If you’ve ever sat in the upper deck at the Linc, you know the vibe. It is loud. It is hostile. It is beautiful. But by the time the 2025 season wrapped up with that frustrating 23-19 Wild Card loss to the 49ers, the noise felt a little different. People were asking questions. Is the window closing? Who is actually carrying this team?
Being one of the Philadelphia Eagles top players isn't just about having a high rating in a video game. It’s about surviving the most demanding fanbase in professional sports while producing All-Pro numbers. This past year showed us that while the roster is changing, the "core" is as talented as anything we’ve seen in the South Philly era.
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The Engine Room: Jalen Hurts and the Offensive Identity
Honestly, Jalen Hurts is a polarizing guy for some reason. I don't get it. The man just put up 33 total touchdowns in 2025.
People love to point at the six interceptions or the 64.8% completion rate and say he’s regressing. They’re wrong. You have to look at the context. The Eagles spent much of the year searching for an offensive rhythm, yet Hurts still managed 3,224 passing yards and another 421 on the ground. He is the heartbeat. When he’s "on," like that Week 7 masterclass against Minnesota, he looks like the best dual-threat in the league.
There’s a specific kind of pressure on a Philly QB. Hurts handles it better than almost anyone since McNabb. He’s 27 now, in his prime, and while the "Tush Push" (or Brotherly Shove, whatever you want to call it) still notched him 8 rushing touchdowns, his growth as a pocket passer is what actually keeps defensive coordinators awake at night.
The Saquon Barkley Factor: Was it Worth the Hype?
Short answer: Yes.
Long answer: Absolutely, yes.
When Howie Roseman snatched Saquon Barkley away from the Giants, half of New York lost their minds and half of Philly worried about his injury history. In 2025, Barkley silenced both groups. He finished the regular season with 1,140 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. More importantly, he became the ultimate safety valve for Hurts, hauling in 37 catches.
His impact isn't just the 4.1 yards per carry. It’s the way he forces teams to keep a safety in the box. You saw it in the regular-season finale against Washington—Barkley had 106 yards and basically iced the game by himself. He’s 28 now, and while some worry about the "running back wall," he still looks like he has that 4.4 speed when he hits the second level.
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The Dynamic Duo: A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith
It is rare to see two receivers hit 1,000 yards in the same season. It’s even rarer to see them do it three times in four years.
- A.J. Brown: 78 catches, 1,003 yards, 7 TDs.
- DeVonta Smith: 77 catches, 1,008 yards, 4 TDs.
The numbers are almost identical. It’s wild. Brown is the physical specimen who catches hitches and turns them into 50-yard sprints. Smith is the technician, the "Slim Reaper" who makes toe-drag catches on the sideline that shouldn't be physically possible.
There’s been some drama lately—rumors about A.J. Brown’s future and whether he’s happy. Ian Rapoport even mentioned that "nothing is impossible" regarding a trade. But if you’re looking at pure talent, these two are the gold standard for Philadelphia Eagles top players. Taking either one of them off this field would be a disaster for this offense.
The New Guard: Mitchell and DeJean
If the offense is the engine, the secondary was the shiny new paint job in 2025. And man, did it shine.
Quinyon Mitchell is a freak. There is no other way to put it. The guy didn't allow a single touchdown pass in the regular season. Not one. He finished as a First-Team All-Pro, which is a massive achievement for a second-year corner. The weirdest part? He has zero regular-season interceptions but four in the playoffs. He’s basically a postseason specialist at this point.
Then you have Cooper DeJean. He’s the Swiss Army Knife. He finished 2025 with 93 tackles and 2 interceptions. Seeing him and Mitchell dominate the All-Pro list together feels like the start of a new "No Fly Zone" in Philly. Between them and Jalen Carter—who is still a one-man wrecking crew on the interior with 3 sacks in a "down" year—the defense finally has a young, cheap core to build around.
The "Dirty Work" Stars
You can't talk about the best Birds without mentioning the guys in the trenches.
- Jordan Davis: He’s 336 pounds and somehow plays 80% of the snaps. He had 72 tackles this year, which is insane for a nose tackle.
- Zack Baun: Talk about a breakout. 123 total tackles. He was everywhere. He might be the most underrated signing in the entire NFL from the last few years.
- Dallas Goedert: Even with a crowded receiving room, Goedert snagged 60 balls and led the team with 11 total touchdowns (including a rushing one!). He is still a top-5 TE in this league when healthy.
What This Means for 2026
The talent is there. The Eagles have the stars. What they lacked in 2025 was the connective tissue—the coaching and the late-game execution that cost them in the Wild Card round.
If you're tracking this team, keep an eye on the offensive coordinator search. With names like Zac Robinson and Brian Daboll floating around, the goal is clear: maximize Jalen Hurts.
The defense is set. Mitchell and DeJean are stars. Jalen Carter is a Pro Bowler. If the Eagles can find a way to keep A.J. Brown happy and Saquon Barkley healthy, they aren't just a playoff team—they’re a Super Bowl favorite.
Next Steps for the Birds:
- Finalize the OC: The team needs a scheme that doesn't rely solely on "hero ball" from Hurts or Brown.
- Address the Edge: With Brandon Graham's legendary career winding down (16 seasons!), finding a consistent pass rush partner for Jalyx Hunt is priority number one.
- Manage the Cap: Howie Roseman needs to work his magic with the A.J. Brown contract to ensure the "Core Four" stay together through 2026.