The greatest risk facing the Philadelphia Eagles is not their recent struggles, but the potential for a panicked overcorrection. Before making any drastic changes, the team should consider the instructive history of the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs.
The parallels are striking. A year after a Super Bowl appearance, the Chiefs began their season 7-2 before faltering. They lost four of their next six games, failing to score 20 points in each of those losses. Questions swirled around their first-year offensive coordinator, yet the head coach remained steadfast. They finished the regular season 11-6, needing to win on the road to return to the Super Bowl—which they ultimately won.
The Chiefs’ offensive decline that season was significant. They scored 125 fewer points in 2023 than in their 2022 championship run, and their average yards per play fell from 6.43 to 5.54. Yet, they navigated the adversity, beating the Bills and Ravens on the road in the playoffs.
While recent performances from Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense have justifiably caused concern, it’s crucial to view these struggles within a broader context. Inside the locker room, players are working to maintain that perspective amidst external pressure.
After a 24-15 loss to the Bears, center Cam Jurgens noted, “We’re 8-4. The sky’s still above us.” Running back Saquon Barkley added, “The sky’s falling outside the locker room, but I have nothing but the utmost confidence in the men in this locker room, players and coaches included.”
This internal confidence isn’t baseless. With three games remaining against the Raiders and the Commanders, an 11-win season is a realistic floor, which would likely secure the division title. While the team focuses on one game at a time, this favorable outlook provides a buffer against the intense pressure of the Philadelphia sports environment, where criticism can multiply and create self-doubt.
The primary reason for caution lies in a critical distinction from the 2023 collapse. That team’s dysfunction was not born from an inherently flawed offense; it was a consequence of a defense that could not get a stop. The on-field struggles, particularly on defense, preceded the internal turmoil, not the other way around. The Chiefs avoided that self-fulfilling prophecy of dysfunction last year; the Eagles must do the same now.
Slumps are a reality for even the best teams in the NFL, a league where opponents relentlessly adapt and counter. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes did not suddenly forget how to orchestrate a high-powered offense, and Kansas City did not panic. The Eagles’ recent challenges are more indicative of the league’s competitive norm than a fundamental flaw. Last season’s relative ease was the anomaly.
The Eagles remain one of the most capable teams in the NFC and have already defeated the formidable Rams. The message from head coach Nick Sirianni and team leaders is the correct one. Their season now hinges on their ability to believe it and resist the urge to dismantle a foundation that is still strong.
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