Which Eagles players should stay or go next season? Swipe and decide.
// Timestamp 01/20/26 1:02pm
Which Eagles should stay or go next season? Swipe and decide.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert will be a free agent this offseason.
The Eagles’ season ended sooner than expected with a loss to the 49ers in the wild-card round. Now the Birds will try to assemble a roster that can help them get back to their Super Bowl standard.
Beat writer Jeff McLane made his picks on what personnel decisions he sees the team making this offseason, including wide receiver A.J. Brown’s future and whether tight end Dallas Goedert should be back next season.
Make your pick for each player by swiping the cards below — right for Stay, or left for Go. Yes, just like Tinder.
One NFL personnel evaluator told ESPN the likely trading partner will be the Buffalo Bills, who desperately need to acquire talent to help Josh Allen.
“The Bills have to upgrade there — their best receiver is Khalil Shakir, who is a nice player but he’s not a top guy,” the executive told ESPN. “Brown is an immediate upgrade and he’s still young. And the Eagles can build the passing game around DeVonta Smith and a high draft pick.”
Other NFL scouts suggested to Fowler the Eagles could end up trading Brown to the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders.
Brown is under contract through the 2029 season, and trading him would certainly put a dent in the Eagles’ salary cap (though designating it a post-June 1 trade would free up $7 million in cap space). But as Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski pointed out, there would be major long-term savings for the Eagles — over $44 million per season — if they traded him away this offseason.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was noncommittal when asked if he would consider trading Brown.
“It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J. is a great player,” Roseman told reporters at a news conference last week. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for, when we go out here in free agency and in the draft, is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. So that would be my answer.”
Daboll went 20–40–1 (.336) in four seasons with the Giants, and was named NFL Coach of the Year in 2022. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills, where he was credited with the development of Josh Allen.
After firing Sean McDermott, the Bills are reportedly interested in bringing back Daboll. He interviewed with the Tennessee Titans, who ended up hiring former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their next head coach.
Daboll also reportedly interviewed for the vacant offensive coordinator position with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Robert Saleh is headed to the Tennessee Titans to become their next head coach.
And then there were five.
In an offseason that saw 10 head coaching vacancies (tying an NFL record last reached in 2022), four have already been filled.
The latest is former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who has been hired by the Tennessee Titans as their new head coach, according to multiple reports.
Here’s a look at the newest NFL head coaches:
Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski, former Browns head coach
Tennessee Titans: Robert Saleh, former 49ers defensive coordinator
New York Giants: John Harbaugh, former Ravens head coach
Miami Dolphins: Jeff Hafley, former Packers defensive coordinator
Here are the remaining head coaching vacancies across the league:
Eagles have yet to convince Mike McDaniel to interview: sources
Ex-Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is getting a lot of interest from multiple teams.
In the past week, the Eagles have made it known to sources around the league that hiring former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator is their No. 1 offseason priority. That includes fired New York Giants coach Brian Daboll, who is expected to interview for the position this week.
Virtually no amount of money, literally no amount of autonomy, and no fear of conflict would deter the team from signing McDaniel, a respected offensive innovator.
McDaniel and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio endured a rocky year together in 2023, when Fangio worked for McDaniel as his defensive coordinator in Miami, and their split, while couched as a mutual parting of the ways, was not without acrimony.
At any rate, league sources indicate that even though Fangio’s work the last two seasons has been integral and possibly unmatched around the league, if the Eagles were somehow able to hire McDaniel, they would not be deterred by any possible discomfort from Fangio.
Of course, the actual hiring of McDaniel in Philadelphia would be an unexpected coup for the Birds. Right now, he’s a hotter commodity than Venezuelan oil.
League sources say the Eagles have not yet convinced McDaniel to interview, which offers a glimpse into how he considers the Philly job. That said, don’t expect money to be an obstacle. Sources say that, for McDaniel, the position could be worth as much as the $6 million annual salary the Raiders gave Chip Kelly, who then was fired just 11 games into 2025, his first of three seasons under contract. At the end of the season head coach Pete Carroll also was fired, which created the current vacancy.
Latest on Eagles’ search for a new offensive coordinator
Former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard reportedly interviewed with the Birds Monday.
It’s been about a week since the Eagles moved on from offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, and the Birds have been busy interviewing potential replacements.
Here are the offensive coordinator candidates the Eagles have already reportedly interviewed or are scheduled to meet with:
Brian Daboll: The former Giants head coach, reportedly at the top of the Eagles’ wish list, will interview with the team Tuesday, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Josh Grizzard: The former Buccaneers offensive coordinator interviewed with the Birds Monday, according to Jordan Schultz.
Mike Kafka: The former interim head coach and offensive coordinator of the Giants interviewed with the Birds Saturday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Jim Bob Cooter: The Colts offensive coordinator and one-time Birds assistant also interviewed with the Eagles Saturday, according to multiple reports. Colts head coach and former Birds offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is open to letting Cooter pursue an opportunity to call plays, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Zac Robinson: The former Falcons offensive coordinator was the first candidate interviewed by the Eagles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
And here are some coaches the Eagles have either reached out to interview or plan to bring in:
Mike McDaniel: The former Dolphins head coach remains one of the Eagles’ top targets, but has yet to agree to an interview, according to columnist Marcus Hayes.
Eagles defensive coach Christian Parker to interview with Dolphins
Sources: The #Packers will interview #Eagles DBs coach and pass-game coordinator Christian Parker for their vacant DC job after Jeff Hafley took the Dolphins head-coaching position.
Broncos backup Jarrett Stidham will start his first game of the season Sunday against the Patriots.
We’re down to just three games remaining this NFL season, though most Eagles fans bailed following the Birds wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The name you’ll be hearing all week is Jarrett Stidham, the backup replacing starting quarterback Bo Nix, who broke is ankle on the second-to-last play against the Bills Saturday and is out for the rest of the season.
Stidham (who was originally drafted by the Patriots and was once Tom Brady’s backup) will make his first start of the season Sunday. The last time that happened was 53 years ago in 1972, when then-backup Roger Staubach started in place of Craig Morton and played terribly in a lopsided loss to Washington.
“His last pass in a game came two years and two weeks ago,” retired NFL writer Peter King noted in his weekly newsletter.
Here’s the schedule for Sunday’s NFC and AFC Championship games:
No. 2 Patriots at No. 1 Broncos: 3 p.m., CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
No. 5 Rams at No. 1 Seahawks: 6:30 p.m., Fox (Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady. Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi)
Earlier in the week, the Dallas Cowboys reportedly requested permission to interview Eagles defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Christian Parker for their defensive coordinator opening. It now appears that interview is moving forward, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Cowboys plan to bring in Eagles pass game coordinator/DBs Christian Parker for an in-person interview, per sources.
Former Arizona HC Jonathan Gannon and Vikings assistant Daronte Jones also coming in, per @toddarcher
New ‘unCovering the Birds’: What do Lurie and Roseman really think of Sirianni?
