Tom Brady’s NFL legacy is cemented: He’s the greatest to ever do it
Mackenzie Salmon looks back at Tom Brady’s lasting legacy on the NFL. Any way you want to slice it, Brady is without a doubt the greatest QB to ever play the game.
USA TODAY
The Eagles are coming off a season in which they won 7 of their last 10 games to make the playoffs.
While the Eagles’ season was considered a success in Nick Sirianni’s first season as head coach, the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs showed how far they still have to go to become an elite team.
That begins with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Do the Eagles keep Hurts as the starter and address their other needs with the three first-round picks? Or do they go for broke and use those picks to trade for a quarterback like Russell Wilson?
Either way, it’s clear that the Eagles could be saying goodbye to some beloved veterans. Right guard Brandon Brooks already began that process by announcing his retirement last week.
MORE BEER?: Will Eagles coach need more beer to keep this O-lineman from retiring like Brandon Brooks?
SUPER BOWL BOUND: These 2 players with Delaware ties can reach the Super Bowl, and 17 others on NFL rosters
But they could also be saying goodbye to some underperforming younger players like wide receivers Jalen Reagor and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, and left tackle Andre Dillard.
Here is your chance to put on your general manager’s hat and make those calls.
You’ll notice that rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert aren’t included in this list because they are two of the Eagles’ best players, and they aren’t going anywhere.
Almost every other key player in 2021 is up for debate.
Submit your picks to see results
receivers
#19 J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 225 / Age: 25
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni called him “our enforcer” as a blocker at wide receiver. He also became a solid special teams contributor.
Our call Go
Why? If all Arcega-Whiteside is after three seasons is a good blocker and special teams player, that’s not enough.
#18 Jalen Reagor
Ht: 5-11 / Wt: 197 / Age: 23
Reagor has had a disappointing 2 seasons after he was the Eagles’ first-round pick in 2020.
Our call Stay
Why? Reagor is still on his rookie contract, and he’d have a role as a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver. He’s worth a flyer.
#85 Richard Rodgers
Ht: 6-4 / Wt: 257 / Age: 30
Rodgers is a valued veteran who has been with the Eagles since 2018.
Our call Go
Why? Rodgers is expendable with Dallas Goedert as the star, and young players Jack Stoll and Tyree Jackson.
#84 Greg Ward
Ht: 5-11 / Wt: 190 / Age: 26
A valued leader, Ward only had 7 receptions, but 3 of them went for touchdowns.
Our call Go
Why? Ward’s usage dropped significantly in 2021. Eagles are upgrading at WR, so Ward will be squeezed out.
#16 Quez Watkins
Ht: 6-0 / Wt: 193 / Age: 23
Watkins finished third on the team in receiving yards with 647. He’s the Eagles’ best deep threat.
Our call Stay
Why? After the season, Nick Sirianni called Watkins a legitimate No. 2 WR. He would be even better as a No. 3.
defensive line
#96 Derek Barnett
Ht: 6-3 / Wt: 259 / Age: 26
The Eagles’ first-round pick in 2017 made $10 million in 2021, is eligible for free agency, and had just 2.5 sacks.
Our call Go
Why? Barnett will be eligible for free agency. The Eagles will be better off starting over in the draft.
#91 Fletcher Cox
Ht: 6-4 / Wt: 310 / Age: 31
Cox has been selected to the Pro Bowl in six straight seasons, and is one of the best DTs in Eagles’ history
Our call Go
Why? The Eagles tried trading him last fall, and they’ll try again, even if it means eating $25 million or so in dead money.
#55 Brandon Graham
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 265 / Age: 33
Graham is 33 years old, coming off a torn Achilles in Week 2 that ended his season.
Our call Stay
Why? The Eagles weren’t the same on the defensive line without Graham. He still has one more solid season left in him.
#93 Javon Hargrave
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 305 / Age: 28
Hargrave is coming off the best season of his career with 7.5 sacks, tied for the team lead.
Our call Stay
Why? Hargrave, not Fletcher Cox, is the Eagles’ best defensive tackle.
#90 Ryan Kerrigan
Ht: 6-4 / Wt: 265 / Age: 33
Kerrigan, signed as a free agent, had 0 sacks and 3 tackles in the regular season.
Our call Go
Why? Kerrigan was a major disappointment after a solid 10-year run in Washington.
offensive line
#56 Isaac Seumalo
Ht: 6-4 / Wt: 303 / Age: 28
Seumalo went on IR in Week 3, but had proven himself as a solid starter at left guard.
Our call Stay
Why? Seumalo is integral to the offensive line, especially now that Brandon Brooks announced his retirement.
#77 Andre Dillard
Ht: 6-5 / Wt: 315 / Age: 26
Dillard started 5 games this season after losing the starting job to Jordan Mailata.
Our call Go
Why? Dillard, a former first-round pick, showed he has trade value. There are plenty of teams who need a starting caliber left tackle.
#65 Lane Johnson
Ht: 6-6 / Wt: 325 / Age: 31
Johnson went the entire season without allowing a sack. But he missed three games with a mental health illness
Our call Stay
Why? Johnson is still one of the top right tackles in the NFL, but he has missed multiple games again. The Eagles should have a successor in mind.
