Championship windows close quickly in the NFL, but you guys already know that. Each Super Bowl appearance could be the last one an organization enjoys for a while. That's why teams must make the most of their chance upon arrival. Another opportunity is never promised.
It took 24 years for Philly to get back to the big game after losing to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl 15... And, then they lost SB 39... That's why another appearance (and win) 13 years later still ranks as one of the best moments of all our lives.
Make no mistake. This run of three Super Bowl appearances and two wins on the big stage in eight years has been more than special. While it's too early to tell, it feels like the Birds might be able to add another, but be careful. We also believed that about the 'Legion of Boom'.
Examine Philly's roster, and despite all the losses of this offseason, you can rest easy about something. There's star power at almost every position, and the Eagles' leadership is second to none.
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Here are a handful of Eagles we haven't discussed much as of late who will potentially enjoy breakout seasons.
The NFL's salary cap and relentless pursuit of parity guarantees us that, more often than not, most teams won't field a perfect roster. It's easy to like Philly's chances for the coming season though:
Their quarterback is elite. So is their RB1. They have the best O-line and wide receiver duo on Planet Earth. We'll see how things go at the tight end position.
Vic Fangio's defense is also stacked: Two young stars in the making along the edge (Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt), the best young interior defensive lineman in the game (Jalen Carter), and a nice rotation behind him (Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo).
Zack Baun returns after an All-Pro season. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are going to be stars. There's a lot to be excited about in the backend of the defense.
The Birds are loaded with star power. If one or two of the lesser-mentioned or forgotten Eagles step up and enjoy a breakout season, Philly could be primed for another deep postseason run.
Here are a few guys to watch out for in 2025.
Jahan Dotson, wide receiver
Sometimes, we forget the rival Washington Commanders drafted Jahan Dotson in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. That means Philly can exercise a fifth-year option on his rookie deal to keep him in town for one more year after this season.
Seemingly, the only way that happens is if Jahan balls out this year with a breakout season. The Birds are expected to move on from Dallas Goedert, and after seeing Jalen Hurts and Dotson build some chemistry toward the end of last year, the other former Penn State star could earn a few more opportunities in this offense.
Bryce Huff, edge rusher
Okay, stop laughing... We know how some of you feel about Bryce Huff, but we still own Dick Vermeil levels of optimism.
Bryce hasn't given us reason to believe he's capable of anything other than what we've already seen from him. He doesn't play the run well, and that's why he ultimately fell out of favor with Vic Fangio. Still, we aren't quite ready to put him out to pasture. This is the year! We hope...
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., linebacker
Fangio has spoken highly about Jeremiah Trotter Jr. each time he's been asked about him. Oren Burks is gone, so it feels like Trot is the next man up, and with there being no guarantees that Nakobe Dean will be ready for Week 1 of the coming season, Philly's newest 'Axe man' could be someone to pay attention to.
Will Shipley, running back
Saquon Barkley will again get the bulk of the carries in this Eagles offense, as he should, but we hope he isn't overworked as he was last year. That's presumably why A.J. Dillon has been added, to shoulder the load and handle some of those tough carries in between the tackles. Will Shipley returns for his second NFL season.
Shipley will be asked to make the transition from Kenny Gainwell a smooth one. The former Clemson star fielded six kickoffs last season. He averaged 28.8 yards per return.
He may also be a better receiver than Kenny G was. In 2024, he hauled in all four of his targets and turned two of those receptions into first downs.
Azeez Ojulari, edge rusher
Azeez Ojulari hasn't played a full season since his rookie year in 2021, but he's coming off of a season where he started five of 11 in-game appearances and notched 28 tackles and six sacks.
He won't be on the field 100% of the time. He'll be a part of an edge-rushing rotation that features the aforementioned Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Bryce Huff. Josh Uche is also in the mix.
What are the chances that another former New York Giant will do wonders for this Eagles roster? We think the chances are high. Keep an eye on this young man.