‘The season is over,’ it’s almost time to focus on NFL draft, and what else they’re saying about the Eagles
Here’s what the national media is saying after the Birds’ latest loss, with two weeks until the trade deadline and the team’s season in free fall.
The Eagles are now on a five-game losing streak after suffering a 38-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at home on Monday Night Football. Following the loss, most of the discourse has centered on the team’s poor defensive showing and concerns over the team’s future.
Here’s a look at what the national media and former players are saying about the 2-5 Birds after a loss on a prime-time television.
A ‘leaky’ run defense
Dallas established its ground game early on Monday night. By the end of the game, the Eagles defense had allowed 204 rushing yards, including 155 from running back Javonte Williams.
“Tanner McKee last night did everything he needed to do to win that football game,” Manti Te’o said on Good Morning Football. “I mean, I liked what he was doing. Everything was looking nice. Even though Saquon [Barkley] went out, he was still dicing the ball.
“The biggest takeaway for me was how leaky that rush defense was. It was surprising to me, that I’ve never seen a Vic Fangio defense that has Jordan Davis, that has Jalen Carter, that has Zack Baun give up 155 rushing yards to Javonte Williams alone. … I didn’t expect the Cowboys to come against a unit like the defense that Vic Fangio has and do what they did.”
‘The season is over’
Former Packers and Raiders wide receiver James Jones said believes it’s time for the Birds to pack it up and think about putting some players on ice following their latest loss. That includes Barkley, who fought through a hamstring injury to play Monday but was unable to finish the game.
“This season is over,” Jones said on The Speakeasy podcast. “To be honest with you, Saquon is probably going to be shut down for the year. He was hobbling out there today. I don’t see him trying to fight through no pain to go out there and play next week.”
» READ MORE: We put 16 Eagles players on the trade block — and share intel on how we see the deadline playing out | Save or Trade
For what it’s worth, Barkley said postgame that he isn’t giving up on the season and that he’s “seen seasons like this flip.”
“You lost five straight,” Jones said. “Defensively, yeah, they’re the healthy part, but you can tell, mindset-wise, they don’t really want to be out there. I watched the energy; I watched the effort. We’re talking about two of the best defensive tackles in football get bullied in Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. What are we talking about? I think the Eagles are checked out right now..”
‘The Jeremiah Smith sweepstakes’
Although some media members and former players are already giving up on the Birds, former Steelers and Cardinals cornerback Bryant McFadden is giving them one more chance as they prepare to compete against the Washington Commanders in another prime-time game, this time on Sunday Night Football. But if they lose, McFadden says it’s time for the “Jeremiah Smith sweepstakes,” referring to the Ohio State receiver and top draft prospect.
“If the Commanders beat the Eagles Sunday night football, it’s time to get ready for 2027, in my opinion,” McFadden said on CBS Sports HQ. “The expectations have always been high for the Eagles, deservingly so. They’ve been a very, very competitive organization. But because of the injuries to key components, not injuries to a guy here or there. We’re talking about their superstars, quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, retirement of a Hall of Fame right tackle.
“If you lose to the Commanders, it’s time to get ready for 2027 because you will be 2-6, basically two wins above the Chargers right now. And I’ll say this, and I’ll say this boldly, that Jeremiah Smith sweepstakes is going to be a massive ticket if you can get that golden ticket in your hand.”
Through seven games this season, Smith, the two-time Big Ten receiver of the year, has 52 receptions for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns.
‘The Eagles have a lot of decisions to make’
There are already concerns regarding the team’s outlook entering Week 8, and that extends beyond quarterback Jalen Hurts, who entered the season with some questions surrounding his long-term future with the Eagles but likely has played his last down of 2026 after doctors found blood clots in his lungs.
“They have to make critical decisions on if Jalen Hurts is going to be the long-term quarterback here. Is he going to get another extension?” Dan Graziano said on ESPN’s Get Up. “This is not anything to do with his health situation, which is serious, and we respect it. This was going to be a question when they got to the end of this year no matter what.
“So there are other questions. They have to rebuild … the offensive line. That has been the foundation of all the Super Bowl-level success they’ve had, and they need to get back to it. Young players on defense are going to have to get paid. Now, some of them already have, and some of them haven’t. They all have to start playing better because that’s the side of the ball where they are healthy.”
» READ MORE: Two Eagles fans tied the knot at a secret tailgate wedding, and it had everything from Jason Kelce to the Philly Pops
With the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline looming, some of those decisions could come sooner rather than later.
“The Eagles have a lot of decisions to make,” Graziano said. “The next two weeks, I think they’ll be nimble both ways, looking to add and maybe move some guys out.”
