Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been talking about since the start of the 2021 season, the opportunity for the Eagles’ offense to “grow together” and “achieve great things,” and it’s clear that the staff is building on that. side of the line of scrimmage — a work in progress for the past three years — gives Philadelphia a chance to do just that.
When General Manager Howie Roseman said at the beginning of this season, he wanted to “build the right path” on this Eagles roster, he meant that it was important to stay disciplined, do good decisions, but not reaching positions or players. Stay “true to the board,” if you will. The Eagles did just that, adding one Day 1 free agent in pass-rushing linebacker Haason Reddick, who is in his sixth NFL season. Then they added wide receiver Zach Pascal (fifth season) and, finally, linebacker Kyzir White (fourth season).
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Roseman put together a series of upsets on the first night, trading for defensive end Jordan Davis and then pulling off a huge trade with Tennessee to get more AJ tackles. Brown (fourth season). In Round 2, it was center Cam Jurgens and Round 3 linebacker Nakobe Dean.
For the purposes of discussion here, the focus is on the offense and how the Eagles built Jalen Hurts, as they said they would all out, by adding Brown and Pascal. in the lobby with Jurgens on the offensive line. Philadelphia now has an offense that combines the power of a great pass-catching combination of Brown and DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins and Pascal and others – the competition in summer for playtime sure to be fun to watch! – with Dallas Goedert and a big and complete game that led the NFL in yards in 2021 playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the entire league.
And, here’s the thing: When you consider the age of the offense, the Eagles actually have a chance to live with it and, yes, achieve great things.
He will be 24 years old when the regular season starts, Brown will be 25 in June, and Smith will be 24 in November. Watkins also turns 24 in June and Pascal, the “old man” of most receivers, will be 28 at the end of the season. In the backfield, Miles Sanders just turned 25, Kenneth Gainwell is 23, and Boston Scott is 27. Goedert is in his fifth season and in the prime of his career at age 27, Jack Stoll is in just his second season, and Tyree Jackson, a promising prospect in his second season at tight end, has 24.
Up front, the Eagles have experience, that’s for sure. Center Jason Kelce is entering his 12th season and it’s “year to year,” Roseman said. Jurgens is an exciting new talent to develop. Right-hander Lane Johnson, still at the top of his game after a terrific 2021 season at full health, just turned 32 and is in his 10th season. Isaac Seumalo turned 29 in the regular season. Otherwise, left tackle Jordan Mailata is only 25. Left guard Landon Dickerson enters his second season and turns 24 in September. Jack Driscoll and Andre Dillard and Sua Obeta and Jurgens, a strong four considered contributors, are still young. Le’Raven Clark, who has a chance to earn a prize as a survivor, is 29 years old.
Here’s the point: The Eagles said years ago that they wanted to “change the roster,” and they’ve done that on offense (and key parts of the defense) over the course of three seasons. If you believe that continuity and reliability are important components in building an offense – and they should be – the Eagles are in a promising position.
“That’s what we try to do,” Hurts said. “We have a base here and we’re expanding, we’re building, that’s what you want to do.”
Some people laughed when Head Coach Nick Sirianni used the metaphor “growing roots” last season to describe some of the growth he saw in a team that was, at the time, struggling. . He felt the team’s progress down the stretch and, sure enough, the seeds sprouted and the roots spread and the flower blossomed for the Eagles as the team won down and made it to the postseason. .
The offense will likely pick up where it left off with the ability to pair Pro Bowl wide receiver Brown with a veteran who already knows this style in Pascal to help Hurts with the passing game. . Seumalo is back to health after missing most of last season with an injury, and his return and the addition of Jurgens gives the offensive line even more depth and talent. .
“Building on the right track” means the Eagles have a chance to start the regular season on offense while most of the league coughs and shudders as they continue. The Eagles have continuity built in, and they have added strength. They have turned the offense around and now have one of the youngest, best and best units in the league in Year 1 of the offense designed by Sirianni and coordinator Shane Steichen.
Well, yes, crime, go away. Let them grow together. And achieve great things. The 2022 season is waiting for you.
