GLENDALE, Ariz. − There is little time to relax. The Eagles’ offseason began Monday, just hours after their 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
That was evident Tuesday morning when the Indianapolis Colts announced they’re hiring Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen to be their next head coach.
A few hours later, the NFL Network reported Tuesday that Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and the Arizona Cardinals are finalizing details to make him their new head coach.
Obviously, those two will have to be replaced. And over the next four weeks, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will have to make some critical decisions that could determine if the Eagles have a chance to return to the Super Bowl next season.
Here, then, are seven offseason questions facing the Eagles, beginning with the coaching staff:
1. How will Eagles replace top 2 assistants?
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said last month that he was already preparing for the possibility that his two coordinators could leave.
Both Steichen and Gannon have been with Sirianni for the past two seasons. Steichen took over play-calling duties midway through last season. The Eagles have gone 23-8 since, including playoffs while quarterback Jalen Hurts has blossomed into an MVP finalist.
Despite the Super Bowl, the Eagles had the No. 2 defense in the NFL this season under Gannon, falling two sacks short of the NFL record set by the 1984 Chicago Bears. They had the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense.
Hurts has said often that the continuity on the coaching staff was critical to his success this season, but he also knows the impact of winning.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Hurts said Tuesday. “I know I’ve spoken on that a lot, and it’s been a huge reality for me. I give a lot of credit to Coach Steichen for what he’s been for me the last two years, the things that he’s taught me, what he’s been for me and this team − as a motivator, as a leader, as a coach, as an OC.
“I think he’s meant the world to us. Like I said, you want to give other people opportunities to chase their dreams. That’s been something he’s been able to do, and I know he’s going to do a great job in Indianapolis.”
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There is a way for Hurts and the Eagles to have that continuity even with Steichen and Gannon leaving.
On offense, that would mean having quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson promoted to offensive coordinator to replace Steichen. Johnson, who’s 35, has known Hurts since Hurts was 4 years old. That was when Johnson was in high school, playing for Hurts’ father, Averion.
On defense, the likely in-house candidate is defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson.
If the Eagles go that route, that will lead to openings at their positions that the Eagles will have to fill. And it’s likely that Steichen and Gannon will take a few assistants as well, creating even more openings.
2. Is Jason Kelce retiring?
Kelce, the Eagles’ perennial All-Pro center, has contemplated retirement in each of the last four offseasons. He will consider it again. But this time, he might actually do it.
After all, Kelce made it back to the Super Bowl, and he got to do it by going against his brother, Travis. The Eagles also drafted Kelce’s replacement in Cam Jurgens last spring, with Kelce’s endorsement.
On a personal level, Kelce is 35 years old. He has two young daughters, and his wife, Kylie, is due any day now with their third.
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Naturally, Kelce was asked after the game if he’s returning for a 13th season.
“I’m not saying that yet. We’ll see,” he said.
But his decision could lead to a chain reaction on the offensive line.
If Kelce returns, it’s likely that right guard Isaac Seumalo, who’s eligible for free agency, won’t. So Jurgens would then replace Seumalo. If Kelce retires, then Jurgens would take over at center.
3. Jalen Hurts’ new contract
We all know it’s coming. Hurts is entering the final year of his rookie contract. For 2023, that means he will count just $1.9 million against the salary cap.
But it’s very likely that the Eagles will try hard to sign Hurts to a contract extension worth somewhere in the $50 million per year range. Hurts is only 24 years old, and he proved over and over again this season that he is the present and future of the franchise.
By signing Hurts this offseason, the Eagles can spread out the money to count more against the cap this season, while not preventing the Eagles from having salary cap space to make decisions about their own free agents, or even chase free agents from other teams.
4. Is Miles Sanders gone?
By all accounts, Sanders had a career year with 1,269 yards rushing. But Sanders will be a free agent, and it sure seems like the Eagles are ready to move on.
Sanders had an awful game Sunday, with seven carries for 16 yards. He lost a yard on the first play of the game and injured his wrist as he fumbled the ball out of bounds. Sanders was seen in the locker room afterward with a splint on his wrist.
Sanders’ production had diminished during the final games of the regular season and in the playoffs. He hasn’t had 100 yards or more in a game since Dec. 11 against the Giants, a span of eight games.
During that time, Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott have each seen more touches. It should be noted that neither Gainwell (21 yards on seven carries) nor Scott (8 yards on three) played well against the Chiefs.
But the Eagles do have four picks in the first three rounds of the draft, and it’s quite possible they could take a running back there rather than paying to keep Sanders.
5. James Bradberry or Chauncey Gardner-Johnson?
It could very well come down to which defensive back the Eagles can afford to keep.
Last spring, Bradberry had little choice but to accept a one-year, prove-it-type deal from the Eagles after the Giants released him. He’ll want to get paid after being selected for the Pro Bowl.
So will Gardner-Johnson, who is 25 years old and hitting free agency for the first time. He tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with six despite missing five games with a lacerated kidney.
It’s hard to fathom the Eagles signing both to long-term deals averaging more than $10 million per season.
“For the most part, I’m just trying to be in the moment, not really trying to think about free agency right now,” Bradberry said. “I’m just sad that we lost.”
6. A reunion with Fletch and BG?
Defensive linemen Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham are the longest-tenured Eagles on defense.
If they want to finish their careers as Eagles, they will likely have to take less money to return. Cox already did this last year when the Eagles released him, then signed him three days later, to reduce the salary cap hit.
Will Cox want to do it again? Or Graham?
Either way, the Eagles will have to bolster their defensive line in the draft, very likely with their first of two first-round picks at No. 10.
7. Are Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean ready to play?
According to KC Sports Net, the Eagles had the fewest snaps among the rookie class during the season. The Chiefs, meanwhile, ranked seventh, and the six teams above the Chiefs all missed the playoffs.
In the Super Bowl, first-round pick Jordan Davis, a defensive tackle, played 10 snaps, or 18%. Jurgens didn’t play at all. And third-round pick Nakobe Dean, a linebacker, played only on special teams.
That will change next season. The Eagles will have four free agents at defensive tackle, Jurgens will replace either Kelce or Seumalo, and Dean will replace either T.J. Edwards or Kyzir White, both of whom are eligible for free agency.
“This offseason, I’m going to work to be the best I can be to get this team to another level,” Dean said. “It’s a blessing to make it (to the Super Bowl) in my first year. I don’t plan to wait another six or seven years in this league before I make it to another.”
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
