If you’re a Birds fan, you probably spent most of this season waiting for the "other shoe" to drop. It’s a Philadelphia tradition, really. After the high of winning Super Bowl 59, the 2025 season was supposed to be a victory lap. Instead, it turned into a weird, frustrating slog that ended with a 23-19 thud against the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round. Honestly, it’s been a confusing year.
The Eagles finished 11-6. On paper? That’s a good season. But if you actually watched the games, you know the Eagles losses this year felt way heavier than just six marks in the "L" column. It wasn’t just that they lost; it was how they lost. From a stagnant second-half offense to locker room tension that leaked into the media, the 2025 campaign was a masterclass in "what could have been."
The Games That Slipped Away
Let’s look at the actual damage. The Eagles started hot, going 4-0, but the wheels started wobbling in October. They dropped back-to-back games against the Broncos and the Giants. That Week 6 loss to New York (a 34-17 blowout) was particularly gross. It was the first sign that the defense, while talented, wasn't invincible, and the offense under new coordinator Kevin Patullo was struggling to find a rhythm.
Then came the late-season skid. Between Week 12 and Week 14, Philadelphia lost three straight.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
- Week 12: A 24-21 heartbreaker in Dallas.
- Week 13: A 24-15 stinker at home against the Bears.
- Week 14: A 22-19 overtime loss to the Chargers.
That stretch effectively killed their momentum. By the time they hit the playoffs, they looked tired. The Wild Card loss to the 49ers was just the final chapter of a story we’d been reading all November. Jalen Hurts looked human. Saquon Barkley, who had a massive year overall with 1,140 rushing yards, seemed to run into a wall in the second half of the season.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Struggles
You’ll hear a lot of people blame the defense. After all, they lost legends like Darius Slay and James Bradberry in the offseason. But the defense actually kept them in games. Vic Fangio’s unit ranked 5th in the league in points allowed (19.1 per game). The real culprit for the Eagles losses this year was an offense that just... stopped.
There is a haunting stat floating around Philly sports talk right now: the Eagles averaged only 9.5 points in the second half this season. Against San Francisco in the playoffs, they led 13-10 at the half and then managed only six points the rest of the way. It’s hard to win in January when you can't put the hammer down.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
The Kevin Patullo Experiment
Kevin Patullo took over the play-calling after being promoted from passing game coordinator. It didn't go great. The "West Coast" scheme he implemented felt predictable. There were games where Jalen Hurts, a guy who was literally the Super Bowl MVP a year ago, didn't complete a single pass in the second half. That happened twice—once in a win against Tampa Bay and once against Buffalo. You can't rely on the "tush push" and Saquon Barkley’s magic forever.
The A.J. Brown Drama
Then there’s the A.J. Brown situation. He had his worst statistical season since joining the team, barely cracking 1,000 yards. The frustration boiled over in the playoff loss, where he and Nick Sirianni were seen arguing on the sideline. After the game, Brown didn't talk to the media. He just shook a few hands and left. It felt like an ending.
Why Eagles Losses This Year Still Matter for 2026
Despite the gloom, this team isn't "broken" in the traditional sense. They won the NFC East. They have the best young cornerback duo in the league with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, both of whom made All-Pro. Mitchell actually had two interceptions in the playoff loss, though the offense could only turn those into three points.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
The window isn't closed, but it's definitely sagging on the hinges.
Howie Roseman has already started moving. Kevin Patullo is out as offensive coordinator. The search is on for someone who can actually maximize Jalen Hurts' $255 million arm. The biggest question remains: what happens with A.J. Brown? Roseman says they want him back, but the vibes are... off.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to make sense of where the Birds go from here, keep an eye on these specific areas. These will dictate whether 2026 is a return to form or more of the same.
- The OC Search: If they hire a "name" coordinator with total autonomy, it means Sirianni is on the hot seat. If they hire another "yes man," expect the same offensive ruts.
- Offensive Line Health: Lane Johnson missed seven games with a Lisfranc injury. At 35, he’s the heartbeat of that line. They need a succession plan now.
- The "Stoic" Quarterback: Jalen Hurts needs to rediscover his 2024 form. His turnover ratio was uncharacteristically high this year, and the "hero ball" in the fourth quarter cost them in Dallas and LA.
The 2025 season was a reality check. Winning back-to-back in the NFL is nearly impossible, and the Eagles found that out the hard way. They have the talent, but as this year proved, talent without execution is just a high-priced disappointment.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the NFL Draft in April. The Eagles have historically used high picks to shore up the trenches, but with the secondary aging and the wide receiver room suddenly feeling "thin," Howie Roseman might have to break his own rules to fix the holes exposed by the Eagles losses this year.