Overview
No team has a more different look from 2014 to 2015 than the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach/front office man Chip Kelly led Philadelphia to a 10-6 season but missed the playoffs last year, and decided to take a blow torch to the roster. In fact, Kelly did not even wait until free agency opened, instead opting to make bold trades.
Kelly shipped All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills for inside linebacker Kiko Alonso, then dealt quarterback Nick Foles and a 2016 second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams for Sam Bradford. Kelly also moved on from Jeremy Maclin, Todd Herremans, Trent Cole, Evan Mathis and Bradley Fletcher in free agency. He then signed DeMarco Murray and Byron Maxwell, before drafting Nelson Agholor with his first-round pick.
Major Battle
The corners will provide Eagles fans with plenty of entertainment throughout August. Maxwell was brought in on a six-year, $63 million deal, so he is certainly the top dog. After him, Brandon Boykin will compete with second-round pick Eric Rowe and veteran Walter Thurmond III for playing time. Boykin likely has the inside track, but the lead is slim.
Expectations
The Eagles have the experts confounded. On one hand, this is a team that has won 10 games in each of the past two seasons under Kelly. On the flip side, the roster has been turned over to the point that Eagles fans are going to need a roster sheet at games. Philadelphia’s fortunes really hinge on whether Sam Bradford can finally fulfill his potential. If not, good night.
Next: New York Giants