Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Short Term Stuff

Posted November 3rd, 2026 | No Comments »

There is a lot about this Eagles team that needs to be fixed. Most of it will need to wait for the offseason. Let’s address some issues and what can be done this season.

NICK SIRIANNI

Some fans are angry and want Sirianni fired. I do not think this will happen, nor should it. Firing an NFL coach midseason rarely makes a difference. This move would make some fans happy for a moment, but it wouldn’t improve the team. You aren’t going to make drastic schematic changes in the middle of a season. Who would you make the new coach? Would that person really have the magic words to solve problems?

Sirianni built up goodwill with two Super Bowl appearances and one title. You don’t just throw that out the door casually. I think Jeffrey Lurie owes it to Sirianni to let him finish the season. Judge the overall results. If the Eagles finish with 2, 3, or 4 wins, you can then make a move and feel you were fair about it. It is important to be fair so you can attract good coaching candidates in the future.

I do think Sirianni needs to have some really tough talks with people in the organization. The Eagles feel like a soft, entitled team far more than hungry dogs. Sirianni preaches “Tough. Detailed. Together.” The team hasn’t been tough or detailed enough. I haven’t seen any issues with togetherness. Maybe Sirianni’s messaging has become stale. Maybe he hasn’t been tough enough on them. Whatever the specific reason, the results are bad. You just don’t see the Eagles playing with the same energy, intensity, and physicality as teams like the Niners, the Lions, the Bears, or the Seahawks. Heck, Dallas and Washington seemed to be more intense and more physical the past two weeks. That is troubling.

At his best, Sirianni is a leader, teacher, and motivator. This team isn’t playing smart football or physical football. Sirianni must get that fixed if he wants to be back in 2027.

ASST COACHES

It really is hard to judge Sean Mannion accurately. He’s had to deal with an insane amount of injuries. The players all speak highly of him. There haven’t been guys ripping him to the media on the record and we aren’t hearing complaints from anonymous sources. At the same time, the offense is historically bad. They can’t be ignored. I would leave Mannion in place for now. The bye week is coming up soon. That will give them a chance to really focus on self-scouting and try to find some fixes.

Chris Kuper has also been dealt a tough hand. He thought he was getting 4/5ths of the OL that led the team to a SB win in 2024. Oops. Two of them are no longer with the team. He has already had multiple starters at LG, C, and RG. Jeff Stoutland had injuries last year and the OL wasn’t good so this is not all on Kuper. Still, the confusion and blown blocking assignments is something new. And that is on Kuper.

That is a really troubling stat. You simply can’t have that many guys coming free. Lurie and Howie Roseman should question Sirianni, Mannion, and Kuper about this. It must get fixed if the offense is going to show any real improvement.

Is the scheme the problem?

Is Kuper a bad teacher?

Are the players not communicating?

Are the players dumb?

Having linemen learn on the fly is part of the problem, but that doesn’t excuse all of the misses. This isn’t a talent issue. The five OL on the field should know who to block. Kuper needs to have good answers for some of the problems. The Eagles could always look to bring someone in to help.

As for the defense, that group was Top 10 each of the past two years. I don’t think there is a need for any coaching changes. Sirianni and Vic Fangio do need to keep pushing buttons to try to get this group to play with more of an edge. That group had been really disappointing.

QB

Tanner McKee has not played well. He had some good moments vs Dallas and Washington. But he also made his share of mistakes. I feel bad for McKee because I don’t think the Eagles did him any favors by bringing in Andy Dalton and having them compete for the backup job. He also hasn’t had healthy weapons or good protection. We definitely have to grade him on a curve.

That said, this is the NFL. You get the job done or you lose your job. McKee deserves at least one more start to show what he can do. Maybe a couple. But he must show some progress. If not, you have to consider playing Joe Milton or Cole Payton. I would lean toward Milton since Payton is a rookie and didn’t play a ton in college.

McKee isn’t physically gifted. He has good size and a solid arm, but he needs to win by making smart decisions and accurate throws. McKee is a limited runner and doesn’t have an arm that will scare defenses. Milton or Payton would bring more raw talent to the field. Milton has an explosive arm. Payton is a gifted runner. This offense might need a boost from someone with more talent.

TRADES

Howie needs to be working the phones aggressively. If he can get good compensation for Riq Woolen or Moro Ojomo, he needs to deal them. Hollywood Brown might draw a little interest. The return won’t be much. Landon Dickerson could be of interest to some teams. He’s played better the past two weeks. Dickerson is big and powerful. He could appeal to a team that is looking for a good run blocker.

You aren’t trying to get rid of these guys. You are trying to secure compensation for guys who aren’t likely to be part of the team next year.

Howie could look to acquire someone he thinks could help the Eagles now and into the future. This doesn’t feel likely.

YOUNG PLAYERS

There has to be a focus on the future. That doesn’t mean you give up on the present, but you need to mix in young players wherever possible. Eli Stowers has now played two games in a row. He went 3-53 on Sunday night (there was a 34-yd catch in garbage time). See what he can do. The other backup TEs have not done anything to write home about.

If Dickerson is dealt you put Willie Lampkin at LG. You should see if Micah Morris can then be the backup. If Woolen is dealt, you could play Kelee Ringo or Mac McWilliams in his place. Jonathan Jones makes sense when you are a contender. Now would be the time to try the young guys, assuming they are doing well in practice.

Quit playing AJ Epenesa and put Keyshawn James-Newby on the field. The kid is a good athlete and has some potential. Let him learn this season.

The players need to focus on doing everything they can to play well and win. The coaches need to balance winning with player development. You want to know who is part of the future. Who can play and who can’t. Howie and his staff need to know what needs to focus on in the offseason.

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