and training camp this summer.
Philadelphia finished 1-6 in their final seven games, therefore the focus will be on offensive and defensive coordinator candidates, as well as a summary of where the breakdown in defensive communication began.
Other questions will revolve around Jalen Hurts’ continued development, A.J. Brown’s temperament, DeVonta Smith’s contract, and the future of veterans like as Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, and Brandon Graham.
With activity at the NovaCare Complex expected to increase, here are seven questions for the Eagles in 2024.
Whose offense will Philadelphia run in 2024?
Brian Johnson is out as offensive coordinator, fired after one season of running Nick Sirianni’s offensive system.
Philadelphia will hire a new offensive coordinator, but will any candidates want some say in the scheme, weekly game planning, and offense flow?
Sirianni gave up play-calling during the 2021 season and spent most of 2023 defending Brian Johnson’s performance based on it being the head coach’s scheme and playbook.
Will Philadelphia invest in linebacker position?
Philadelphia has gone almost 40 years without picking a linebacker in the first round, and they will watch as the 49ers, Ravens, Chiefs, and Lions all benefit from strong linebacker play.
Names like Fred Warner, Lavonte David, Demario Davis, Matt Milano, Roquan Smith, Bobby Wagner, Dre Greenlaw, Nick Bolton, and Patrick Queen are just a few examples that could pique GM Howie Roseman’s interest enough to invest the necessary money or draft picks in the position.
The Eagles prefer to develop in the trenches, but Roseman must modify his style and philosophies at some point.
Will Philadelphia get more aggressive on defense?
The Eagles’ passive approach on defense was more than impactful during the two seasons with Jonathan Gannon. Still, the two deep safeties and four pass rushers look like they failed under two different coordinators this season, and the question has to be asked: Is Philadelphia ready for a change in defensive principles?
The Eagles have interviewed veteran coordinators Ron Rivera and Mike Caldwell, but could a name like Wink Martindale, and his pressure scheme entice Nick Sirianni?
Will the Eagles draft a dynamic safety?
Philadelphia landed Jalen Carter (9) and Nolan Smith (30) in the first round of last April’s NFL draft.
In back-to-back seasons, Howie Roseman bypassed a dynamic safety to select a Georgia defender.
2022 Roseman bypassed Kyle Hamilton for Jordan Davis, while in 2023, Roseman bypassed the Lions Brian Branch for Smith.
Hamilton, Branch, Antoine Winfield Jr., Jabrill Peppers, Xavier McKinney, Jevon Holland, and Talanoa Hufanga are some names Roseman has passed on in previous years. Reed Blankenship is solid, and Kevin Byard could still be impactful, but Philadelphia has to get serious about addressing the need for dynamic playmakers in the middle behind Jalen Carter.
Is Howie Roseman getting away with failures?
The Eagles are explosive on offense and will always be competitive, but Roseman’s defensive selections have backfired after careful consideration. Terrell Edmunds and Justin Evans were less than reliable throughout their tenures, while the Kevin Byard signing has yet to yield game-changing outcomes.
Roseman wasted Rashaad Penny’s season, seldom used Olamide Zaccheaus outside of novelty plays, and may have made a huge mistake by paying James Bradberry over C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Roseman receives credit for stepping up to land Jalen Carter. Nonetheless, he’s passed up talented safety in back-to-back years in favor of Georgia defenders who have excelled in limited roles, while third-round pick Tyler Steen has appeared in just one regular season game.
What happens with Haaason Reddick?
Any possibility of moving on from Reddick this offseason vanished when Nolan Smith failed to contribute beyond one sack and some flashes of athletic brilliance.
Reddick recorded 10+ sacks for the fourth consecutive season after collecting 19.5 sacks the previous year, but the Eagles will face a difficult decision after the next league year.
Reddick will enter the final year of his contract with a $21.8 million salary cap charge in 2024.
Will Howie Roseman quit Reddick, rework his contract, or move on?
Can Jalen Hurts handle the pressure?
Jalen Hurts is no longer the second-round pick who advanced to the starting quarterback position.
Hurts is about to begin a new $255 million contract and will face offseason doubts about his possible decline while serving as the Eagles’ fourth offensive coordinator.
Pressure and expectations come with being one of the five highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history.
Can Jalen Hurts handle it?