Marcus Hayes joined Jeff McLane on the latest episode of “unCovering the Birds.”
There was a lot said during the Eagles’ end-of-season news conference, but nothing stood out more to The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane than a comment general manager Howie Roseman made about his head coach, Nick Sirianni. What did Roseman say, and why was it so noteworthy? Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes joins Jeff as the two read between the lines in this recap of Roseman and Sirianni’s Q&A with reporters.
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
The Eagles are interviewing Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson Friday in Philadelphia as a potential Kevin Patullo replacement, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
It’s Robinson’s third interview, having already met with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.
Robinson, 39, a former NFL quarterback who spent the bulk of his brief career with the Cincinnati Bengals, has been the Falcons’ offensive coordinator for two seasons. Prior to that he spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams under Sean McVay, moving up from an assistant quarterbacks coach to the team’s pass game coordinator.
Kevin Stefanski to have second interviews with multiple teams
Kevin Stefanski is getting a lot of interest from teams this hiring cycle.
It’s looking less and less likely the Eagles will land Philly native Kevin Stefanski as their next offensive coordinator.
The former Cleveland Browns head coach has already interviewed for six head coaching jobs and is scheduled to hold second interviews with multiple teams next week, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“My sense is the Titans, Falcons and Ravens are all potential landing spots for Stefanski,” Pelissero said Friday.
Defensive line coach Clint Hurtt was a key part of the Eagles staff in 2025.
As the NFL draft process gets underway over the next few weeks with the All-Star games circuit, one of the Eagles’ position coaches will get an unique opportunity to be a head coach for a week.
Clint Hurtt, the Eagles’ defensive line coach, will lead the National team at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, which begins practice in Mobile, Ala. on Jan. 27. The event brings in the top draft-eligible players to compete in three practices, culminating in the Senior Bowl game on Jan. 31 at 2:30 p.m. at the University of South Alabama’s Hancock Whitney Staduim.
The 47-year-old Hurtt has spent the last two seasons coaching the D-line for the Eagles. Hurtt began his career at the collegiate level for 11 years before making the jump to the NFL with the Bears in 2014 and spent seven years with the Seahawks in various roles, including as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
It is possible more Eagles assistant coaches will join Hurtt to help him coach at the Senior Bowl. The All-Star game typically gives assistant coaches the opportunity to manage staff, format practices, and assume gameday decisions typically reserved for head coaches. Joel Thomas, a member of former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s staff in New Orleans, will be the head coach of the American team.
Mike McDaniel interviewing for at least two offensive coordinator jobs
Ex-Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is drawing a lot of interest across the NFL.
By the end of the day, former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will have interviewed for at least two offensive coordinator jobs.
Unfortunately, neither will be with the Eagles.
McDaniel is scheduled to interview for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vacant offensive coordinator position Friday, as first reported by Fox Sports reporter Greg Auman. McDaniel also interviewed with the Detroit Lions for their offensive coordinator opening.
That’s on top of at least four teams that have interviewed McDaniel for head coaching jobs – the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, and Baltimore Ravens.
“Since he arrived in Miami in 2022, the Dolphins rank sixth in rushing average at 4.5 yards per attempt,” wrote columnist David Murphy. “He did this while also calling an offense that saw quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throw for 4,624 yards and go 11-6 in 2023.”
An early look at potential Eagles first-round draft picks
Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu could be of assistance for an Eagles trench group that took a step back in 2025.
The last time the Eagles picked in the early 20s range of the NFL draft was two years ago, when the team broke a 22-year streak of not selecting a defensive back in the first round. The player they selected was Toledo defensive back Quinyon Mitchell, who was recently named a first-team NFL All-Pro.
After a disappointing end to their Super Bowl title defense, the Eagles head into the offseason with uncertainty at a few positions, but most of their core is intact.
Could they add younger pieces to an offensive line that struggled? Add some youth to a tight end room that might be without Dallas Goedert next year? Or will the Eagles add to the secondary?
With the Eagles locked into the No. 23 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, barring a trade, here are six players they could target:
A.J. Brown hasn’t spoken with reporters for more than a month.
With questions swirling about his future in Philly, Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown reportedly jumped on social media to share a few cryptic posts before deactivating his account.
94.1 WIP’s Devan Kaney took a screenshot of the two posts Brown shared Thursday evening:
What the posts mean is anyone’s guess. Brown hasn’t spoken to reporters for more than a month and was a no-show when the team cleaned out their lockers.
General manager Howie Roseman called Brown a “great” player but was noncommittal about trading away his star wide receiver.
“It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J. is a great player,” Roseman told reporters Friday. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for, when we go out here in free agency and in the draft, is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. So that would be my answer.”
Where we are on the Eagles’ search for a new offensive coordinator
Former Giants head coach Brian Daboll is a candidate to become the Birds next offensive coordinator.
We’re going on four days since the Eagles moved on from offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, but we still don’t have a clear idea who the team is focused on or planning on interviewing.
Here’s the latest:
On Thursday, Nick Sirianni told reporters they’re looking for an offensive coordinator to help “evolve” the offense. That supports the idea the Eagles are looking for an experienced play caller.
Other names mentioned for the Eagles include former Cleveland Browns head coach (and Philly native) Kevin Stefanski and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, whom the team previously vetted. Here are some other possible candidates.
One potential Eagles candidate is off their list. Former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is reportedly heading to the New York Giants with head coach John Harbaugh.
Eagles OC candidate Mike McDaniel to interview with the Bucs today
Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will interview with the Bucs Friday for their offensive coordinator position, per source. @gregauman had it first.
Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay, seen here in September.
The Eagles might have a second coaching vacancy to fill.
Birds Special teams coordinator Michael Clay interviewed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday for the same position.
“It’s somewhat surprising news because special teams has been decent in the five years Clay has been here and Sirianni has always spoken highly of Clay,” wrote NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank.
Clay, whose contract is up next month, has been with the Eagles since 2021. It’s his second stint with the Birds after starting as a defensive quality control coach in 2014.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni at the NovaCare Complex Thursday.
Unprompted, Howie Roseman listed Nick Sirianni’s responsibilities and accomplishments.
Normally, a head coach one year removed from winning a Super Bowl, who has taken his team to the title game twice, and to the postseason in each of his first five seasons, wouldn’t need to be publicly lionized by his general manager.
But these aren’t normal times and not in Philadelphia. The Eagles got bounced from the playoffs in the first round and the expectations that have risen from recent success — in part because of Sirianni — have helped foster a distorted reality that has been amplified by a culture increasingly shaped by contrarianism, algorithms, and conspiracy.
Roseman heard several questions about the Eagles’ next offensive coordinator when he felt compelled to jump in. He knew where the inquiry was going having sat in the same seat two years ago when Sirianni’s authority seemed diminished and he was asked essentially: What is it exactly that you do here?
