Eagles' Biggest Keys To Having Successful NFL Offseason

It didn't take long for the Philadelphia Eagles to return to being a Super Bowl contender after Nick Sirianni became their head coach. In his second season at the helm, the Eagles won the NFC title and reached Super Bowl LVII, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Philadelphia is in a great position to remain in the championship mix moving forward. However, if it hopes to win the second Super Bowl title in franchise history (and first since 2017), it likely needs to have a successful offseason.

The Eagles could take another step forward and move closer to potentially winning a championship in the 2023 season. But they'll need to make the right moves over the next few months in order for that to happen.

Here are the biggest keys to Philadelphia having a successful offseason.

Hire Coordinators Who Fit Well Under Sirianni

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with members of the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility in Philadelphia, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Sirianni's staff will look much different in 2023 than it did in 2022. That's because offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was hired to be the Indianapolis Colts' head coach, while defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon left to become the Arizona Cardinals head coach.

Steichen and Gannon aren't the only departures from the Eagles' staff, either. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, linebackers coach Nick Rallis will be heading to Arizona as well to become the defensive coordinator under Gannon.

"We'll look at every option to make sure we're getting the best people in here to help our team," Sirianni recently said, per Josh Tolentino of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Because Sirianni doesn't call plays, it's especially important he brings in the right people to serve as his coordinators. Those holes may be even more crucial to address correctly than any on the Eagles' roster.

Try to Get Hurts Signed to a Long-Term Contract

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts plays during the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

No player was more important to Philadelphia's 2022 success than quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Eagles lost only four games all season (including playoffs), and two of those came when the 24-year-old was sidelined by a right shoulder sprain.

In his third NFL campaign, Hurts threw for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns (both career highs) while also running for 760 yards and 13 scores. He finished second in NFL MVP voting behind only Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Hurts is still on his rookie contract, so he's only under team control for two more seasons. That's why Philadelphia should be looking to sign him to a new deal soon.

"Obviously we want to keep our best players here for the long term, and he's certainly one of our best players," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said, per NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "We'll keep all the contract talks internal, but we definitely want to keep Jalen Hurts here long term."

If Philadelphia could get that done before the 2023 season, it would help make this offseason a rousing success.

Address the Backfield Situation

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Philadelphia Eagles' Miles Sanders plays during the NFC Championship NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Few teams ran the ball as often as the Eagles during the 2022 NFL season. They ranked third in the league in total rushing attempts (544) behind only the Atlanta Falcons (559) and the Chicago Bears (558).

Philadelphia's offense operates best when it has multiple running backs involved, like it did this past season. But heading into the offseason, Miles Sanders and Boston Scott are both set to hit the free-agent market. That leaves Kenneth Gainwell as the only primary back remaining on the Eagles' roster, which also includes Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks.

It's possible that Philadelphia could try to bring back Sanders, who set career highs in rushing yards (1,269) and touchdowns (11) this past season. The 25-year-old proved he could thrive in a lead-back role.

But if the Eagles don't re-sign Sanders, they need to find another RB or two who can complement Gainwell in their offense. Perhaps they sign a top free agent, or they could target former Texas standout Bijan Robinson, the top running back in the 2023 NFL draft class. Either way, Philadelphia needs to keep its backfield strong.