Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 1/31/25.
Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …
Without a philosophy shift, the Cowboys could be chasing the Eagles for years to come – Blogging The Boys
Barkley was, and still is, a perfect fit for the Cowboys. Dallas could have easily afforded the three-year $37M deal he signed with Philadelphia and still locked up their stars. Still, once again, the Cowboys were too stubborn to change their own philosophy and let a franchise-changing player go to a division rival without even a thought of signing him. During Brian Schottenheimer’s introductory press conference, Stephen Jones mentioned how the Cowboys are going to take a “long hard look” at how they’ve operated in free agency and change some things if needed. Getting back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1996 may hinge on just how truthful Jones was with that statement. It’s hard to look at a division rival’s success and marvel at it, but the Eagles are operating the way the Cowboys should be. If the Cowboys want to catch them in the coming years and not continue lagging in the rearview mirror, they’ll need to adopt Philadelphia’s organizational philosophy and start acting the way America’s Team should.
Eagles Injury Report: Brandon Graham sounds optimistic about playing in the Super Bowl – BGN
The Eagles listed two players under LIMITED PARTICIPATION: Brandon Graham and Britain Covey. The Eagles opened Graham’s practice window to return from injured reserve earlier on Thursday. He was seen wearing a brace on his left arm during practice. Speaking to reporters in the locker room, Graham noted that he only participated in individual drills but he could be ramped up to team drills on Friday. Overall, Graham seemed to be optimistic about his chances of playing in New Orleans. But we’ll still need to see how he progresses in practice over the next week.
Who is better, Eagles or Chiefs: Defense edition – PhillyVoice
Edge rusher. In recent weeks the Eagles have employed a three-man rotation on the edge in Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, and Jalyx Hunt. Brandon Graham could make it four. Sweat quietly had a productive season, collecting eight sacks during an 11-game stretch in the middle of the season. However, he hasn’t had a sack in the last five games. Smith has picked up the slack, as he has 10.5 sacks since the Eagles’ bye week. He also leads the NFL in sacks during the playoffs, with four. Hunt has seen his snap counts increase steadily over the course of the season. He plays with outstanding energy, and is coming along as a pass rusher. The Chiefs’ best edge rusher is George Karlaftis, who had eight sacks during the regular season, and has had six in the last five games. He is a power rusher with some inside-outside versatility. Otherwise, the Chiefs have an unspectacular supporting cast that includes Charles Omenihu, Mike Danna, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Edge: Eagles.
Chiefs’ biggest matchup questions for Super Bowl 2025 – ESPN
How does Eagles running back Saquon Barkley change the game plan for Chiefs offensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo? I expect Spagnuolo to get an additional defender in his front against Barkley, which would reduce the split-safety shells the Chiefs like to use. Whether it happens with pre-snap alignment or a safety spinning down late, Kansas City simply needs more bodies in the box. That means playing a heavier dose of man-free coverage and three-deep zone coverage to add the cut-off defender near the line of scrimmage. Plus, the Chiefs must win the edges to limit the Eagles’ run game. Philly will use pin/pull concepts to get Barkley on the perimeter, often from condensed sets. Spagnuolo can put his defensive ends in a wide-9 or 7-technique, which won’t allow the Eagles to crack or pin inside as easily. It also means matching on the backside to take away the run-pass option throw for quarterback Jalen Hurts. — Matt Bowen
Is Saquon Barkley Having the Most Impactful Post–Free Agency Season Ever? – The Ringer
4. Saquon Barkley, 2024 Philadelphia Eagles. By now, you know how Barkley became an Eagle. You probably even watched his breakup with the New York Giants play out on Hard Knocks. And it didn’t take long for Barkley to prove that the Eagles had made the right decision in signing him to a three-year, $37.75 million contract, scoring three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the Eagles’ Week 1 win over the Packers in Brazil. He’s been just about unstoppable in every game since; he had 14 regular-season games with at least 100 rushing yards, and he went over 200 yards twice. He routinely broke games open with his explosive runs, and became the focal point of an Eagles offense that already had a pair of star receivers and a highly paid quarterback. If the Eagles manage to beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, it seems likely that Barkley will have been Philadelphia’s star and could claim the Super Bowl MVP award.
‘Why I’m the player I am today:’ How years of losing shaped Saquon Barkley – NBCSP
He knew all along. He’s always visualized this kind of season. No matter how bad things got with the Giants, he believed it would happen. He knew it would happen. More than 2,000 rushing yards. A historic postseason run. Every imaginable individual award. A Super Bowl appearance. Saquon Barkley knew all along. “I didn’t think it was possible,” Barkley said after practice Thursday. “I kind of knew.” Which is incredible, because as productive as Barkley was at times with the Giants, nobody in NFL history has ever done what he’s done this year. Just 30 yards shy of the most combined regular-season and postseason yards in a season. The highest rushing average in NFL history by a back with at least 400 carries. The highest rushing average ever in the postseason. And more than twice as many 60-yard touchdowns as anybody else has ever had in a season. It may seem impossible for anybody to foresee that kind of success.
