For an organization touted for its strong leadership, the Philadelphia Eagles lacked that in 2023, despite having a veteran-filled locker room.
Losers of six of their final seven games, including a 32-9 playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Eagles knew that major changes would need to come if they were to remain competitive. Losing long-time leaders like All-Pros Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox to retirement certainly doesn’t help matters, either.
Despite the lack of easy-to-spot leaders on the team, Philadelphia is excited about the challenge of rebuilding what it once had.
Nick Sirianni Opens Up About Leadership Hole on Roster
The loss of Kelce and Cox in the locker room is a major talking point for many inside the confines of Philadelphia. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni made sure to point out that while the task may seem difficult, it’s only seen as an exciting new challenge for the organization.
“Talent is so important, but your culture and leadership lead to special things,” Sirianni said at the NFL Annual League Meeting in Orlando Tuesday morning. “We’re excited about the new opportunities because the leadership has to come from somewhere.”
Sirianni touted quarterback Jalen Hurts, offensive linemen like Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata, and All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown as players expected to step up and fill the void Kelce is leaving behind.
Even then, it’ll certainly be something to watch as the Eagles prepare for the fourth year of the Sirianni regime.
“It’s going to be important,” Sirianni explained. “Leadership is going to be important…It’s going to take a lot of guys to fill the void of leadership on the offensive side. Culture on top of the talent is what helps you do special things.”
Philadelphia is hoping to get back to that “special” style of play that had previously been a staple of the organization over the years. The Eagles competed in Super Bowl LVII just two years ago and have been to the playoffs for three straight seasons.
One of the major reasons for the team’s fall from grace last year, to Sirianni, is a lack of toughness that seemed to permeate through the organization.
Free agent losses the previous offseason with players like safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and linebacker T.J. Edwards left holes in the mental makeup of the team that wasn’t truly replaced. Now, with Gardner-Johnson returning, that toughness Sirianni is looking for could be on its way back.
“If you look back at Chauncey, the things he added, you saw a guy that would throw his body around,” Sirianni stated. “I’m excited about the toughness he brings back…We didn’t meet our expectations last year, so with a lot of things, it wasn’t good enough.”
KEEP READING: Andy Reid Gives Eagles Legends Their Flowers
Improved toughness and leadership are major points of emphasis for Sirianni if he’s looking to lead the Eagles to a fourth straight playoff appearance — something that no coach has been able to do since the Andy Reid era in the early 2000s.
To get to a fourth straight playoff run, though, means repairing some of the relationships that may have soured from last year’s disappointing finish.
Sirianni Repairs Relationship With Jalen Hurts
Nearing the end of the 2023 season, several reports stated that the relationship between Hurts and Sirianni had fractured in a way with the quarterback not trusting the play-calls being put out on game day.
Massive changes have since happened to the Eagles’ offense outside of just a change in player leadership.
Kellen Moore has replaced Brian Johnson as offensive coordinator and play-caller. Sirianni has stated that that his offensive system is being infused with fresh ideas, and running back Saquon Barkley has been added to the team to bring a different dimension to the unit.
Part of those extra changes, though, is having the head coach and quarterback rebuild the trust in each other that may have been lacking in 2023.
“When you’re going through tough times, all relationships are tested,” Sirianni explained. “We have to stick to the process of what we do, and eventually, we have the right pieces in place to break through. We’re in constant communication.”
Philadelphia’s head coach also acknowledged that while his relationship with the quarterback is important, he’s also emphasizing his relationship with the rest of the roster.
More importantly, making sure the entire team is building chemistry and growing positively is something the 42-year-old coach is making sure gets grown heading into practices and the start of a new season.
“We’re excited to get back to that close-knit team that we know we have been in the past in both good times and bad.”
CONTINUE READING: Get To Know New Eagles Linebacker Zack Baun
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!