The narrative that Sirianni was just a figurehead propped up by Roseman and his coordinators has hung over his tenure — even after winning a championship. But it gained steam again after he removed Kevin Patullo as coordinator on Tuesday, and the question of who will replace him and how much Sirianni will be involved in the offense remains unanswered.
There is truth to the notion that the selection of a pedigreed play-caller who has previously been a head coach — Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll are among the top candidates on the list — will make Sirianni more powerless, perhaps put him on the hot seat as early as next season if things go poorly. Roseman might have been anticipating that narrative when he spoke on Sirianni’s behalf during Thursday’s end-of-season news conference.
Howie Roseman says Eagles will make ‘sacrifices’ this offseason
Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni will have to balance the team’s roster needs with financial pragmatism.
The Eagles are at an interesting point in the state of their roster. They have an aging and expensive offense that is underperforming relative to its cost, and a young and inexpensive defense. That will change soon. Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are in line for extensions. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are right behind them. The Eagles need to improve at edge rusher and have other holes to fill.
“As you get better you have a natural arc of the team, and I think that, when you look at our team, we drafted a lot of offensive players, we re-signed a lot of offensive players,” Howie Roseman said when asked if the team had the resources to keep the players it wants to. “We drafted a lot of defensive guys that were young and on rookie contracts. There’s natural transition in what we do … in terms of where you’re paying your guys, which side of the ball you’re paying your guys who are coming up.
“The important thing for us is, there are players we can’t lose — obviously we’re going to do what’s best for us … but within reason — and that we want to keep around here because they’re really good players, homegrown players that are really good people, that are part of our core. With that, you’re going to have to make sacrifices. That’s on me to make sure the sacrifices we make are filled in with really good players again.”
“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our head, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl and when we fall short I look at myself. I look at the things that I could have done different and I look to improve.”
It was not Roseman’s best offseason coming off of last year’s Super Bowl. The Eagles did not get great production from their 2025 draft class, though they also had a roster without many openings. It’s worth noting that their first two picks in 2024 were All-Pro selections this season, and the jury is still out on their first two picks from the most recent drafts. They did not, however, make adequate upgrades on the edge and twice had to lure players off their couches to join the team before being forced to use a draft pick to acquire Jaelan Phillips. They don’t have obvious answers for what’s next for an aging and declining offensive line.
They need to get younger and cheaper at some positions, but they also have the talent to try to push for another championship. Finding the next offensive coordinator is a big part of that, but roster construction is critical. Roseman’s offseason task is to balance it all.
“You can do whatever it takes to win now and still build for the future and still have those parallel paths,” he said. “I just don’t want it to get confused that we can’t do whatever it takes to build a championship-caliber team next year and also continue to have really good players on this team for the future.”
Murphy: Roseman’s forceful vote of confidence in Sirianni speaks volumes
Eagles GM Howie Roseman shared his support for head coach Nick Sirianni Thursday.
There isn’t a whole lot of literal truth you can glean in most press conference settings. That’s especially true in the NFL, where the shield on the logo carries more than a little metaphorical weight. They are messaging platforms, not intelligence briefings. It can be frustrating. It can also be instructive, in certain moments.
Take Howie Roseman, for instance. On Thursday afternoon, the Eagles general manager was sitting next to Nick Sirianni listening to the head coach wind down an answer to a question about the team’s search for a new offensive coordinators. As soon as Sirianni was finished speaking, several reporters began talking over each other to ask the next question. But Roseman had something he wanted to add, and so he jumped in.
“I’ve got a lot of things I could say about coach and the job that he’s done here,” the general manager said. “I’m incredibly proud of him. He’s shown that when we bring people in he’s open to doing whatever’s best for this football team. That’s all he cares about is winning. When he’s brought in people he’s given them the flexibility to put their own spin on things. Obviously I sit here and I feel incredibly grateful that I’m working with someone who as a head coach is elite at being a head coach, elite at building a connection with our team, elite about talking about fundamentals, game management, situational awareness, bringing the team together, holding people accountable, and when you’re looking for a head coach those are really the job descriptions.”
The strongest votes of confidence are usually the unsolicited ones. It would be hard to interpret Roseman’s statement as anything else. Two years ago, the Eagles did Sirianni a disservice with the way they handled the fallout from their late-season collapse and one-and-done showing in the 2023 playoffs. From their decision to wait nine days to announce that Sirianni would return amidst rampant speculation that his job was in jeopardy, to their external hunt for an offensive coordinator, the Eagles left the impression that the coach was being Office Spaced out of power. Not only was it an indignity, it led to an offseason full of distractions that easily could have metastasized during the Eagles’ 2-2 start to the 2024 season.
This time around, Roseman made it a point to eliminate any doubt. As he should have.
One-time Eagles defensive coordinator might end up back in the NFC East.
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was scheduled to interview with the Washington Commanders Thursday for their defensive coordinator position, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Gannon, fired after three subpar seasons with the Cardinals, is also expected to interview with the Tennessee Titans for their head coaching job Sunday, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
The Commanders are looking for new offensive and defensive coordinators after moving on from Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. following a disappointing 5-12 season one year removed from appearing in the NFC Championship game.
Lane Johnson is under contract with the Eagles through 2027.
All-pro offensive lineman Lane Johnson missed the final eight games of the season, including the wild-card game, after suffering a Lisfranc injury in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said prior to the injury, the 35-year-old was playing “at an elite level,” but couldn’t say whether Johnson would be back with the Birds next season.
“I think all those conversations that we have with our players are between us,” Roseman told reporters. “Obviously, you’re talking about a Hall of Fame player who has been a huge, huge part of any of our success we’ve had. And when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level.”
Eagles GM Howie Roseman called A.J. Brown “a great player.”
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman stopped short of saying the team wouldn’t trade A.J. Brown, but suggested there was still a place on the roster for the star wide receiver.
“It is hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J. is a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for, when we go out here in free agency and in the draft, is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. So that would be my answer.”
Sirianni on what he’s looking for in a new offensive coordinator
In terms of the potential offensive coordinator candidate, Nick Sirianni said he’s looking for someone who will help Jalen Hurts and the offense evolve going into next season.
“I think there are many different ways to be successful on offense, and everybody has different styles, has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful,” Sirianni said. “It’s about going out and finding the guy that best fits us. I’m looking forward to that interview process and being able to go through some really good candidates.”
As for who will call plays, Sirianni said it’s way too early for those decisions to be made.
“This year, I got involved more in the offense as the end of the season came, because that’s what I needed to do as the head football coach,” Sirianni said. “So we’ll see where all that goes as far as that goes. … But we’re not there yet.”
Sirianni on not moving on from Kevin Patullo sooner
Nick Sirianni speaks to reporters Thursday.
Speaking to reporters at an end-of-year news conference Thursday, Nick Sirianni explained why he didn’t move on from offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo during the season as the offense struggled.
