Analyzing Eagles’ Unique Power Structure Under Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman

It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Eagles have a unique power structure under the ownership of Jeffrey Lurie and the roster construction of Howie Roseman.

The dynamic came under intense scrutiny after the 2020 season when the Eagles fired Doug Pederson. Some perceive Lurie’s involvement in football operations negatively in connection with certain historic flaws of NFL owners like Jerry Jones or Al Davis. Others point to his persistent loyalty to Roseman as a blind spot.

The dynamic is back at the forefront of the conversation after the Eagles retained Nick Sirianni as head coach while evidently placing serious limitations on his power and responsibility.

Jeff McLane has reported on the dynamic for years. As a guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, he boldly defined Roseman’s role in the power structure of the organization.

Lurie has the utmost loyalty to Roseman, and it’s fair to question whether that loyalty has been too extreme at times.

Questions about the dynamic ignited the “Fire Howie!” outcry after the Eagles finished 4-11-1 in 2020 just three years after the franchise's first Super Bowl victory. The struggles came largely due to poor roster construction, yet the Eagles moved on from Pederson with very minimal public accountability placed on Roseman.

Only two coaches in NFL history lost their jobs sooner than Pederson did after winning a Lombardi Trophy. Now, the Eagles are restricting Sirianni’s responsibilities on the offensive side of the ball. They have never considered their current head coach an expert on the defensive side of the ball.

It’s clear the Eagles place exponentially more power in hands of GM Howie Roseman than the head coach. They’ve fired Andy Reid and Doug Pederson, arguably the two best coaches in franchise history, under Roseman’s watch. 

This unorthodox power structure that has led to questionable operations at multiple points in recent history. Why would they stick with it? Eagles fans will inevitably react with incredible passion to the situation, just like they always do. However, they should have enough collective self-awareness to remember one thing:

You’re never as good as they say when you win. You’re never as bad as they say when you lose.

The Eagles employ one of the biggest personnel staffs in the NFL. They allocate a tremendously useful amount of resources to sports science and football analytics. In addition to Roseman, they also give significant influence to Alec Halaby, the assistant general manager and former vice president of football operations and strategy.

They’ve advanced to three Super Bowls, seven NFC Championship Games, and 16 playoff appearances since they hired Andy Reid in 1999. Reid’s football philosophy helped Roseman develop as a strong NFL executive.

The dynamic that gradually developed has led them to become one of the most successful organizations in the NFL since Roseman’s initial promotion to GM in 2010.

Their success differs from organizations who feed off the ability of Hall of Fame- caliber quarterbacks and head coaches. They’ve achieved as much or more success as the Packers with Aaron Rodgers, the Saints with Sean Payton and Drew Brees, and the Colts with Peyton Manning despite significant coaching and quarterback turnover.

They even earned credit for their Super Bowl LVII appearance from some media members as a tribute to Lurie’s organizational strategy built and maintained over decades. They had recovered from the fallout of the Doug Pederson era remarkably quickly.

An NFL team's chances of reaching the Super Bowl twice in six seasons with different head coaches and different quarterbacks simply aren’t high. It’s a credit to Roseman’s roster construction as the root of the success. What’s the problem then?

When the Eagles win, the die-hard Philadelphia fans who bring the unbeatable passion at Lincoln Financial Field will give credit to the pride and confidence that the front office shows. When the Eagles lose, questions about the organization’s arrogance rise to the surface.

Jeffrey Lurie shouldn’t have called the Eagles the “gold standard” of the NFL in 2003. Fans have never fully forgotten about it, and the attitude has permeated somewhat into recent times. Criticism of the infamously overconfident statement resurfaced after Roseman’s “quarterback factory” comment at the 2020 NFL Draft.

It was also a mistake for Roseman to suggest that six embarrassing losses in seven tries to finish the 2023 season could be an aberration. 

Roseman showed a tendency to push back against criticism after the Eagles came under fire from 2018-2020. He was (justifiably) proud of his ability to withstand a demotion during the Chip Kelly debacle and return to bring Philadelphia its first Super Bowl ring. 