#62 Jason Kelce
Ht: 6-3 / Wt: 295 / Age: 34
Kelce was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight season, and started 123 straight games, most among NFL active centers.
Our call Stay
Why? This decision is entirely up to Kelce, who has considered retirement in each of the past few offseasons. But he clearly enjoyed this team and coaching staff.
#63 Jack Driscoll
Ht: 6-5 / Wt: 312 / Age: 24
Driscoll has been productive when he has played, but he missed multiple games in each of his two seasons.
Our call Stay
Why? Driscoll has played both guard and tackle as an Eagle, and is valuable for depth.
linebackers
#57 T.J. Edwards
Ht: 6-1 / Wt: 242 / Age: 25
Edwards took over the starting job in Week 8 and never let it go.
Our call Stay
Why? The Eagles have not invested in the linebacker position, and Edwards, an undrafted free agent, showed why.
#49 Alex Singleton
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 240 / Age: 28
Singleton led the Eagles in tackles for a second straight season, even though he only started 8 games.
Our call Stay
Why? The Eagles need to upgrade at linebacker, but Singleton still has value even as a reserve.
#54 Shaun Bradley
Ht: 6-1 / Wt: 240 / Age: 24
Bradley, the Eagles’ sixth-round pick in 2020, turned himself into a core special teams player.
Our call Stay
Why? Every team needs a special teams ace like Bradley, even though he hasn’t done much at linebacker.
defensive backs
#22 Marcus Epps
Ht: 6-0 / Wt: 191 / Age: 25
Epps was rotating in at safety, even with veterans Rodney McLeod and Anthony Harris.
Our call Stay
Why? Both McLeod and Harris are eligible for free agency, and Epps is much younger.
#28 Anthony Harris
Ht: 6-1 / Wt: 202 / Age: 30
Harris signed a one-year deal, and played well enough with 72 tackles and an interception.
Our call Go
Why? The Eagles need to get younger and better at safety. Expect the Eagles to use an early-round pick, or spend in free agency.
#23 Rodney McLeod
Ht: 5-10 / Wt: 195 / Age: 31
McLeod recovered from his second torn ACL in three seasons to have a solid season.
Our call Go
Why? McLeod’s leadership was valuable, but it has come to the point where his play doesn’t make up for it.
#3 Steven Nelson
Ht: 5-11 / Wt: 194 / Age: 29
As the starter opposite Darius Slay, Nelson more than held his own at cornerback.
Our call Go
Why? Nelson is eligible for free agency, and the Eagles need to draft someone who can start for several years.
#2 Darius Slay
Ht: 6-0 / Wt: 190 / Age: 31
Slay had his best season as an Eagles and was named to his fourth Pro Bowl.
Our call Stay
Why? Slay is the Eagles’ best cornerback, but he’s 31 and has a $22 million salary cap hit. Still worth it.
quarterbacks
#1 Jalen Hurts
Ht: 6-1 / Wt: 223 / Age: 23
Is Hurts the next Peyton Manning? No. But he led the Eagles to the playoffs after a slow start.
Our call Stay
Why? Hurts improved as a pocket passer and gave the Eagles a running dynamic. They can build around him for one year and then evaluate again.
#10 Gardner Minshew
Ht: 6-1 / Wt: 225 / Age: 25
Minshew started and won a critical game in December when Jalen Hurts was out, completing 80% of his passes vs. Jets
Our call Stay
Why? Minshew proved he is one of the better backup quarterbacks in the NFL. And he should remain that way with the Eagles.
running backs
#26 Miles Sanders
Ht: 5-11 / Wt: 211 / Age: 24
Sanders ranked third among NFL running backs, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. But for a second straight season, he played in only 12 games.
Our call Stay
Why? Sanders is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and it’s likely that next contract will come from another team.
#24 Jordan Howard
Ht: 6-0 / Wt: 224 / Age: 27
Howard spent the first seven games on the practice squad, then rushed for 406 yards in 7 games.
Our call Go
Why? Howard didn’t expect to be on a roster this season. He was valuable, but he’s pretty much all used up.
#35 Boston Scott
Ht: 5-6 / Wt: 203 / Age: 26
Scott didn’t have a carry until Week 7. He finished with 406 yards and was a valuable contributor.
Our call Stay
Why? Scott is a valuable third running back behind Sanders and Gainwell.
#14 Kenneth Gainwell
Ht: 5-9 / Wt: 200 / Age: 22
As the Eagles’ fifth-round pick, Gaiwell ran for 291 yards and had 265 receiving
Our call Stay
Why? The Eagles consider Gainwell as someone who can develop into a Darren Sproles-like receiver/runner.
punter
#8 Arryn Siposs
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 220 / Age: 29
Siposs was solid up until the final two games, when he had 3 punts of under 30 yards each.
Our call Stay
Why? With that said, the Eagles should bring in a punter to compete with Siposs during the spring.
kicker
#4 Jake Elliott
Ht: 5-9 / Wt: 167 / Age: 27
Elliott improved his FG percentage from 73 to 90, and made all 44 extra point attempts.
Our call Stay
Why? Elliott fixed whatever problems he had in 2020 with a stellar season. No reason to change kickers.
Player photos, copyright © 2022 The Eagles
Published
Updated