Chiefs to stick with Joe Thuney at left tackle vs. Eagles in Super Bowl LIX – Arrowhead Pride
Many have cited concerns about a potential matchup between Eagles second-team All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter and Caliendo, but it’s worth noting that, in 2024, Carter lined up almost exclusively on the left side of the defensive line — mirroring the right side of the offensive line. Thuney has earned significant praise for being able to jump out to left tackle and perform at a high level. After allowing three pressures against the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round, he settled in against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship, finishing pressure-free.
Super Bowl 59 Betting: Midweek market update – PFF
Spread: You don’t see much movement when it comes to Super Bowl lines — we have a full season of data to price these markets, and they’re hammered into shape relatively quickly. That said, the Chiefs have opened as slight favorites as they begin their pursuit of the first three-peat in NFL history. The consensus line sits at -1.5 across the board, though some books initially opened at -2. Expect the final number to settle somewhere between -1 and -2 before kickoff. Total: It took a few days after opening, but the market has settled a half-point below the opener at 49. There are a few 49.5s still on the board. Buy/Sell: There is no movement to fade, but I’m buying the Chiefs at -1.5 to win their third consecutive Super Bowl.
’We’re going back to leave on a positive note’: Eagles invite New Orleans attack survivor to Super Bowl LIX – PE.com
Just hours after ringing in the New Year in New Orleans, tragedy struck as a terrorist drove a truck through a crowd in the French Quarter district, killing 15 and injuring 30 people. Among those injured was former Princeton football player Ryan Quigley, who broke bones in his leg, back, and face, requiring surgery and several days in the hospital. Quigley’s best friend who was with him, Tiger Bech, was tragically killed during the incident. A Montgomery County native, Quigley was invited to go to the Eagles’ Divisional Round Playoff game against the Rams, where he met several players and coaches as he sat in a wheelchair recovering from his injuries.
Which Washington players might generate comp pick draft capital this offseason? – Hogs Haven
Zach Ertz (TE). I had originally intended to leave Ertz off this list, given that, based on his 2024 compensation of $3M, he was unlikely to qualify for a compensatory pick, but seeing that Spotrac has his market value at $5.3M, I thought it made sense to include him. I don’t think I’d be inclined to bring Ertz back for over $5M, but I’d certainly sign him up again for $3M. Would someone else pay him that amount? I guess we’ll see over the next couple of months. If he’s compensated in that range, he’ll generate a 6th round pick.
New York Giants free agency: Should this QB be the Giants’ priority? – Big Blue View
I have never been a huge Fields fans. He is, as Big Blue View’s Nick Falato recently showed, an imperfect quarterback. He is a tremendous athlete who can make plays with his legs, but has been frustratingly inconsistent as a passer and decision-maker. Giants head coach Brian Daboll could likely work with Fields, but I don’t have confidence that Daboll will be able to get more out of Fields than the Chicago Bears or Pittsburgh Steelers did. That said, when you look at the free agent and trade market, Fields could be the right fit for the Giants. Because of age, upside, the length and cost of the contract it would likely take to get him and the reality that Fields as a bridge starter and eventual No. 2 quarterback if the Giants are able to draft a potential starter in April would not be a bad thing, Fields seems like a logical target if he is available. He just shouldn’t be the biggest quarterback move the Giants make this offseason.
Report: Texans will interview Commanders assistant Brian Johnson – PFT
The Texans will interview Commanders assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator Brian Johnson on Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC reports. Johnson was the Eagles’ offensive coordinator in 2023, with the team parting ways after the season. The Eagles ranked seventh in points per game and eighth in yards per game in Johnson’s time calling the plays. He began his NFL coaching career as the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach in 2021 before his promotion in 2023. Johnson helped guide Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels this season.
Poll: Who is the next Houston Texans offensive coordinator? – Battle Red Blog
Rumors swirl the Texans are trying to talk to former NFL offensive guru turned Ohio State OC Chip Kelly. Kelly and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans have connections from their days with the Philadelphia Eagles. Which might give H-Town a leg up on bringing Kelly back to the NFL.
The worst NFL nicknames on Pro Football Reference – SB Nation
Pro Football Reference is a daily visit for me. Heck, most of the day I have at least one tab open with some information in it — then the next morning I can’t remember what rabbit hole I went down that had me looking up the defensive stats of the 1987 Cincinnati Bengals. They were terrible by the way, despite having Dick LeBeau as their defensive coordinator, but I digress. One of the features that Football Reference has is player nicknames. Find any profile, especially quarterbacks, and you’re likely to find a nickname on the player. Some of these make all the sense in the world. We know Tom Brady was TB12, or that Adrian Peterson was “All Day,” but dig a little deeper and some of these nicknames are absolutely off the way. So unknown, so niche, that it’s difficult to imagine that anyone ever used these.
2025 Senior Bowl: Daniel Jeremiah’s top 12 standouts from week of practice – NFL.com
TE Elijah Arroyo: I had Arroyo near the bottom of my Top 50 rankings coming into the week, but I think he’s going to leave the Senior Bowl with some first-round buzz. We all knew about his size and speed before he arrived in Mobile — he showed that during his breakout season with Miami in 2024. The thing that stood out to me in practice this week was his route polish. He blocked well, too. The arrow is pointing all the way up here.
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