In the aftermath of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 23-19 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, offensive lineman Jordan Mailata turned the tables on reporters during a locker room session, questioning the narrative surrounding the team’s performance. The Eagles have been under fire since their woeful postseason flameout. Media & Fan Reactions This led to rampant speculation about which members of the coaching staff might be replaced and how those changes would affect the team and its trajectory.
The Eagles’ most significant offseason change came on the offensive side of the staff. When Kellen Moore left to take the head coaching position for the New Orleans Saints, they bumped Kevin Patullo up to offensive coordinator. Even with a roster loaded with Pro Bowlers, the Eagles’ offensive production dropped off a cliff. They were second in rushing last season, averaging 27.2 points per game, good for seventh in the league. This season, their scoring regressed to just 22.3 points per game, which ranks an underwhelming 19th in the NFL.
Judge Mailata’s comments illustrated the divide between hopes and reality. He continued, explaining that a lot of the players understood that the offensive scheme had largely remained unchanged from last season’s. “If there are multiple players saying that, why don’t you believe us?” he asked reporters, underscoring a sense of frustration among the team regarding external criticisms. He further added, “I’ll say it like this: It’s easier to blame somebody who gets paid less than your starting people.”
The drop in performance was clear on one metric after the next. Their offensive efficiency plummeted, going from fourth in the league down to 19th. Their rushing attack was off, ranking 18th overall in yards per game (116.9), a drop from 179 yards. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, left tackle Mailata and wide receiver DeVonta Smith all pointed out that playbooks can have completely different terminology even in the same offense. Throughout their presentation, they reiterated that the basic framework does not change.
“Everybody knows that. Everyone in this f
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