The Philadelphia Eagles’ second-half collapse was enough to send a jolt through the organization.
Head coach Nick Sirinnai returns, but the Eagles will have two new coordinators, with Vic Fangio calling the defense and Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator.
Likewise, general manager Howie Roseman targeted playmakers at the top of the free agent market, including landing All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley, arguably the top pass-rusher available in Bryce Huff, while securing key veteran leaders on long-term contracts such as A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, and others.
There is, though, one lingering question hovering above the Eagles as the 2024 campaign nears that could determine the trajectory of the upcoming season.
Did the Philadelphia Eagles Do Enough to Fix the Defense?
There weren’t many bigger catalysts for the Eagles losing five-of-seven to close out the 2023 season than a woebegone defense that seemed to lose its way, especially marred by poor tackling and coverage breakdowns in the secondary.
Philadelphia finished last season ranked 26th in total defense, surrendering 356.1 yards per game, and 30th in scoring defense, allowing 25.2 points per contest.
So, it begs the question whether Roseman and the Eagles have done enough to fix a defense this offseason that became an anvil down the stretch of last season.
“The secondary is probably the biggest issue,” FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano writes. “The Eagles need a bounce-back season from 33-year-old corner Darius Slay, and maybe even a bigger one from 30-year-old James Bradberry, whose decline was alarming last season. They have reinforcements waiting — rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, their top two picks — but it’s the vets they need the most. It will also help that Philly brought back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, whose attitude and energy were missed last season when he played for Detroit.
“But the Eagles need more because the secondary has to hold up despite the loss of their best pass rusher, Haason Reddick, who was traded to the Jets. Philadelphia replaced him with Bryce Huff, and that certainly will help. But Reddick had 27 sacks in his two years in Philly. It’ll take more than one guy to make up for that.”
Roseman and the Eagles were viewed by many inside the league and out as one of the biggest winners during the NFL Draft, particularly after coming away with Mitchell and DeJean, both viewed as first-round talents.
However, getting both rookies up to speed, and having a defense gel around a new coordinator and scheme may not be an easy task.
The Eagles’ season and trajectory in 2024 may depend on the defense bouncing back both to take pressure off quarterback Jalen Hurts and the offense as well as potentially being called upon to be the catalyst for success rather than a reason the season torpedoes.
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