5 reasons why Eagles will (definitely) not make a Super Bowl trip in 2023 season
The Philadelphia Eagles served as the last line of defense for those who didn't want to see the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate another Lombardi Trophy. However, the odds are high that if Patrick Mahomes reaches another Big Game in 2023, the Eagles won't be the ones to stop them.
Despite their success last season, the upcoming one isn't likely to be a great one for them. Here are five reasons why the NFC East team won't be around in February next season.
#1 - Gutted staff
Shortly following the final game of the season, the Eagles lost Jonathan Gannon and Shane Steichen to head coaching gigs. The team will need to essentially rebuild its coaching staff overnight and the odds of finding two Super Bowl-quality coordinators are basically zero.
Will the Eagles make the playoffs in 2023?
In some cases, the search could become handicapped from the outset if the coach believes he can pick anyone and 'coach them up' to become of Super Bowl quality. Of course, that won't become clear until after the season in which they miss the Super Bowl.
#2 - Pending roster changes
After getting to the Super Bowl, most teams see an exodus of talent. Usually, the team can thank the salary cap as players demand to be rewarded for their efforts beyond what the cap can do. In other words, a case of too many mouths to feed can sink any franchise, at least in the short term.
The Philadelphia Eagles have allowed Darius Slay's agent Drew Rosenhaus to seek a trade, per sources. The Eagles are still hopeful to find a solution where Slay remains an Eagle.
As it stands, there are almost 20 free agents that could jump ship this offseason. With so many players sticking one foot out the door, the Eagles are likely to lose some players.
This means they are likely to fall at least a percent below the de facto talent threshold required to reach the Super Bowl. Not to mention, the team will face pressure to pay their quarterback in a big way, which would further hamper their fiscal abilities.
Eagles have agreed to a 1 year deal with Brandon Graham according to @Tim_McManus https://t.co/Jya8gtp1tM
#3 - Low historical mathematical probability
The last time a team lost a Super Bowl and returned the following year was in 2019 when Tom Brady, who had lost to Nick Foles the previous year, faced the Rams in Super Bowl 53.
Of course, while Jalen Hurts has proven to be special, he still ranks far below No. 12. Not counting No. 12, the last time it happened was in the 1990s when the Buffalo Bills lost four straight Super Bowls.
Unless Hurts has some hidden Jim Kelly in his genes, the Eagles aren't going to the top of the pyramid in 2023.
#4 - Tougher schedule in 2023
As it became clear which teams would be good in 2022, many scoffed at the quality of the NFC and, more specifically, the NFC East. The division had one of the easiest records in the NFL, per Sharp Football Analysis. However, in 2023, it will be a different story.
For example, the Eagles are set to face the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. They could also face a behemoth in the making if the Jets acquire Aaron Rodgers. Strength of schedule aside, the conference will also see new powerhouses emerge to unseat the franchise.
Put simply, the Eagles won't be the only kids on the block two seasons in a row. With 16 teams in the conference, at least one other team will rise to power above the franchise. The only question is who it will be.
#5 - Lost element of surprise
If one looks back at the league's history, teams start hot in new eras and then cool. It is rare for an old era to suddenly rejuvenate in the following years. This is because teams get targets on their back and other teams play them harder.
Also, with more fame comes more opportunities for teams to study formations and schemes, and ultimately narrow down a weakness to exploit.
At first, all powerhouses look like unsolvable goliaths. However, with more looks at the team, it starts to become clear as to what their strategy is and how they win. Once that is clear, their weaknesses become clear as well.
With months of downtime between seasons, teams are pouring over the team's tape to learn how they tick.
Some want to borrow their tricks. As their tricks get borrowed, they get seen more in other places, leading teams to become comfortable and feel they can defend against them.
Then, once they get to the once mystical powerhouse, it feels like just another team as they've seen the trickle-down versions of their strategy before.