“We did some different things as we continued to go through, like I told you guys I did more, got involved more,” Sirianni said. “At the end of the day, I thought I did what was best for the football team.”
“We didn’t reach our goals, so obviously it didn’t work out,” Sirianni added. “I think it’s important to continue to evolve as an offense and that we go out and do what’s best for this football team.”
Sirianni said he appreciated Patullo and everything he brought to the staff during his five years with the team. But said it was time to move Patullo out of the offensive coordinator role.
“At this particular point I just felt like that’s what I needed to do to be the best thing for the football team.”
Nick Sirianni on why he didn’t make a move earlier in the season, and what led to Kevin Patullo’s eventual dismissal: pic.twitter.com/l07WwMnPzO
Watch: Nick Sirianni and Howie Roseman speak to reporters
// Timestamp 01/15/26 12:35pm
Eagles reportedly interested in Ole Miss offensive coordinator
Former Ole Miss offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.
While the Eagles are reportedly seeking an experienced NFL play caller to replace Kevin Patullo, at least one college coach’s name has been linked to the team’s coaching search.
As of now, Weis is following Lane Kiffin to LSU after spending four seasons with him at Ole Miss. Weis was Jaxson Dart’s coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ole Miss and is the son of former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis.
Eagles have a decision to make on their free agent punter
Braden Mann averaged a career-high 49.9 yards per punt in 2025.
A punter is like someone’s breath — you likely only notice it if it stinks.
The Eagles have taken whiffs of poor punters in the past. Just a few years ago, one of the team’s biggest concerns entering the offseason was Arryn Siposs, who struggled in Super Bowl LVII with his botched punt in the fourth quarter that contributed to the Eagles’ loss.
The Eagles don’t have to have that concern anymore. Siposs’ successor, Braden Mann, is fresh off his third season with the Eagles, from which he emerged as the most consistent of the team’s specialists. Mann registered a franchise-best 49.9 yards per punt in 2025 and has averaged 49.5 yards in his Eagles career, the best mark in team history.
Will he have a chance to continue that dominance? Mann, 28, is one of the team’s 19 pending unrestricted free agents. On Monday, even with the season’s demise still fresh, he wasn’t hiding his hopes for the future.
“I’ve loved my time in Philly, and hopefully that continues,” Mann said. “It’s just been a blast for me, personally, just kind of working my craft and seeing what happens. Excited to see any opportunities here or anything that comes.”
Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown hasn’t spoken with reporters in over a month.
Former Eagles center and current ESPN analyst Jason Kelce thinks A.J. Brown needs time to clear his head.
“Aaron Rodgers goes on the darkness retreat? Kelce said on 94.1 WIP Thursday morning. “A.J. needs to step away.”
Like everyone else, Kelce saw the incident on the sideline during the Birds’ wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers, where Brown got into a heated argument with Nick Sirianni.
“The frustration was palpable watching it,” Kelce said. “I don’t think it is completely unwarranted… Some guys just let these things affect them more.”
“Receiver is a very frustrating position, because ultimately there are so many things that need to go right for you to have success on the football field,” Kelce added.
Jason Kelce thinks A.J. Brown needs to step away:
"I think he needs to get away from things. I think that whole team needs to kind of step away for a second and re-evaluate…and get ready to attack it when they all get back together." pic.twitter.com/kUluSMhnyU
Jonathan Gannon lasted just three seasons with the Cardinals.
A familiar name to Eagles fans might not be finished as a head coach yet.
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach and ex-Birds defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will reportedly interview with the Tennessee Titans Sunday, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Gannon went just 15-36 (.294) in three seasons with the Cardinals, and his team was completely uncompetitive in the NFC West (0-6). In fact, the Cardinals lost more games last season (14) than the rest of the NFC West combined (13).
He isn’t the Titans’ only candidate. Tennessee will also reportedly interview former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Potential Eagles offensive coordinator target heading to the Giants
Former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is expected to join John Harbaugh in New York with the Giants, per source. This has always been the plan.
Giants set to hire John Harbaugh as new head coach: reports
The #Giants will spend the morning finalizing a 5-year deal with former #Ravens coach John Harbaugh, making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches. But Harbaugh has accepted the job, as the first opening is filled. pic.twitter.com/AG8s3tpPyz
Eagles reportedly have had some initial talks with coaching candidates
Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is reportedly among the candidates the Eagles are considering for offensive coordinator.
It remains quiet in Philly on the offensive coordinator front nearly two days after the Eagles parted ways with Kevin Patullo
The Birds have yet to announce any interviews with potential candidates, though the team began reaching out to coaches Wednesday, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Two candidates are reportedly at the top of the team’s list – former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel (columnist David Murphy’s favorite) and former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who spent time with Jalen Hurts at Alabama.
Former ESPN and CBS Sports NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Wednesday night initial talks with some candidates “have gone well,” with some looking to make sure they’ll have “complete autonomy” over the Birds’ offense.
All accounts point to the Eagles adding an established play caller. In addition to McDaniel and Daboll, other names mentioned in multiple reports are former Cleveland Browns head coach (and Philly native) Kevin Stefanski and Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, whom the team previously vetted, according to Jeff McLane.
What about QB whisperers Josh McCown or Cam Turner?
Josh McCown has served as the Vikings quarterbacks coach for the last two seasons and was a big part of Sam Darnold’s resurgence in 2024.
The Eagles don’t just need an offensive coordinator. They need a quarterback whisperer.
They need Josh McCown. Or maybe Cam Turner.
Kevin Patullo wasn’t ready for the OC job in Philly, but then, Bill Walsh and Sid Gillman wouldn’t have won a Super Bowl the way Jalen Hurts played in 2025.
Hurts’ development has stalled. He might even be broken. He’s largely the same quarterback at the end of the 2025 season as he was at the end of 2022. Defenses know that, and they exploit it. As the offensive line deteriorated, and as Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown started to show their age, more was asked of Hurts, who delivered ever less.
No, the Eagles don’t just need a play-caller.
They need an offensive coordinator who can invigorate a veteran quarterback whose career is idling. Both McCown, a former Eagles backup quarterback, and Turner, who has the bluest of NFL bloodlines, have done just that.
— KYW Newsradio – NOW ON 103.9 FM! (@KYWNewsradio) January 14, 2026
Jason Kelce clarifies Kevin Patullo comments
Former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo (left) chats with Jason Kelce in December before the Eagles-Rams game.
Former Eagles center Jason Kelce played under Kevin Patullo after he became the team’s passing game coordinator in 2021. A year after Kelce’s retirement in 2024, Patullo was promoted to offensive coordinator for this season.
“The expectations [for the offense] should be much higher than what they put out this season,” Kelce said on the latest episode of New Heights. “I know I made some comments on Monday Night Football, and I do love Kevin Patullo. I’m not trying to absolve him of blame. … The offense wasn’t up to the task this year. It regressed. The main reason it regressed was the run game, and the offensive line’s inability to stay healthy, and to open up holes.”
