Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) leaves the field after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Tampa, Fla.AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Hey PennLive readers. It’s Ilan Katz back again for another round of the mailbag, where I have the privilege of answering your burning sports questions.
This one is Eagles-themed. Without further ado, let’s dig right in.
What is your prediction on what will happen with Jason Kelce? It feels like he’s just dragging us along. Also, what are some other offseason priorities for this team?
— Jeremy
Let’s start with Kelce, the seven-time pro bowl center. Kelce is coming off another all-pro season (his sixth in 13 NFL seasons). While he has yet to formally announce his retirement, Kelce sure has been acting like a man content to hang it up.
It sure seems like Kelce is headed toward retirement. I would be surprised if he came back to the Eagles, considering how last year finished and having to start over with a new offensive coordinator. If he and Fletcher Cox (who is also contemplating retirement) do decide to walk away, that leaves a major void in player leadership, not to mention the production they bring on the field.
Other than potentially having to replace two Eagles legends, there are a bunch of other items the Eagles need to shore up to get back to playing winning football.
Philadelphia (+2000, DraftKings) has the eight-shortest odds to win the 2025 Super Bowl, so it seems like most sportsbooks believe in Nick Sirianni’s group, whatever that may look like. There is some stability with their playmakers, as QB Jalen Hurts, and WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are all under contract and still in the prime of their careers.
A top priority needs to be to shore up the defense, especially beyond the defensive line. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has the track record, but he also has his work cut out for him: Philadelphia was below average in pass defense, getting off the field on third downs and getting stops in the red zone. The Eagles need help in the secondary and at linebacker, even more so if Cox retires.
One more thing (among others) that needs to be addressed: who mans the backfield? D’Andre Swift had a nice season, his first away from Detroit, but he is a free agent now. The only running backs currently signed through 2024 are Kenneth Gainwell and Ty Davis-Price, who was signed earlier this week. That obviously won’t be enough for a team hoping to contend.
Will they re-sign Swift? Or will they look to add backfield talent through the draft? Stay tuned.
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