The Philadelphia Eagles are poised to improve in the 2024 season, although it may take some time for them to fully develop. A key aspect of their improvement will be the addition of two new coordinators, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Change at the NFL level often comes with a steep learning curve. The Eagles will need to quickly adapt to the new systems implemented by Moore and Fangio. This may result in early mistakes, players being out of position, and the need for extra timeouts to correct formations and player assignments during the first few games of the season.
The adjustment period may lead to players overthinking instead of reacting instinctively on the field initially.
One certainty is that Moore’s offensive scheme will provide a clear direction for the team. Under the previous offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, there was a lack of focus. Johnson’s close relationship with quarterback Jalen Hurts may have resulted in too much pressure being placed on Hurts to make decisions on his own, particularly in blitz protection situations. Hurts struggled against blitzes in the latter part of the 2023 season, with his passing efficiency dropping significantly. Moore’s system will aim to help Hurts improve in this area.
The addition of Saquon Barkley will be a significant boost for the Eagles. Barkley’s pass protection skills and offensive capabilities could make the Eagles a more balanced team, deterring opponents from blitzing as frequently as they did in the previous season.
With the departure of Jason Kelce and changes in the offensive line, the Eagles will need to make further adjustments. Shifting Cam Jurgens to center and potentially incorporating new players like Tyler Steen or Trevor Keegan will be crucial for the team’s success.
Kelce’s absence will require Hurts to take on more responsibility in reading defenses and calling protections. It will be a mental adjustment for the team to adapt to Kelce no longer being present on the field.
On the defensive side, with Fangio as the new coordinator, the transition should be smoother as some of his components were already in place from previous coordinators. Linebacker positions may pose a challenge, with new roles for players like Zack Baun and concerns about the longevity of Devin White’s peak performance.
Overall, the Eagles are expected to show improvement from the previous season, although it may take some time for all the changes to fully take effect.
Joseph Santoliquito is a hall of fame, award-winning sportswriter based in the Philadelphia area who has written feature stories for SI.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, MLB.com, Deadspin and The Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News. In 2006, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for a special project piece for ESPN.com called “Love at First Beep.” He is most noted for his award-winning ESPN.com feature on high school wrestler A.J. Detwiler in February 2006, which appeared on SportsCenter. In 2015, he was elected president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