While removing Patullo as coordinator was one of the franchise’s first moves after Sunday’s 23-19 playoff loss to the 49ers, Kelce suggested that players should also take accountability for the disappointing finale.
“It’s one of the highest-paid offenses in the NFL, and they were mediocre across the board,” Kelce said, echoing some of his comments from Monday. “The bottom line is this offense didn’t live up to what it should have. Patullo, as the offensive coordinator, bears responsibility, and so do the players. …
“I don’t think it’s ever fair to just throw it on one guy. Jalen [Hurts] said it after the game: Right now isn’t the time to put it on any one person.”
“It would probably behoove the Eagles to bring in somebody with a fresh perspective on where it’s at currently,” Kelce said. “When you’re in it, you’re thinking about how you’ve had success in the past. When you bring in somebody else, we can bring in some fresh ideas and find ways to maximize things.
“I don’t think it needs to be anything that drastic. We probably want somebody who’s been proven offensively as a successful coach, and he could come in and look at things under a new lens with a lot of similar pieces.”
The two seasons the Eagles went to the Super Bowl under Nick Sirianni, they had offensive coordinators with experience at the position: Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore, both of whom were hired as head coaches the following year.
It doesn’t look like Aaron Rodgers will be back with the Steelers
Steelers owner Art Rooney on how Mike Tomlin leaving could impact Aaron Rodgers' retirement decision: "Aaron came here to play for Mike, so I think it'll most likely effect his decision."
Cowboys request to interview Eagles’ defensive coach: reports
Christian Parker, Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, seen here ahead of last year’s Super Bowl.
The Dallas Cowboys are on the market for a new defensive coordinator, and it looks like one of their candidates is right here in Philly.
According to multiple reports, the Cowboys have requested permission to interview Christian Parker, the Birds’ passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach. It’s unclear if the Eagles will grant a divisional rival permission to interview one of their coaches.
Parker, who just finished his second season with the Eagles, has been credited with helping improve the Birds’ secondary and the development of Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, both of whom were named All-Pros this season.
Teams were told Mike Tomlin isn’t coaching next season: NFL Network
In the hours after Mike Tomlin told the #Steelers he was stepping downs, teams have contacted Tomlin to express their interest, sources say.
PIT has his rights and draft compensation would be necessary. That said, teams were told Tomlin does not plan to coach next year. pic.twitter.com/Gx1a7grjg7
Kevin Stefanski has completed coaching interviews with three different teams
Kevin Stefanski has now interviewed for three head coaching jobs.
The Miami Dolphins have completed their interview with former Cleveland Browns head coach and Philadelphia native Kevin Stefanski, the team announced Wednesday morning.
Stefanski, among those mentioned as a possible Eagles offensive coordinator candidate, was fired by the Browns after six seasons (45-46) and two NFL Coach of the Year awards. Stefanski’s three playoff games was the most for the franchise since Marty Schottenheimer’s tenure during the mid-1980s.
Stefanski interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons (and new team president Matt Ryan) Sunday. He also had an interview with the Tennessee Titans.
On the NFL Network Wednesday morning, Ian Rapoport didn’t mention any specific candidates to replace offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. But the long-time NFL insider did offer a somewhat cryptic clue about the direction the Eagles could take in their coaching search.
“I would expect the Eagles to swing big,” Rapoport said. “I would also expect them to maybe not go with something that Sirianni has done before, something of a clean break there.”
A “big swing” would be going for an established playcaller, someone like former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, former Cleveland Browns head coach (and Philly native) Kevin Stefanski, or former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel (whom columnist David Murphy prefers).
It could also mean someone who has experience calling plays, like former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury or current Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Nick Foles breakdown of final Eagles’ play of the season is worth listening to
Super Bowl LII MVP Nick Foles knows a thing or two about running a successful offense, and the former Birds quarterback had a few interesting observations about the Eagles’ widely-criticized final play during their wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
This 4 minute breakdown of the Eagles final play from Nick Foles is the best I’ve heard & is absolutely worth a listen.
Potential candidates for Eagles offensive coordinator opening
Former Dolphins Mike McDaniel is among the potential candidates to replace Kevin Patullo.
Jalen Hurts will begin his sixth season as the Eagles’ starting quarterback in September. He is about to have his seventh play-caller.
Kevin Patullo, the 44-year-old, first-time offensive coordinator, was removed from his position on Tuesday in the aftermath of the Eagles’ wild-card exit. Now, Nick Sirianni and the Eagles will be tasked with hiring the team’s next offensive play-caller. The team’s last two internal promotions — Patullo and Brian Johnson — were finished after one season.
If the team decides to fill the vacancy with an outside voice, here are some candidates they could consider:
Brian Daboll, former Giants head coach
Kliff Kingsbury, former Commanders offensive coordinator
McDaniel is one of three coaches on this list have been vetted by the team as far back as the the last regime, according to Jeff McLane: McDaniel, Kingsbury, and Monken.
“Doesn’t mean they’ll interview or even be under consideration — and may not even be available — but would expect the list to be heavily tilted toward proven commodities,” McLane wrote on social media.
Which free agents will the Eagles focus on keeping?
Tight end Dallas Goedert is among a group of high-profile free agents.
As Reed Blankenship noted Sunday in the locker room: “It’s not going to be the same.”
“Who knows where we all end up?” the safety said. “That’s just part of the business side of it. They can’t keep us all. I wish they could.”
Blankenship is one of the Eagles’ nearly two dozen free agents. Like Blankenship, a few are notable players who may not be back.
Let’s start with Dallas Goedert, who had a career year — the most prolific touchdown season in the history of Eagles tight ends. There are zero tight ends on next season’s roster as it stands. Along the offensive line, reserves Fred Johnson, Brett Toth, and Matt Pryor are free agents. So is wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Deeper reserves like running back AJ Dillon, quarterback Sam Howell, and injured fullback Ben VanSumeren are set to hit the market, too.
Blankenship, linebacker Nakobe Dean, and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips are the marquee names among the defensive free agents. Two more starters from Sunday’s game are also scheduled to be free agents: safety Marcus Epps and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson. Other free agents include edge rushers Brandon Graham, Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Ogbo Okoronkwo. Punter Braden Mann’s contract also is up.
As for which players the Eagles will prioritize, it’s not hard to imagine them wanting to rework something with Goedert before they look elsewhere for a tight end. Phillips will be at or near the top of the priority list, too. The Eagles are thin at edge rusher and could use an impact player like Phillips at the top of the depth chart to pair with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith. Blankenship’s position is a priority, but it remains to be seen what his market looks like and what the Eagles decide to do at safety. Rookie Drew Mukuba will be coming off a season-ending injury at one of the safety spots.
As for Dean, he may be the most expendable among the top free-agents-to-be with Jihaad Campbell waiting in the wings.
For a moment, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts sounded a bit like Jason Kelce, without the foul mouth and not wearing a Mummers outfit.