His overall approach to belittling Pederson’s power deserved criticism, especially considering the weaknesses of the rosters Roseman gave Pederson to work with from 2018-2020. The long-time GM took more than enough criticism from the local media for his mistakes. Many painted the power structure of the organization as a flaw indicative of dysfunction.

The 2018 and 2019 seasons weren’t disastrous in Philadelphia, however. Most NFL teams would look at consecutive 9-7 seasons positively. After a terrible season in 2020, the Eagles came back with a vengeance. The strategy of the quarterback factory helped them move past the downfall of Carson Wentz impressively. Jalen Hurts, an expected backup, led them to a Super Bowl appearance just two years later.

Look at the overall track record of this organization. Confidence in their own infrastructure is justified, regardless of whether fans or media might perceive Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman as arrogant.

What does it all mean entering the 2024 season? The decision to retain Nick Sirianni didn’t align with some of the organization’s previous decisions. However, it does align with the way they view the responsibilities of a head coach.

They’ve set the expectation Sirianni to oversee the team and build a strong culture based on intangible strengths without the expectation of adding a defining X’s and O’s advantage. Sirianni proved that approach can work with a 14-3 season in 2022. His supposed culture also led to an alarming collapse in 2023.

Roseman’s roster construction has seen similar peaks and valleys. He executed almost every decision he made building the 2017 roster smoothly. His struggle to restock the roster allowed the team to slip from the top tier of the NFL.

He recovered quickly to build arguably the best roster in the NFL by 2022. His willingness to enter the 2023 season with obvious personnel flaws on the defensive side of the ball became a major Achilles heel.

Which way will the pendulum swing in 2024? The Eagles will work with the same resources that have benefited them in the past. They have an enormous advantage of a 25-year-old franchise quarterback in place and other top-tier offensive skill players like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in their prime years.

They might adjust their approach slightly, but their overall confidence in things that have worked in the past will persist.

Call them arrogant. Call them stubborn. It won’t break their confidence. Expect more of the same from the Eagles. Given their track record, that confidence is justified.

Howie Roseman and the front office need to face the music as the Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2024 offseason. The disastrous playoff loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers culminated the embarrassing finish to the 2023 season. No team that loses six of its final seven games can afford to run back the same roster.

The immediate offseason questions from 97.5 The Fanatic and the Philadelphia media will focus on the future of Nick Sirianni and other potential changes on the coaching staff.

However, questions about personnel that failed the Eagles down the stretch need to be answered.

The Eagles began the 2023 season with a 10-1 record that never fully convinced the fan base that Super Bowl contention was in order. Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia offense stole multiple games that looked like losses to earn that 10-1 record.

The lack of a developing identity eventually showed itself. Hurts, A.J. Brown, and other top contributors on offense failed to pick the team up out of the rut and change the direction of the season once the losing stretch began.

The looming retirement of Jason Kelce, first reported by Adam Schefter, is a key loss. Cam Jurgens will presumably take over a position that has been a strength of the Eagles offense during some of the most successful seasons in franchise history. The shuffle will mean a vacancy at right guard. Will the Eagles try to fill the hole with an in-house replacement? Will they look to make or a move in free agency?

Besides replacing a six-time All-Pro, the Eagles need to address the shortcomings of a unit that was supposed to carry them into Super Bowl contention. The Eagles will pick late in the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft. They also own two 2nd-round picks that will allow them to acquire premium talent.

Which of the 26 players carry blame enough to force a change? How does that blame impact the approach that Roseman will take during the offseason?

Hurts didn’t have an excellent season in 2023. His agility and explosiveness as a runner didn’t help the offense like it did in 2022, and he carelessly turned the ball over at a rate well above his career average. However, there’s no chance the Eagles look to make a change at starting quarterback this offseason.

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Hurts stayed relatively healthy, and the Eagles didn’t play in many blowout games that gave Mariota a chance to take snaps. There is not enough of a sample size with the Eagles to judge the performance of the former Heisman Trophy winner in regular-season action.

While the Eagles have a preference for backups with starting experience, they could bring in a free agent upgrade even if they aren’t comfortable with Tanner McKee on the second team.

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McKee was never expected to make an immediate impact. He performed well during the preseason, and the organization will hang onto him as their second or third quarterback in 2024.

