Derrick Gunn Provides Actual Eagles Analysis on 97.5 The Fanatic

The fuss about A.J. Brown has dominated the conversation surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles recently. When the top team in town implodes so unceremoniously, the most passionate NFL city will react. Questions about Jalen Hurts as a leader and Nick Sirianni as a head coach have also popped up. Derrick Gunn, who has reported on some of the prevalent issues, joined Bill Colarulo on 97.5 The Fanatic to expand on the conversations surrounding the Eagles.

Hurts and Brown are two of the most talented and influential players on the Eagles. Do they have a fractured relationship? Gunn downplayed the notion and discouraged fans from reading into animated sideline conversations.

Plenty of questions about Hurts’ leadership qualities came up after the 25-year-old quarterback faded down the stretch in 2023. Gunn acknowledged that Hurts might need to tweak his leadership style to help the Eagles recover.

The veteran reporter spoke with the intention to keep the reaction within reason. These questions have arisen within a franchise that recently suffered from the downfall of a high-priced franchise quarterback. Will the same issues that sunk Carson Wentz repeat themselves with Jalen Hurts?

Gunn’s initial reports about the relationship between Dom DiSandro and Nick Sirianni also drew significant reaction. However, Gunn believes his nugget about Sirianni and Big Dom’s relationship was “blown out of proportion.”

The sudden fame of Big Dom swept through the NFL after Philadelphia’s chief of security (involuntarily) left the game against the San Francisco 49ers early. Gunn spoke lightheartedly about his relationship with DiSandro and gave some inside access about the legend that Big Dom has suddenly become.

Reactionary conversation has become chaotic during the 2024 offseason. However, when you need balanced discussion about the Eagles, trust an insider like Derrick Gunn.

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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