The Philadelphia Eagles finally delivered to the city and its fans a Super Bowl championship following the 2017 NFL season.
Anyone who lived in the vicinity of Philadelphia felt the impact of this event with the massive parade in downtown Philadelphia.
🍾 Great Memories!
Eagles Super Bowl Parade 2 Years Ago Today! 🎊
@6abc #SuperBowl #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/pXES8RDprn— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) February 9, 2020
It is a tough task to repeat as Super Bowl champions; most have failed, and only the New England Patriots achieved the feat in recent years.
However, no one could foresee the drop off the Eagles would experience after the Super Bowl win.
In the three seasons since the Super Bowl, the Eagles have gone 22-25-1.
There was only one playoff appearance in the Wild Card round following the 2019 season; the Eagles were eliminated by the Seattle Seahawks.
Here are three reasons why the Eagles never got close to repeating their achievements of the 2017 season; the fall from grace was swift and painful causing the whole organization to implode.
3. Nagging Injuries
The Eagles always have injuries.
While injuries are an issue for all NFL teams, it seems to be a constant plot twist for the Eagles.
The Philadelphia Eagles are leading the league in injuries again and the season hasn't even started yet. It's like they're all drumming for Spinal Tap or something.
"What happened to Will Parks?"
"Spontaneous combustion." pic.twitter.com/n0PeA1Korv
— Keith Schweigert (@K_Schweigert) September 2, 2020
These are not the small injuries either.
This could be attributed to the overall age of the team which is admittedly an older roster than other NFL teams.
Some wonder if there is an issue with the strength and conditioning program within the organization.
Regardless, the Eagles have been decimated by significant players suffering long-term injuries since the 2017 season.
hospitals have fewer injuries than the Philadelphia Eagles
— Korked Bats (@korkedbats) January 5, 2020
2. QB Carson Wentz Was Never The Same
Carson Wentz never tore his ACL in 2017? 🤔 https://t.co/fxMaPeIrMy
— PFF PHI Eagles (@PFF_Eagles) June 18, 2021
Speaking of injuries, QB Carson Wentz was on a miraculous run in 2017.
Before he suffered his season-ending ACL injury, he was considered a frontrunner for NFL MVP.
Wentz never regained that 2017 form when returned back on the field after Nick Foles led the team to the Super Bowl win.
It was never clear if there was a physical or mental impediment for him.
His mobility and footwork were notorious but looked belabored after he came back.
It could not help that the Eagles erected a statue to backup quarterback Foles (with coach Doug Pederson) on the grounds of Lincoln Financial Field.
Foles achieved iconic legendary status in Philadelphia for his stellar play at the end of the 2017 season and throughout the playoffs.
2 years later both Nick Foles and Doug Pederson are gone. Nice statue, though… pic.twitter.com/vOmiIj0nTx
— Chris Meaney (@chrismeaney) January 11, 2021
1. OC Frank Reich Left
After the Super Bowl victory, Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich left the team to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
It is normal for a coaching staff to disband and a team to rebuild, but the Eagles after Reich left were not the same.
The Eagles offense looked foreign and must have felt that way for Wentz also.
Enough was enough after the 4-11-1 2020 season.
Head coach Doug Pederson was fired three short years after leading the team to the championship.
Wentz, once considered the franchise quarterback of the Eagles, was traded to the Colts where he is reunited with Reich.
Carson Wentz and Frank Reich will be the next Drew Brees and Sean Payton.
Here, I’ll do it myself: @OldTakesExposed
— Dennis (@daddyffl) June 17, 2021
Veteran defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz decided to leave the team after 2020 also; he is now a senior defensive assistant for the Tennessee Titans.
The revamped Eagles, with different faces wearing headsets on the sidelines, and second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts, will try to put the pieces back together for another championship run in 2021.
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