During an NBC event Wednesday in New York City to hype its upcoming broadcasts of the 2026 Super Bowl and Milano Cortina Olympics, Sunday Night Football announcers Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth discussed the teams they might see in Santa Clara next month.
Collinsworth said he was “hedging” a bit but sticking by his prediction the Seattle Seahawks will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. The announcers also mentioned the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers as intriguing possibilities, along with Drake Maye and the bounce-back New England Patriots.
After the panel, Roberts, a Philly native, took the stage and directed some criticism at his company’s top NFL talent over one notable omission.
“Cris and Mike, what the heck? You don’t even mention the Eagles once in the Super Bowl conversation?” Roberts joked. “I’m just a Philly guy, what can I say?”
While we still have the entire NFL playoffs to get through, Comcast-owned NBC is preparing for a busy February that will include broadcasting the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, and the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
While Tirico is an Olympics veteran and has long been praised as one of TV’s best sports announcers, he will be calling his first Super Bowl for NBC. It’s a fitting achievement for the Queens native who was baptized the morning the Packers and Kansas City Chiefs faced off in Super Bowl I.
“This has been a part of my life from truly the beginning of my life,” Tirico said. “To call the game, only a dozen people have done it, it’s the pinnacle of our business.”
Collinsworth: Eagles fans haven’t changed
Philadelphia Eagles fans cheer after the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in Landover, Md.
Collinsworth said NFL fans across the country share one common thread — they all think he hates their team.
That anger lingered into the Birds’ Super Bowl parade, where fans booed Collinsworth during replay of the broadcast airing on TVs along Broad Street.
The animosity is one reason Collinsworth actually looks forward to calling Eagles games, pointing out the passion of Philly fans.
But have Eagles fans become nicer to him since winning two Super Bowls?
“Oh, heck no,” Collinsworth said. “It’s a passionate place, man. I’ll just say that.”
This will be Collinsworth’s sixth Super Bowl in the booth, and his first alongside Tirico. Collinworth’s first Super Bowl was in 2005 for Fox alongside Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, and he’s called four since returning to NBC in 2006 — all alongside former partner and current Amazon play-by-play voice Al Michaels.
“I’m the one dumb enough to replace John Madden twice,” Collinsworth said.
Despite picking the Seahawks to win the NFC, Collinsworth said the conference appears wide open and he could easily see the Eagles making another run to the Super Bowl. But only if they start looking like last year’s squad, where both the offensive and defensive lines were dominant.
“When I see that Philly team again, then I’ll know they’ve got a real shot,” Collinsworth said.
Why Eagles-49ers isn’t airing on NBC
Tom Brady, seen here with Birds’ owner Jeffrey Lurie, will call Sunday’s Eagles-49ers wild-card game on Fox.
NBC and every other network was angling to carry the two stand-out games of wild-card weekend — the Eagles’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers’ game against the Chicago Bears, just the third time the historic teams have met in the playoffs.
NBC got neither. Instead, they got Patriots vs. Justin Hebert and the Los Angeles Chargers.
49ers-Eagles landed on Fox in the Sunday 4:25 p.m. slot, a no-brainer considering last year’s Eagles-Packers game in that spot drew 35.9 million viewers, the most-watched game in the wild-card round. But instead of giving NBC Packers-Bears for the Sunday evening game, they tossed it to Amazon to stream on Prime Video Saturday night.
The move has largely been viewed by sports media pundits as a gift to Amazon as the NFL seeks to renegotiate its TV deals before they’re able to opt out in 2029. But it will also be the tech giant’s final NFL game in a season where they averaged 15.3 million viewers game, increasing the likelihood we’ll see a streamer land a Super Bowl during the next decade.
In addition to the Super Bowl, NBC will also broadcast one of the four divisional-round playoff games. If the Eagles win Sunday, they’ll hit the road to face Bears or host the Rams or Carolina Panthers at the Linc.
Tirico has been bullish on the Eagles, despite the Birds’ well-documented offensive struggles. During last Sunday’s broadcast, Tirico pointed out Jalen Hurts, last year’s Super Bowl MVP, is quietly lurking out there as Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and other quarterbacks dominate the conversation.
“There’s something about this Eagles’ team that I think even people in Philadelphia want to be a little skeptical of,” Tirico said. “But this team might be just as good as last year, and I can see them getting on a roll, 1,000%.”
And the possibility of an Eagles-Rams divisional playoff game landing on NBC?
“That would be awesome,” Tirico said.
Full wild-card TV schedule
window.addEventListener(“message”,function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}});
Other NBC notes
Beginning with their Chargers-Patriots wild-card game Sunday night, NBC will introduce a new graphics presentation that will include players’ hometowns, something they’re pulling in from their Olympics coverage. “We want to tell stories. We want to make you feel something about the human being inside that uniform,” Collinsworth said.
Sunday Night Basketball will debut on NBC Feb. 1, with Tirico joining the broadcast following the Olympics. So far, the Sixers aren’t slated to appear on Sunday Night Basketball, but that could change as the season moves forward.
Sunday Night Baseball, which is ending its 36-season run with ESPN, will begin on NBC at the end of May, following the Western Conference finals. Tirico has no immediate plans to call baseball games, but said “at some point I would like to.”
One Trump supporter’s journey from a mall kiosk to a Bucks County strip mall is coming to an end this month.
The “Trump Store,” a Bensalem spot for merchandise and knickknacks celebrating President Donald Trump, is closing its doors after six years in business. The store’s final day is Jan. 31.
Mike Domanico, who co-owns the store with his wife, Monica, remains an ardent supporter of the president. But business is business, and Domanico said sales have declined since Trump returned to the White House, forcing the “tough decision” to shut down.
“Business has slowed down some because there’s not really much action going on with Trump,” Domanico said. “It’s time.”
There were other factors. The store’s lease is up in February, and Domanico wants to devote more of his time to a booming side business selling gun show merchandise.
Domanico said Trump’s tariffs on imported goods haven’t impacted his business at all.
“Any of the stuff I buy is priced the same as it was before all the tariffs took effect,” Domanico said.
Michael Domanico and his wife, Monica, seen here in 2020 during the grand opening of their Trump Store in Benaslem.
The store began its closeout sale on Tuesday, Jan. 6, exactly five years to the day when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to overturn the 2020 election results. Everything’s on sale, from shirts featuring the president as an Eagles player to hats promoting a fictitious 2028 reelection campaign barred by the U.S. Constitution.
Domanico opened a sister Trump Store in Chalfont in July 2022, but closed it last year due to issues with the landlord and some vandalism. He has two full-time employees helping him run the store.
In his six years selling Trump merchandise, Domanico said the only tough year was after the 2020 election. Following his second impeachment, Trump appeared to lose support from most Republicans, and sales at the store slowed.
“I stuck with it because I knew he was going to run again, and it worked out very well,” Domanico said.
