The Philadelphia Eagles can win their second Super Bowl title in five years by beating the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night in Glendale, Arizona.
The 31-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship at Lincoln Financial Field gave the top-seeded Birds the opportunity to win it all again in Super Bowl LVII. Miles Sanders rushed for two touchdowns, Jalen Hurts improved to 16-1 as a starter this season, and Haason Reddick knocked 49ers QB Brock Purdy from the game, in addition to recovering a fumble.
On Feb. 4, 2018, it was backup QB Nick Foles, having replaced the injured Carson Wentz, who led the Eagles to a remarkable 41-33 victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. It was the first Super Bowl win in franchise history.
Comparing the two:Which Eagles’ Super Bowl team is the best: ‘Philly Special’ or Jalen Hurts experience?
Where are some of the key performers from that Eagles team now?
Here’s a look at where the Eagles’ fearless head coach is these days, as well as what some of their Super Bowl champion players no longer in the league are doing:
Doug Pederson, head coach
In his second season as head coach, Pederson guided the Eagles to a 13-3 record and the top seed in the NFC, then to the Super Bowl victory. Known for his aggressive play-calling, the former NFL quarterback didn’t hesitate to go for it on fourth down near midfield or try risky plays. He was fired three years later following a 4-11-1 campaign. leaving with a 42-37-1 regular-season record and 4-2 playoff mark. After taking a year off, Pederson became head coach of the Jaguars. He led Trevor Lawrence and company to a 9-8 record this season and a playoff win just one season after Jacksonville went a league-worst 3-14.
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Jay Ajayi, running back
![Eagles running back Jay Ajayi celebrates after winning Super Bowl LII against the Patriots. [Frank Franklin II/Associated Press]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/2018/05/15/NBCC/ghows-PA-6c3ea472-dbd6-5482-e053-0100007f8ab7-d045867e.jpeg?width=660&height=481&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Acquired in a midseason trade with the Dolphins for a fourth-round pick, Ajayi rushed for 57 yards in Super Bowl LII. He had 408 rushing yards on 70 carries (5.8 average) in seven regular-season games for Philly. The London-born Ajayi officially retired from the NFL in January 2022, then received a $5 million loss-of-value insurance policy after a torn ACL essentially ended his football career.
LeGarrette Blount, running back
Blount led the Eagles in rushing with 766 yards (4.6 average) in 2017, which was his only season in Philadelphia after signing a one-year deal. He also had a game-high 90 rushing yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl. Blount retired in December 2020 after a nine-year pro career. The former Patriot, who won the Super Bowl with New England the year before, makes appearances on NESN’s “Ultimate Betting Show”.
Brandon Brooks, guard
Brooks started all 16 regular-season games and three playoff contests at right guard in 2017, earning the first of three Pro Bowl selections that year. Brooks, who spent the last five of his 10 seasons with the Eagles, retired last June 3. Long interested and involved in finances and investing, Brooks is working toward an MBA from Penn’s Wharton School in 2024.
Trey Burton, tight end
Burton was the Eagles’ No. 3 tight end to starter Zach Ertz and veteran Brent Celek. A former quarterback, he threw the touchdown pass to QB Nick Foles on the infamous fourth-down “Philly Special” just before halftime on one of his 18 snaps from scrimmage. The 31-year-old Burton has been out of the league for two years, though he had been working toward another shot. He’s figuring out what’s next for him and wife Yesenia, who have three young children.
Brent Celek, tight end
Celek played 24 snaps in the Super Bowl and didn’t have a catch. The 2017 season was Celek’s 11th and final in the NFL — all with the Eagles. He had a career-low 13 receptions for 130 yards and one touchdown during the regular season in a career with 398 catches for 4,998 yards and 31 TDs. Now 38, Celek retired in August 2018 and runs a real estate company in Delaware County.
Malcolm Jenkins, safety
The versatile Jenkins registered four tackles in the Super Bowl victory after making the second of his three Pro Bowls with 76 tackles and two interceptions during the regular season. He started all 96 games during his six seasons as an Eagle (2014-19). Jenkins also won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints. His Malcolm Jenkins Foundation provides scholarships to high school and college students. He’s also a podcaster and has a production company.
Chris Long, defensive end
Long had one tackle and two quarterback hits in the win over the Patriots, one year after winning the Super Bowl with New England. He registered a career-high four forced fumbles during the 2017 regular season, which was his first of two years in Philadelphia. Long retired in May 2019. He hosts a popular podcast called “Green Light with Chris Long”. He and his wife Megan (O’Malley), a Morristown High School graduate, run the Chris Long Foundation that emphasizes getting clean water to East Africans and the basic education needs of American children.
Stefen Wisniewski, guard
Wisniewski solidified the Eagles’ offensive line by starting 11 regular-season games and all three playoff contests, including the Super Bowl, at left guard. He also was a starting guard for Andy Reid and the Chiefs in their Super Bowl LIV victory. Wisniewski announced his retirement in August 2021 after 10 seasons. A former Penn State star, Wisniewski is studying to become a preacher. He’s in seminary school while interning at Calvary Church in State College.
Eagles players still in the NFL
Nelson Agholor (Patriots), Corey Clement (Cardinals), Vinny Curry (Jets), Ronald Darby (Broncos), Rasul Douglas (Packers), Zach Ertz (Cardinals), Nick Foles (Colts), Nate Gerry (Commanders), Kamu Grugier-Hill (Cardinals), Jordan Hicks (Vikings), Mack Hollins (Raiders), Marcus Johnson (Giants), Sidney Jones (Raiders), Rodney McLeod (Colts), Steven Means (Ravens), Jalen Mills (Patriots), Jason Peters (Cowboys), Nate Sudfeld (Lions), Halapoulivaati Vaitai (Lions), Carson Wentz (Commanders)
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes; @TomMoorePhilly
