Eagles’ Offense a Jekyll-and-Hyde Mystery: What’s Really Going On in Philly?
The Philadelphia Eagles are 4-0, but it doesn’t feel like it. On paper, this should be the league’s most explosive unit. Ten of 11 starters returned from last year’s Super Bowl run. Jalen Hurts is in his fifth season as the franchise quarterback. Saquon Barkley is coming off an historic 2,000-yard season. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith form one of the best receiver tandems in football. Dallas Goedert remains a top-tier tight end. The offensive line, though banged up, is still anchored by All-Pros. Continuity like this almost never happens in the NFL.
Yet, through four games, the Eagles’ offense has been the definition of feast or famine. One half, they look unstoppable. The next, they look broken.
A Tale of Two Offenses
It would almost make sense if the struggles were just about Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo being a first-time play caller. You could imagine the early growing pains of an offense trying to find its rhythm. But you could also imagine an offense this experienced steamrolling opponents from Week 1, no matter who’s calling plays.
Instead, the Eagles have been both at once dominant and dysfunctional in the very same game.
- Week 3 vs. Rams: -1 net passing yards in the first half, 203 in the second half.
- Week 4 vs. Bucs: 130 passing yards in the first half, -18 in the second half.
Jalen Hurts went 0-for-8 in the second half at Tampa Bay. Zero completions. With Barkley, Brown, Smith, and Goedert at his disposal, that’s unfathomable. According to NFL Research, Hurts became just the second QB since at least 1991 to attempt eight or more passes in a half and finish with zero passing yards in a win – the first was Jake Delhomme back in 2008. That’s the company he kept on Sunday. To be fair there is speculation that Hurts may have been concussed or at a minimum, shaken up after he took a vicious hit when sliding after a scramble in the third quarter. Hurts did not complete a pass after he took that hit.
The Eagles have been outgained in every game this year despite winning all of them. That’s amazing but not sustainable.
Saquon Barkley: Bottled Up
The running game might be even a bigger concern than the passing attack. Barkley hasn’t been himself whether because of blocking issues, defensive focus, or both.
- Week 1 vs Dallas: 88 yards
- Week 2 vs Kansas City: 60 yards
- Week 3 vs L.A. Rams: 46 yards
- Week 4 vs Tampa Bay: 43 yards
That’s a steady decline, with his yards per carry dropping to 3.1. to put that into perspective this time last year he had 435 yards on 73 carries (6.0 YPC). Now? 237 yards on 77 carries. Nearly three fewer yards per carry.
And the home-run plays? Gone. Barkley had 17 runs of 20+ yards last season – about one per game. He has zero so far in 2025.
The offensive line hasn’t helped. Landon Dickerson looks hobbled. Cam Jurgens is being asked to do things he isn’t built for. Lane Johnson has been in and out of the lineup. Tyler Steen is playing on a bad knee. The rotations have killed cohesion, and defenses are clearly scheming to suffocate Barkley at the line of scrimmage.
A.J. Brown’s Frustration Runneth Over
What should be a juggernaut often behaves like it’s playing a half against itself and now, A.J. Brown’s cryptic post, after another quiet game has raised more questions than answers.
After the Week 4 win over Tampa, Brown posted a biblical verse to social media—Mark 6:11:
“If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”
He also earlier posted, “I Love yall with all My heart ❤️🩹.”
Taken together, it reads like a subtle message of frustration or alienation. Brown was targeted nine times in Sunday’s game (the most of any Eagle), yet caught just 2 passes for 7 yards.
Coach Nick Sirianni was asked about Monday at his day after press conference and affirmed Brown’s continued commitment to the team and importance to the offense:
“Obviously, A.J. is very important to this football team. I know he wants to contribute … I question nothing about his desire to play great football, his desire to be a good teammate, his desire to be here.”
Sirianni also said he speaks to Brown daily but declined to share any details of their conversations.
Still, in a team with deep offensive weapons, Brown’s tweet is a red flag. It suggests he may feel underutilized, unheard, or overlooked and it’s not the first time he’s displayed his frustration publicly.
The OC
It would almost make sense if the offense’s uneven play were chalked up to growing pains under new play-caller Kevin Patullo. You could imagine a slow start, some low-scoring games, an offense trying to find its identity.
But you could also imagine, given all the returns, experience, and talent, that this unit would hit the ground running – first time OC or not.
Instead, we’ve seen both versions in the same game.
Core Weaknesses
The offense performs brilliantly in one half, then vanishes in the other because the play calling lacks consisent creativity and excecution is spotty at best.