Trump Store manager Lisa von Deylen, seen here replenishing the store’s inventory in May 2024.
Sales grew during the final years of Joe Biden’s tenure, fueled by Trump becoming the first former president indicted for a crime. “Free Trump” shirts became a particularly hot seller, and the store saw a spike in sales when the president’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., was raided by FBI agents.
While many Bucks County residents appear to have soured on the president and his policies, Domanico isn’t among them.
“I think his second term has been great,” Domanico said. “I know the liberal media turns everything around, making it look bad, but he’s doing some great stuff. I love it.”
For the NFL teams that made the playoffs, this is just another Monday of preparation for the next game, as coaches now have their eyes set on a Lombardi Trophy. For the teams that ended their regular seasons this week, it’s Black Monday — a day when big changes are made on the coaching side, with teams hoping for a better result next season.
Last year, there were seven coaching changes, but only one coach was fired on Black Monday: former Eagles coach Doug Pederson, who was let go by the Jacksonville Jaguars after a 4-13 season, his third with the team. This year, four coaches have already been let go since the regular season ended Sunday night.
It started with the Atlanta Falcons firing Raheem Morris on Sunday night. On Monday, three more coaches were dismissed: Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals), Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns), and Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders).
Two coaches didn’t even make it to the end of the season. Brian Daboll and Brian Callahan were fired by the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans, respectively, during the season.
That brings the total to six coaching changes, one behind last year — but it’s still early. Here’s a closer look at the four coaches fired since Sunday.
Jonathan Gannon
Gannon was the latest to get fired on Black Monday. The 42-year-old coach was hired from the Eagles in 2023, signing a five-year deal that drew allegations of tampering against the Cardinals because of the timing of hiring, so quickly after the Eagles’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. The issue was resolved by swapping draft picks.
Now, the Cardinals have parted ways with the former Eagles defensive coordinator after a 15-36 record (.294) over three seasons. This season, the Cardinals finished with a 3-14 record, the worst of Gannon’s tenure, losing more games than the rest of the NFC West combined (13).
Pete Carroll was fired after one season with the Raiders.
Pete Carroll
While the Cardinals gave Gannon three seasons to try to get the team together, the Raiders weren’t so patient with Carroll, who was fired after just one.
Las Vegas was one of four teams with a 3-14 record this season, but thanks to tiebreakers, the Raiders will have the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft. They had already fired offensive coordinator (and former Eagles coach) Chip Kelly during the season. Of the 3-14 teams, only New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn remains.
Notably, Raiders minority owner Tom Brady — who will be on the call for the Eagles’ wild-card game Sunday on Fox — will be part of the search for a new head coach in Las Vegas.
Kevin Stefanski had a .446 winning percentage in six seasons leading the Browns.
Kevin Stefanski
A day after Browns fans celebrated Myles Garrett breaking the single-season sack record, they woke up to news that Stefanski, a former two-time NFL coach of the year, had been added to the unemployed list after six seasons in Cleveland.
Overall, Stefanski went 45-56 (.446) with the Browns, the franchise’s best winning percentage since Bill Belichick’s short tenure in Cleveland in the early 1990s (not counting the eight games Gregg Williams served as the team’s interim coach in 2018).
The Falcons fired Morris, along with general manager Terry Fontenot, even though Atlanta ended the season with four consecutive wins and tied for first place in the NFC South with an 8-9 record. It was Morris’ second straight 8-9 finish.
Philly sports talkers are likely to debate the decision all week, but what’s done is done. The Eagles will enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, a position that has produced surprisingly few Super Bowl teams.
Wharton professor Deniz Selman crunched the numbers. Since 1975, when the current playoff seeding began, just five No. 3 seeds have made it through the playoffs and ended up in the Super Bowl. By comparison, 55 No. 1 seeds, 24 No. 2 seeds, and 11 No. 4 seeds have made it to the big game.
window.addEventListener(“message”,function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}});
The most recent No. 3 seed to advance to the Super Bowl was the Kansas City Chiefs, who made it to Super Bowl LVIII in the 2023 season and defeated the No. 1 San Francisco 49ers.
The Eagles’ four Super Bowl appearances have all come as either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, including last year’s victory against the Chiefs.
window.addEventListener(“message”,function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}});
The Eagles were the No. 3 seed in 2013, but they lost to the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card round at Lincoln Financial Field. They also didn’t advance past the wild-card round as a No. 3 seed in 2010, while in 2006 their postseason run ended in the divisional round.
The Birds made it to the NFC championship game as the No. 3 seed during the 2001 playoffs, but lost to the then-St. Louis Rams, 29-24 when Aeneas Williams intercepted Donovan McNabb with less than two minutes remaining.
Here are the five NFL teams that entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed and advanced to the Super Bowl:
The game is scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 p.m. on Fox.
The Eagles missed out on a chance to land the No. 2 seed, which they had an opportunity to snag after the Detroit Lions defeated the Chicago Bears Sunday.
The final playoff spot was claimed in dramatic fashion Sunday night, with the Pittsburgh Steelers edging out the Baltimore Ravens in a wild fourth-quarter that saw three lead changes. As a result, the Steelers win the AFC North and will host the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
Despite losing Saturday night, the Carolina Panthers were crowned NFC South champions Sunday, thanks to the Atlanta Falcons’ win against the New Orleans Saints.
The Jacksonville Jaguars won the AFC South by defeating the Tennessee Titans Sunday, but missed out on landing the No. 1 seed, which went to the Denver Broncos for the first time since 2015, when they won Super Bowl 50.
The Seattle Seahawks claimed the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed with their 13-3 win against the San Francisco 49ers Saturday night.
Which team will the Eagles play in the playoffs?
Brock Purdy and the 49ers will face the Eagles at the Linc in the wild-card round.
As the No. 3 seed, the Eagles will host the 49ers in the wild card round.
The 49ers missed out on winning the NFC West Saturday night, losing to the Seahawks. They dropped down to the No. 6 seed after the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals Sunday.
2026 wild-card playoff schedule
Here is the full schedule for the wild-card round of the playoffs, which the NFL announced Sunday night:
window.addEventListener(“message”,function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}});
The No. 1 seed Seahawks and No. 1 seed Broncos get byes, and will host the lowest-remaining team during the divisional round of the playoffs.
NFC playoff picture
window.addEventListener(“message”,function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}});
The Panthers clinched the NFC South Sunday, claiming the NFC’s final playoff spot.
Despite the Panthers losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday night, the Falcons’ win against the Saints created a three-way tie at 8-7 atop the NFC South. The tiebreaker fell to their head-to-head record, with the Panthers (3-1) edging out the Buccaneers (2-2) and Falcons (1-3).
Here how the NFC playoffs will look:
No. 1 seed: Seahawks
No. 2 seed: Bears
No. 3 seed: Eagles
No. 4 seed: Panthers
No. 5 seed: Rams
No. 6 seed: 49ers
No. 7 seed: Packers
AFC playoff picture
window.addEventListener(“message”,function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}});
The Broncos claimed the AFC’s No. 1 seed by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday.