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The Eagles don’t typically value running backs as a top priority. Allowing Miles Sanders to leave in free agency and acquiring Swift for a minimal trade package demonstrated those feelings.

Swift carried the ball 229 times in 2023, shattering his previous career-high of 151. A running back coming off a 1000-yard season will command more money in free agency than the Eagles will offer.

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Nick Sirianni values Kenny Gainwell highly, for better or for worse. Even if the head coach doesn’t return, Gainwell is a serviceable back on an affordable rookie contract.

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The Giants bit was fun while it lasted. The Boston Scott era might’ve finally run its course after the 5-foot-6 back only had 24 offensive touches on the season.

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Penny never found a role with the Eagles. It’s surprising that they kept him on the roster the entire season. He was a liability as a pass blocker, and he shouldn’t return in 2024.

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A.J. Brown proved himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL with a torrid stretch during the middle of the 2023 season. His production dipped down the stretch, but there’s no reason to think he won’t return next season.

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The Eagles will have to consider signing DeVonta Smith to a contract extension during the offseason. He is a core piece of their future.

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The Eagles probably could’ve used an upgrade over Quez Watkins after his disappointing performance in Super Bowl LVII. Another underwhelming effort that included a noticeably decreased role late in the season should end his Eagles career as he enters free agency.

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Signing one of the best wide receivers in the history of the game didn’t seem like a bad idea. However, Julio Jones doesn’t have a long-term role with the Eagles.

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The St. Joe’s Prep storyline sounded interesting at the beginning of 2023, but national announcers pounded it into the ground throughout the season. Zaccheaus took advantage of the opportunities he got on a one-year deal, but the Eagles never gave him enough of a role to justify signing the impending free agent to another contract.

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Although he doesn’t play a significant role on offense, Covey offers enough value on special teams to keep a roster spot. He finished first in the NFL in punt return yards and second in punt return average in 2023.

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Goedert didn’t play as big of a role in the offense this season as he might’ve hoped. However, he’ll return as a key piece of the attack in 2024.

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The Eagles trust Jack Stoll as a blocker. They’ve had chances to add a better receiving tight end behind Goedert, but they haven’t made it a priority. Until they prove differently, it’s hard to see them moving on from Stoll.

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Calcaterra didn’t make significant progress after a strong rookie season in 2022. Without obvious competition behind Goedert, he’ll most likely return in a depth role next season.

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Okwuegbunam never justified a preseason trade attempting to find better depth behind Goedert. We don’t have a picture of him in an Eagles uniform, and that tells you what you need to know.

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It's finally time for Jason Kelce to hang up the cleats. The Super Bowl LVII loss had a lot to do with his decision to return in 2023, but the Eagles snuck one more All-Pro season out of their future Hall of Fame center.

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Lane Johnson is under contract through 2026. The Eagles will likely prioritize finding his replacement at the top of the 2024 NFL Draft.

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Mailata will return as the left tackle in 2024. He’s become a long-term building block thanks to his development at Jeff Stoutland University.

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Dickerson has exceeded expectations in three seasons with the Eagles by establishing himself as one of the best guards in the NFL. The Eagles will have to explore a contract extension for the 25-year-old.

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Jurgens transitioned to a new position in 2023. He'll likely slide to center after Kelce's retirement.

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The Eagles kept Opeta as a backup on a one-year deal in 2024. They’re more likely to trust recent draft pick Tyler Steen as their primary backups on the interior of the offensive line moving forward. Don’t kick him out the door just yet, but he’s probably more likely to leave than to stay.

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Steen adjusted to a new position as a guard for his only career NFL start. The Eagles will bring him back as a depth option in development.

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If the Eagles draft an offensive tackle, they probably expect the rookie to play a role as their third tackle in 2024. Driscoll struggled against the Jets when Lane Johnson left the game with an injury, and his rookie contract has now expired. He could be a casualty of Howie Roseman’s attempt to reshape the future of the offensive line.

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The Eagles prioritize depth on the offensive line, and they’re confident in their ability to develop young players. A journeyman like Fred Johnson probably won’t return in 2024.

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