Eagles
Maybe it’s the USA World Cup wins, maybe it’s the uptick in people saying “Go Birds!” when I’m wearing Eagles gear, or maybe it’s just OTA propaganda but I’m starting to get excited for the Eagles. Not sure how to quantify it exactly but it feels like there’s a lot of juice in the locker room and the fan base. Before anyone wonders, no I will not be making an OJ Simpson joke nor steroids jokes. We’re going to take a look at the contributing factors that may be feeding this feeling.
Lane Johnson: He was a question mark going into this season. He’d be going into his 14th season of a Hall of Fame career. That career features two Super Bowl wins and two All-Pro seasons. The man has nothing left to prove and was contemplating retirement but wants one more season. If Lane wants to stay it means they’re building something he wants to be a part of this year. This is also good for the team considering they’re not great without him. Over those 13 years the Eagles have a 110-57-1 record (.658% win percent) and a paltry 18-27 (.400% win percent) without him. So if that man wants to come back and experience another season and is excited about it, you should be excited too.
Lane Johnson just told me that he’s officially returning for a 14th season with the #Eagles.
Having the future HOF right tackle will be key as HC Nick Sirianni alters the offense under new OC Sean Mannion in 2026.
The Eagles will also have a new O-line coach after Jeff… pic.twitter.com/bQfPPIWR9m
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) February 19, 2026
Offensive Line: The Eagles brought in Chris Kuper to replace Jeff Stoutland. In general the system seems better. Listen Jeff Stoutland was a godsend. Truly revolutionized the league with pulling blocks. Now you see everyone running it, notably the Rams. That said, the league is constantly evolving. Just because you did something first and the best, doesn’t mean you can do it forever. That’s the beauty of Kuper, he brings a fresh perspective to the line. Not to mention he played in the NFL for eight years. Players seem excited for the new lessons and schemes being taught. Lane Johnson was quoted as saying, “I think the new system he’s stressing is going to be more efficient for us… Our run-blocking angles will be more conducive.” What a nice quote that perfectly sums up what I’m trying to prove.
Dallas Goedert: Him re-signing was good. A lot of people expected him to cash in on his 11 TD season elsewhere in the league. Instead he decided to comeback. Listen I won’t rehash the things I said about Lane Johnson but they should be replaying in your head. The other bonus is that Goedert gets a new role. He gets to play mentor to Eli Stowers. Nothing keeps you in an NFL locker room as a veteran more than your ability to exist and teach when new players come in. Let’s players stick around and get paid even if their athleticism isn’t what it used to be in the past. To summarize, good players returning is good.
Tariq Woolen: People already rightfully fawn over the tandem of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. So what does Howie Roseman do? Brings in a Super Bowl wining in corner from the Seattle Seahawks, Tariq Woolen. Now some older fans might have PTSD from the last time they brought in a corner from Seattle by the name of Byron Maxwell. I won’t try to hate on him too badly but if you’re unaware, let’s just say his coverage was looser than the shirts he wore under his pads (picture for reference). But back to Woolen (who goes by Riq), he’s been a standout at OTAs. He also has the benefit Maxwell did not have in not having to jump from CB2 to CB1. Having the best secondary in the league is an exciting prospect for fans and another reason for you to feel the juice.
Eagles Fans: They have that chip on their shoulder again. Sure the Eagles won a Super Bowl two years ago. Hand up, last year wasn’t as tough to swallow given said Super Bowl win. Doesn’t matter because a player who got traded talked trash and did some weird actions leaving the facility. Analysts are disrespecting our QB when only we should be able to do that. Eagles fans are at our best when the team has something to prove. None of that resting on our laurels mindset. That mindset, while fickle at the first downturn, is something that always sets Eagles’ fans apart. Still that edge makes me excited for the next season and to see and be with fans in that stadium.
At the end of the day, this is when you get to have the most fun. There’s no reason to be miserable about the team unless you’re seeking it. While that appeals to some people, not me, not now. The team still has the bones of what won them a Super Bowl two years prior. The players seem bought into the team which is a stat that is unquantifiable. Guess I finally know why I’ve been excited, the players are excited. And if the juice is loose, we can just hope it doesn’t end in a highway police chase (sorry had to get one OJ joke in). Thanks for reading and as always, Go Birds!
Sources: John McMullen, Philly Inquirer, Jeff McLane on X, John Clark NBCS,
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Hello, I’m a greater Philadelphia native writing mostly about the Eagles and the rest of the NFL. Articles aren’t … More about Kyle Lavin
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