The win drops the New England Patriots down to the No. 2 seed, with the Jaguars claiming the AFC South and the No. 3 seed.
The Steelers won the AFC North for the first time since 2020 and enter the playoffs as the No. 4 seed.
Here how the AFC playoffs will look:
No. 1 seed: Broncos
No. 2 seed: Patriots
No. 3 seed: Jaguars
No. 4 seed: Ravens
No. 5 seed: Texans
No. 6 seed: Bills
No. 7 seed: Chargers
Full 2025 NFL playoff schedule
Wild-card round: Saturday, Jan. 10, to Monday, Jan. 12
Divisional round: Saturday, Jan. 17, to Sunday, Jan. 18
Super Bowl LX (or 60, for those who don’t like Roman numerals) is being held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., home of the San Francisco 49ers. NBC will broadcast this year’s Super Bowl, with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth on the call.
Here are the sites announced for future Super Bowls:
While the Eagles are prioritizing next week’s wild-card game, Sunday’s matchup against the Commanders is the sole focus of one announcer who grew up rooting for the Birds.
Tucker, a Wyomissing native and former NFL offensive lineman, has called a number of Eagles games on radio for Westwood One, where he’s worked since 2015. But Sunday will be his first chance broadcasting a Birds game on TV for CBS.
“It’s super cool for me on multiple levels,” Tucker said. “I grew up an Eagles fan, and all my friends are Eagles fans, so this will be really neat for them.”
It’s a stroke of luck on many fronts. Ordinarily, Tucker works games on CBS’s No. 6 crew alongside Phillies announcer Tom McCarthy. But Harlan’s normal broadcast partner, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green, is off this weekend to attend his son’s wedding, opening a slot for Tucker.
Despite that, the Eagles game wasn’t on Tucker’s radar, since Fox traditionally is the home of NFC games. But under new TV deals that began in 2021, the NFL is only required to schedule one of each NFC divisional matchup on Fox, which aired Eagles-Commanders in Week 16.
Tucker didn’t know he landed the Birds game until CBS announced their broadcast lineups Tuesday.
“I knew I was doing the game with Kevin for about three or four weeks, but I had no idea it would turn out to be the Eagles game,” Tucker said. “It’s really fortuitous.”
This will be the first game Tucker and Harlan have called together on TV, but the two have been paired on radio a bunch on Westwood One, including for playoff games. Harlan has called games alongside plenty of analysts during his 40-year career, but thinks Tucker’s insight as a former offensive lineman in a broadcasting world dominated by former quarterbacks is enlightening.
“Ross picks up nuance and the right way to capture what a line is doing or not doing, and I just find that refreshing,” Harlan said.
With the Eagles resting their starters, it turned out to be a prescient move by CBS to turn to Tucker, who watched every preseason snap and knows the Birds’ backups better than most. Harlan also calls preseason games for the Green Bay Packers, but that won’t help him much when it comes to the Birds’ backups.
“It’s a great challenge to come in and do a bunch of players I’m not really familiar with,” Harlan said. “I’m probably going to let Ross kind of lead things that he finds interesting to get the ball rolling, and then we’ll let the game take it from there.”
Calling Sunday’s Eagles game certainly is a milestone for Tucker, but he remains a workhorse. In addition to calling NFL games for CBS and Westwood One (where he’ll broadcast playoff games), he calls college football games and continues to host the daily Ross Tucker Football Podcast. He also nearly replaced Angelo Cataldi as the morning host on 94.1 WIP, but a daily commute from Reading to Philadelphia for a 6 a.m. show wasn’t in the cards.
“I still feel like I’m just grinding and trying to move up the ranks and doing the best I can,” Tucker said.
Ross Tucker (right) called NFL games on CBS in 2025 alongside Phillies announcer Tom McCarthy.
Tucker’s only regret is not being able to call his first Eagles game alongside McCarthy. The two have been friends since McCarthy called Tucker’s college football games at Princeton. And McCarthy, in his 12th season calling NFL games for CBS, has yet to land the Eagles, though he remains the only announcer not named Jim Nantz to call a game with Tony Romo.
“He is the best,” McCarthy said of Tucker. “Just a tremendous partner. We have had such an amazing year.”
But McCarthy has a nice consolidation prize. He will be in Cincinnati Sunday calling the Bengals’ matchup against the Cleveland Browns, where he’ll have the chance to voice Myles Garrett breaking the NFL’s single-season sack record (22), currently held by Michael Strahan.
Where on TV is Eagles-Commanders airing
Among other places, Sunday’s Eagles game is airing in Tampa, where a lot of Birds fans call home.
This season, the Eagles have had their fair share of nationally televised games. That won’t be the case Sunday.
In addition to the Philadelphia TV market, Eagles-Commanders also is airing in Washington, D.C., and throughout most of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The game also will be available on CBS in Tampa, Fla., which an outsized number of Eagles fans call home.
It’s airing in two TV markets home to teams the Eagles have a chance of facing in the first round of the playoffs — San Francisco and Green Bay, along with most of Minnesota and all of Detroit.
It’ll also broadcast in Chicago, where Bears fans will be flipping to see which team ends up with the No. 2 seed.
Los Angeles Rams fans will be out of luck, though. While the Eagles likely will face the Rams, CBS2 in Los Angeles is locked into airing the Chargers’ game against the Denver Broncos, where the AFC’s No. 1 seed is on the line.
Other NFL games airing Sunday in Philadelphia
D’Andre Swift and the Bears will lock down the No. 2 seed with a win Sunday.
Eagles fans in Philadelphia will get plenty of games Sunday impacting the playoffs.
Saturday night on ESPN, Carolina Panthers-Tampa Bay Buccaneers will likely decide the winner of the NFC South (although the Atlanta Falcons could play spoilers Sunday) while the winner of Seattle Seahawks-San Francisco 49ers will claim the NFC West crown and the No. 1 seed.
Sunday afternoon, Fox will air Detroit Lions-Chicago Bears at 4:25 p.m. If the Eagles win and the Bears lose, the Birds will head to the playoffs as the No. 2 seed and host the Packers in the wild-card round. Otherwise the Birds will be the No. 3 seed and face the 49ers or Rams.
Sunday night, NBC has a win-or-go-home game in the Baltimore Ravens at the Pittsburgh Steelers. The winner heads to the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 4 seed.
Here are the games airing on TV in and around Philadelphia in Week 18:
Saturday
Panthers at Buccaneers: 4:30 p.m., ESPN (Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick, Katie George, Peter Schrager)
Seahawks at 49ers: 8 p.m., ESPN/6abc (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters, Laura Rutledge)
Sunday
Packers at Vikings: 1 p.m., CBS3 (Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Aditi Kinkhabwala)
