Surprising Study Ranks Eagles Fans Among Most Positive in NFL

Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles give their team more undying passion than any other NFL franchise can claim, but they’re not known as the most positive group.

Don’t you remember what Jason Kelce said on that momentous day in February 2018? 

However, BetWay Insider ranked the Eagles 9th among NFL franchises with the highest percentage of positive social media commentary.

The study used Linkfluence, a social listening tool, to gather mentions from social media platforms. They found that 13.9% of mentions about the Eagles were positive. The real shocker is the time span. The study only includes data from June 2021 through June 2022.

Yes, that means the positive sentiment didn’t even include reactions during a 14-3 regular season in 2022 and an appearance in Super Bowl LVII. Are the days of “Negadelphia” over?

The Eagles made solid progress during their first season under head coach Nick Sirianni in 2021. However, it wasn’t one of their most memorably positive seasons in recent history (especially at the beginning).

The data also includes a large chunk of an outstanding 2022 offseason that included the signings of Haason Reddick and James Bradberry, a trade for A.J. Brown, and an NFL Draft graded positively in most immediate reactions.

The Chicago Bears ranked first on the list, as 22.9% of their social media mentions were positive. The Windy City must breed some positivity because the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Cubs also ranked first in their respective leagues.

The New York Giants and the New York Jets both surprisingly ranked ahead of the Eagles. Maybe a sense of false confidence from a city whose two teams have combined for one playoff appearance since 2017?

Philadelphia sports fans have a unique type of passion you will never find in another professional sports market. They demand the best from their teams. While the low points get the most attention, Philadelphia certainly knows how to celebrate winners.

Unfortunately the Eagles are in the offseason. While its tough to move on, we have to. We need to focus on the offseason because the Eagles got a late start. The good news is the Eagles have Howard "Howie" Roseman running the show. When it comes to contracts and free agents Howie always has the ability to find some cap space.

So lets take a look at the impending Eagles free agents and play some stay or go.

Lets get the easy ones out of the way. If Jason Kelce wants to play football then he will be back for the Philadelphia Eagles.

STAY

Brandon Graham is like defensive Jason Kelce. If B.G. wants to play then its tough to imagine he isnt in Green. He is a Philadelphia Eagles legend AND (much like Kelce) still playing at a high level. I doubt he wants to go anywhere else.

STAY

Like the two above, Fletcher is a Philadelphia sports legend. But unlike them, I dont see Cox taking a hometown discount to stay. I dont get the feeling that Fletcher Cox is as attached to the city as Kelce and Graham. Thats not a sleight by the way, most athletes arent as attached to the city like the above two. According to Spotrac his value is 2 years at $28 milion. Thats probably too rich for the Eagles.

GO

The trade deadline acquisition was an absolute DUD. He did very little in his short stint with the Eagles after an 18 sack season in 2021. The Eagles will receive a compensatory pick if he signs elsewhere, and I think thats way more valuable for the Eagles then whatever Quinn could give you.

GO

The Eagles got a bargain with Bradberry when they signed him late to play opposite Darius Slay. As a #2 CB, hes one of the best in the league. He's already signed a big contract in the past to be a #1, and it came with mixed results. Would he look at move on? Sure seems that way. After the season Bradberry discussed free agency as a guy that knows hes not coming back. With the Eagles holding the 10th overall pick, and a top corner likely available, it seems like this one is a forgone conclusion.

GONE

Javon Hargrave was one of the better signings under the Howie Roseman regime. He had a career year, in a contract year. Not GREAT for a team that will have to sign their QB to a hefty extension. I think the Eagles would like to keep Hargrave, but will they want to allocate those funds to Hargrave? Spotrac has his perceived value at $20 million per season. Thats a LOT. I think the Eagles move on

GONE

Seumalo has been fine. Hes been the weakest link on the best offensive line in football, so theres something to be said about that (in a positive way.) Seumalo's mistakes were heightend because he was playing around Hall of Famers. But the Eagles drafted Cam Jurgens in the 2nd round to eventually take over for Kelce. Jurgens can also play guard though. So ideally I think the Eagles want Kelce back and Jurgens playing next to him. Spotrac has his value at $12 million per season. Let someone else make that mistake.

GONE

Miles Sanders is just 25 years old and coming off a career year with 1,269 yards. His value is $7 million per season which is a lot for a running back. BUT this running back free agent class is STACKED. Sequon Barkley, Kareem Hunt, Miles Sander, Jamaal Williams, Josh Jacobs, just to name a few. I dont think there are too many teams wanting to pay for a running back and I think theres a good chance that some of these really good backs are left without a chair when the music ends. Because of that, I think you could bring back Miles Sanders for less than $7 million

STAY

Kyzir White was the most recent yearly tradition of the Eagles brining in a free agent LB and us convincing ourselves that hes WAYYY better than anyone thought. Only for us to realize there was a reason he was a free agent. Kyzir White was fine. But the Eagles did draft Nakobe Dean in round 3 and I think the Eagles would like to see what he can do.

GO

TJ Edwards has been REALLY good for the Eagles, and quite a find for the Birds. BUT the Eagles have a history of scraping the bottom of the barrell, finding a LB, they look pretty good and then the Eagles let them walk when the contract is up. They did it a few years ago with Kamu Grugier-Hill. While I think they SHOULD bring back, I do not think they will. I think they'll scrape the bottom of the barrell again.

GO

Yep. The Eagles will make this one a priority and its tough to imagine him signing with another team.

STAY

Backup QB? You can find one of those pretty easily. Gardner also has stated that he wants a shot at being a starter in this league. That isnt happening in Philly. I think the Eagles would like to bring Minshew back at the right price, I think he leaves for an opportunity in a city like Houston, or Indy.

GO