The Philadelphia Eagles may be fresh off a Super Bowl win, but their path to defending the title could be rocky right out of the gate.
According to ESPN, the Eagles are staring down a tough 2025 kickoff, thanks in large part to losing several key defensive pieces in the early offseason.
In his latest column, ESPN's Ben Solak dubs Philly as one of the least improved teams following their 2024 Super Bowl run:
It's not particularly revolutionary to claim that the Super Bowl champion is going to have a hangover, but boy howdy did the Eagles lose a lot of talent. In fact, 4,114 defensive snaps from 2024 are out the door with defensive linemen Milton Williams, Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham and defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Darius Slay Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. Of course, they have young players waiting in the wings, but I'd expect a rocky start as they shake off the cobwebs. The Eagles start with the Cowboys, Chiefs, Rams, Bucs and Broncos -- five potential playoff teams. Things could get squirrelly.
Contrary to what ESPN predicts, the Eagles made several strategic moves this offseason to bolster their defense following a hard hit by veteran departures in NFL free agency.
For starters, the Eagles re-signed linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million deal after a breakout 2024 season, ensuring leadership and stability at the second level. They also strengthened their pass rush by adding edge rusher Azeez Ojulari and linebacker Josh Uche on short-term contracts.
In the secondary, the Eagles signed veteran cornerback Adoree' Jackson and brought in safety Lewis Cine, a former first-round pick with high upside. The team also invested in youth, selecting safety Andrew Mukuba in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draff.
Internally, rising veterans like defensive tackle Moro Ojomo and cornerback Kelee Ringo are expected to step into larger roles.
Altogether, the Eagles are reloading with a mix of veteran experience and promising young talent on defense as they prepare for a challenging 2025 season. That will, however, take some adjusting.
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