Eagles
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
External and possibly internal forces are attacking the 2026 Philadelphia Eagles’ season. With their 2026 season in peril, now more than ever, they could use a special ensemble, marvelous even, to save the day. If Nick Sirianni embraces his “fury” and emerges from the NovaCare Complex tomorrow morning with an eyepatch, empowered to assemble a team built to defeat the looming threat of NFL mediocrity, I have an idea of who his Avengers may be. He needs them to show up, or it’ll be doomsday for him.
Now, I didn’t include Jalen Hurts because, duh! Quarterback is the most important position in sports; teams are often only as successful as the player under center, except for the currently lopsided Minnesota Vikings, a team that reminds me of the movie Twins: a defense built like Arnold Schwarzenegger and an offense built like Danny DeVito. So yes, Captain Obvious: if Jalen plays well, they’re in good shape, but Iron Man couldn’t defeat Thanos alone. He’ll need to bring together a group of remarkable people and see if they can become something more.
4. Landon Dickerson
The start to this season was less than ideal for the All Pro Guard. Dickerson performed so poorly in the season opener against Washington, that he gave a soft press release following the game in which he essentially benched himself due to injury. I wholeheartedly believe players-coach Nick Sirianni would not have protected Landon from himself and instead chose to trust his guy to work through it, so I applaud Dickerson for being vulnerable and taking accountability. Unfortunately, his absence indirectly led to Cam Jurgens being traded to Baltimore and though Willie Lampkin is a DAWG, battling the likes of titan-sized men in the trenches at his size doesn’t seem sustainable. The Eagles want to, and need to, effectively run the ball. It is the stump of the offensive tree and every concept branches off of the run game. The offense has struggled particularly because there is no run game. If Dickerson can get healthy and return to his All-Pro form, he’ll open up holes and the offense at large.
3. Devonta Smith
For how slim he is compared to NFL players, Smitty is typically healthy year in and year out. He’s been sidelined for a few weeks now, and I know Jalen Hurts is feeling his absence. Following AJ Brown’s departure, most of us knew Devonta Smith was overqualified to be a WR1 despite the national media’s uncertainty. Smith outgained Brown by five yards in his final year as an Eagle and was only one reception short of his total. In Week 2 against the Titans, he was targeted 13 times and caught 10 receptions, and unsurprisingly, that was the last time the offense looked like a well-oiled machine. Devonta does everything a true WR1 can do: extensive route tree, soft hands, climb the ladder for the ball- you name it. Hurts’ needs to trust his receivers. Makai Lemon is a rookie. Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown have only been here for a few months. Darius Cooper is gaining trust in Smith’s absence but the Hurts & Smith connection needs to reconnect if the Eagles want to accomplish anything meanwhile this season.
2. Jalen Carter
Jalen Carter is the Hulk. When he gets angry, he smashes guards, running backs, quarterbacks, and anyone else along his path. Earlier in the season, Carter was nursing a hairline wrist fracture and didn’t look like the defensive tackle the Eagles signed to a 4-year, $152 million contract in July. Games are won in the trenches, and similar to the offensive side of the ball, the linemen weren’t performing up to standard. Then, it was reported that Carter had been wearing a wrist cast that greatly limited his ability to shed blocks and execute rush moves.
However, this past Sunday in London, Carter freed his hand, wearing a more functional wrist guard, and thus freed himself. He exploded for two sacks, two forced fumbles, three pressures, and three tackles for loss, all before the 3rd quarter. Carter was a Hulk in a china shop, severely hampering Liam Coen’s offense. When Carter performs like that the sky is the limit. Jalen Carter’s sack of Matthew Stafford in the 2024 NFC Divisional Round saved our season then. We need him to bring that same intensity to save our season now.
1. Saquon Barkley
I can’t remember a more successful season for a Philadelphia athlete than Saquon Barkley’s first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Joel Embiid’s MVP year ended in a disappointing, yet unfortunately familiar, fashion. Ryan Howard’s 2006 MVP season was littered with accolades and awards, but the Big Piece and the Phillies fell short of qualifying for the playoffs. Saquon Barkley rushed for 2005 yards, won offensive player of the year, hoisted a Lombardi, and his infamous hurdle had a respectable argument for being the league’s new logo. He was basically Captain Philadelphia. Defenses stacked boxes and still could not contain him. Barkley’s mix of vision, shifty running and power combine to create one of the most feared offensive players in the NFL.
Up to this point in the season, the offensive line has underachieved, and injuries have sidelined him for a game and a half. Against Los Angeles, Barkley looked like he was finally heating up behind a restructured offensive line until a hamstring injury forced him out. This offense desperately needs Saquon Barkley. They likely won’t get 2024 Saquon Barkley, but if they can get even 75% of that player, it would lubricate the gears of this offense. A good run game opens up so much for Sean Mannion’s system, and Barkley is a floor raiser off presence alone.
There we have it: our midnight green Avengers. These four players raise the floor of our potential immediately if they play to their potential. The Philadelphia Eagles have been devastated by injuries so far, but I’m confident that as time goes on and they get healthier, this team will look more competent and rooted in familiar identities, like winning in the trenches, running the ball, and opening up the passing game off the run game’s success.
Iron Man’s final battle ends in a snap. Ironically, Jalen Hurts’ battles don’t start until after a snap, and what happens after those snaps could possibly determine if Nick Sirianni will return in 2027.
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