5 offseason moves Eagles need to make to return to playoffs

2. Acquire two starting-caliber cornerbacks

The Philadelphia Eagles need to upgrade the cornerback position at all costs. It is by far the biggest weakness on their roster, and they have consistently failed to address it adequately. As poor as Ronald Darby was last season, he was their best addition over the years, since the team whiffed on Jalen Mills and Sidney Jones.

Mills will be an unrestricted free agent, and while the Eagles could bring him back on the cheap as depth, he cannot be trusted as a regular starter. Last season, the Eagles’ best cornerback was Avonte Maddox, and while he’s a useful player, he’s no star.

The Eagles need a star because not even the best pass rush can overcome a lousy secondary. Philly’s cornerbacks are among the most burn-prone in the league. They need to sign or trade for a true shutdown guy. That’s easier said than done on the open market, especially since stealing Byron Jones from the Dallas Cowboys would be more of a dream than anything.

Since nobody had more than two interceptions, the Eagles need to also go for a cornerback who can make plays on the ball. Scouting and drafting cornerbacks who fit this profile would be wise since the Eagles could find some mid-round value to go with a sure-fire star who has experience.

1. A better backup quarterback

Nick Foles’ magic helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl title and then make it to the postseason against the odds one year later, but his performances earned him an (over)payday with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Meanwhile, the Eagles coaxed Josh McCown away from the broadcasting booth to be Carson Wentz’s backup. Wentz managed to avoid injury until the postseason, as he went into the concussion protocol, forcing McCown to play most of the game.

McCown was predictably poor, as he failed to move the ball on offense with so many Eagles players injured.

The Eagles have so much talent at the skill positions, so they don’t need to prioritize running backs or wide receivers. Miles Sanders and JJ Arcega-Whiteside are future stars, and Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson are more than enough alongside tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. Philly’s injury luck won’t be this awful in 2020.

However, the Eagles do need an actual emergency option for Wentz, since he’s suffered injuries in three straight years that cost him postseason time. McCown simply won’t cut it. The Eagles need to go with someone who can win playoff games, which means spending premium resources for a backup. As the Eagles know quite well, it’s all worth it if the benefit is a Super Bowl ring.