Is It Time to Call It Quits on the 2026 Eagles?
Oct 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni looks on before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Eagles are 2-5 for the first time since 2021.
Coincidentally, 2021 was also the same year Brandon Brooks played his last game, similarly to Lane Johnson this year.
Nevertheless, some key differences lie in this year being played with a backup quarterback, constant injuries nagging key offensive pieces, and no clear sign of competitiveness throughout the games.
Though, in 2021, the Eagles managed to sneak into the playoffs, mostly thanks to the newly added 17th game and the recently added seventh playoff spot.
Tanner McKee being the Eagles quarterback for the remainder of the 2026 season pays homage to the fact that this season may be lost. Since his emergence as the quarterback, the Eagles are 0-2 with no real sign of direction. On top of this, the McKee-led Eagles still have not played a team that is over .500. The worst might still be yet to come.
Heading into this upcoming draft, there are a few glaring holes in this Eagles team: wide receiver, offensive guard, center, edge rusher, and safety. With what is right now the sixth pick, the Eagles have plenty of options to choose from, such as Colin Simmons, Dylan Stewart, and potentially Jeremiah Smith. All three of these players could be franchise cornerstones for whichever team drafts them, and the Eagles could take advantage of a down year much as they did in 2020 to revamp for the future.
In 2020, the Eagles missed the playoffs for the first time since Carson Wentz‘s rookie year, and they quickly turned their focus on creating youth in their team. In 2020, the Eagles had the fifth-oldest team in the NFL; however, just two years later, they ranked ninth in age in the NFL. Now, this 2026 Eagles team has the ninth-oldest offense in the NFL, and it seems like the question regarding how to fix this team was answered six years ago.
Although 2020 was just three years removed from the Super Bowl-winning Eagles team, anyone would have told you that team was a shell of its former glory. Now, just two years removed from the Super Bowl, it seems like the same story.
The original retool six years ago was not a result of blowing the system up and rebuilding, but rather adapting and simply only changing what needed to change. So, unlike what the Indianapolis Colts are currently doing, for example, the Eagles do not need to trade every player they have. However, in 2020, the key offseason moves were firing their head coach Doug Pederson, drafting DeVonta Smith, and trading Wentz for a ton of value.
Now, in 2026, the Eagles have the opportunity to do this again. Head coach Nick Sirianni’ seat is scorching, the Eagles are in dire need of offensive ability, and it is clear that they need to adapt to the next five years of football, rather than being stuck in their glory in the previous five years.
A tank may not be necessary, but the 2020 Eagles show similarities to both the current state and potential answers to the struggles in 2026. So, as this season hits its near midway point, it is important to note that in 2020, the organization faced the same dysfunction and failures as today, and very quickly after, the Eagles’ 6-16-1 record between 2020 and Week 7 of 2021 turned into five straight playoff appearances, two Super Bowl appearances, and a championship.
Isaac Baranski
Isaac is a high-school senior who currently attends the Hun School of Princeton. In his free time, he has many interests, but most of all is his love for Philadelphia sports. He has watched the 76ers since the days of Sam Hinkie and hopes to watch the process be completed. He has also watched the Phillies since the days of Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and the great crew, and hopes to see Red October finally achieve its goal. Along with that, he picked up a love for the Philadelphia Union shortly before the pandemic and has seen them win multiple Supporters’ Shields in person. Lastly, and most importantly, he is a major football lover and an even bigger Eagles lover. Since developing his love for The Birds in elementary school, he has made it his goal to never miss a game.
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