How This Group of Eagle’s Rookies Will Keep Both the George Halas Trophy and the Lombardi Trophy In Philadelphia for Years to Come.
It creeps up on you like a brick wall — an unmovable force. There is no where on that field of green that the Eagles defense cannot get to. If you are lucky enough to receive the ball first and drive against this Philadelphia defense — chances are — that you’ll hardly do it again. As the game goes on — deeper and deeper into the middle quarters — the defensive line gets stronger and stronger. As Jalen, Saquon, AJ, Devonta, and Dallas — an offense that cannot be controlled but rather only contained — slowly pulls away — the Eagles defensive line and linebackers pound on your offensive line. The cornerbacks and safeties hunt for turnovers.
How good are these young Eagles players? You just found out on Sunday.
Many of them in their own way had a huge piece of Sunday’s NFC Championship win over the Commanders. By the time that the 55–23 obliteration was complete — the stats spoke for themselves. Will Shipley not only scored one of the Eagles seven rushing touchdowns — he also forced a Washington fumble on a kickoff return and ran for 77 yards including a 57 scamper. Cooper DeJean played like a freight train once again, deflecting two passes and making six tackles — four of them solo. Jalyx Hunt had five total tackles, four of them solo. Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. had two total tackles, and Quinyon Mitchell — who you can now hardly throw against — with two total tackles, two pass breakups, and that incredible interception in the end zone.
The 2024–2025 Philadelphia Eagles are the first team in modern NFL playoff history with two rookie starting defensive backs to reach the Super Bowl. This year is also the first time in the thirty-two years of the Eagles franchise existence that two rookie defensive backs have been nominated for the AP Rookie of the Year in the same season.
Historically — it’s hard to find a really quality comparison. Of course — you had the 2024 Green Bay Packers with Edgerrin Cooper, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard. Or the 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers who selected Ricardo Colclough, Nathaniel Adibi, and Eric Taylor. Perhaps the best parallel is the 1960 Philadelphia Eagles when they drafted rookies including linebacker Maxie Baughan, Curt Merz, and Don Norton. That team won an NFL Championship.
Can you imagine the horror that Kansas City is witnessing as they and Andy Reid turn on the tape? Nowhere to run, nowhere to throw. No place on the field that these Eagles can’t get to. Imagine the terror.
Once they win the Super Bowl — the Eagles will look forward to another dominant night. The 2025 NFL Draft on April 24th. It’s been pure gold for Philadelphia thus far.
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