- Hurts going 0-of-8 in a half is indefensible for this supporting cast.
- Barkley is being suppressed—no splash runs, low efficiency.
- The line is broken in spots, lacking fluidity and trust.
- Receivers are not consistently winning separation.
- Brown’s scripture post hints at internal friction.
The Eagles are winning when the offense clicks. But it hasn’t clicked enough and now their best player is casting doubt, publicly, in subtle or not so subtle terms.
Can this be fixed? Of course. We saw it get fixed just last season. Since that disastrous loss in Tamap a year ago the Birds are an unheard of 20-1 including a Super Bowl ring. They have the talent and experience. But the next few weeks will tell whether the offense can find stability or whether these cryptic cues signal deeper dysfunction.
This is a team that swings from unstoppable to unwatchable with no in-between.
Nick Sirianni isn’t wrong when he says blame goes around. His quarterback had this to say after the win in Tampa on Sunday.
“You guys may look at the record and be a hound for negativity…but regardless of where you are, when you’re just early in the season, you’re still searching to try and elevate and play to a standard of execution.”
Fair enough. The Eagles are 4-0. They’ve beaten the Cowboys, Chiefs, Rams, and Bucs – their toughest stretch of the season. They’ve protected the football and have owned the turnover and special teams battles. They’ve found ways to win.
But there’s a difference between being unbeaten and being unbeatable. Right now, the Eagles are the both. Time will tell how long both will last.
Eagles Add 6-foot-3, 263-Pound Edge Rusher With 14 Sacks
There is no position more in flux for the Philadelphia Eagles right now than at edge rusher, where there is no single player the defending Super Bowl champions can point to as a bell cow for getting to the quarterback.
That’s not to say one of the many edge rushers currently on the roster won’t become that kind of player in 2025 — Nolan Smith Jr. or Jalyx Hunt seem likely candidates — but the Eagles aren’t done tinkering.
After second year wide receiver Johnny Wilson was placed on injured reserve for the season on August 22, the Eagles moved quickly to sign 6-foot-3, 263-pound edge rusher Jereme Robinson, who will play in the preseason finale against the New York Jets.
From the Eagles official website: “Robinson was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. He was most recently with the New England Patriots before being released on August 19. Robinson played two snaps on special teams for the Patriots in the Week 2 preseason game against Minnesota. He will wear No. 78 against the Jets. The 25-year-old Robinson suited up in 53 college games for the Jayhawks, registering 98 tackles and 14 sacks.”
Ended College Career With All-Big 12 Honors
Robinson ramped up his production each of his final 4 college seasons, capping things off with 5.5 sacks in 2024 as he earned All-Big 12 honors.
The Montgomery, Alabama, native could fill several roles for the Eagles. He could not only provide depth at edge rusher but also has the size to move inside to one of the defensive end spots — the same spot Milton Williams played at in 2024 and turned into a 4-year, $104 million free agent contract from the Patriots.
‘New Era’ Top 100 Plays
44. Jereme Robinson Forced Fumble + Return (BAY, 2022)
First of all, love this uni combo and hope we see it again. Always will be mad we lost this game, but it always brings a smile to my face seeing a big guy run with the ball. pic.twitter.com/UlYd9243Vz
— TheDiggler (@captaincoit8) July 10, 2025
“(Robinson) fits the bill of a NFL defensive end from a pure looks perspective,” NFL Draft Diamonds analyst William Garner wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “Then you watch him line up anywhere on the DLine. He will line up as a 4-tech, 3-tech, and stand up edge depending on the defensive scheme. Overall, he is a NFL build who plays high, has good versatility, functional get off speed, few but effective pass rush techniques, and relentless effort in pursuit. He is a guy that has a shot at the pro-level, especially with more time to develop his low half play strength and technical abilities.”
Eagles Could Make Huge Move at Edge Rusher
One look at Philadelphia’s sacks leaders from 2024 underlines the dire predicament they could be headed for in 2025.
Last year’s sacks leader, Josh Sweat, left for the Arizona Cardinals on a 4-year, $76.4 million free agent contract. Williams (5.0 sacks) is gone and so is veteran and 2-time Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham (4.5 sacks), who retired after the season.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean (3.5 sacks) might not even play in 2025 after he tore his patellar tendon in the playoff opener. Bryce Huff (2.5 sacks) was traded to the San Francisco 49ers after he signed a 3-year, $51 million contract before the 2024 season.
One solution could be a blockbuster trade. If the Eagles are willing to give up their 2026 first round pick, there’s probably a chance they could pull off a trade for disgruntled Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
