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Philadelphia sports fans are no strangers to crossroads moments. After a run of injuries and misfortune, a team must decide whether to push for immediate contention or accept that a new era requires difficult sacrifices—even if that means parting with beloved stars. In 2026, the Eagles find themselves in exactly that position, echoing the dilemma the 76ers faced in 2013-14 under new general manager Sam Hinkie.
Back in 2013, the 76ers were coming off a 34-48 season under Doug Collins. They had already moved on from Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday, acknowledged the Andrew Bynum trade as a bust, and added Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel to a core that still included Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, and Spencer Hawes. Initially, the decision seemed wise: Carter-Williams went toe-to-toe with LeBron James on opening night and won Rookie of the Year. But as losses mounted, Hinkie chose to tear it all down, prioritizing draft picks and cap flexibility over a futile playoff chase.
Did 'The Process' work perfectly? No. The 76ers suffered injuries to Joel Embiid, missed on draft picks like Jahlil Okafor, and endured setbacks with Ben Simmons, Zhaire Smith, and Markelle Fultz. Yet they eventually built a team that contended in the East for years, even if a championship never materialized.
The Eagles, with two Super Bowls under Howie Roseman, don't carry the same historical burden as the 76ers did. They aren't wasting a LeBron James or clinging to an aging star's twilight. But they do have a golden opportunity to use the final 12 weeks of the 2026 season as a testing ground, with a premium draft pick—rather than another playoff berth—as the ultimate prize.
While it may be painful to accept that losses are likely each week, the Eagles have a star quarterback waiting in the wings, promising young talent on the rise, and a chance to evaluate who else can emerge over the next few weeks. Why not seize that opportunity to see what's next? The Eagles need to Trust The Process and turn their attention to 2027.
Key Analysis
Which Eagles are untouchable in 2026? Hurts remains in that category unless he demands a trade—which no one could blame him for—along with DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, and perhaps Cooper DeJean, even if his 2026 hasn't matched his 2025. All rookies and second-year players also fall into this group, as their ceilings remain undefined and teams would have to overpay to acquire them.
A second tier includes players who aren't untouchable but also aren't in high demand, with Day 3 compensation not worth moving on from the likes of Jordan Davis, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Dontayvion Wicks, Tyler Steen, Jonathan Greenard, and other solid starters.
What remains is a collection of players on shorter-term contracts who can contribute at an above-replacement level—players like Saquon Barkley, Zack Baun, Nolan Smith, Moro Ojomo, and especially Riq Woolen. They still have gas in the tank and could be medium-term pieces for a team chasing a Super Bowl now. Think of them as the equivalents of Young, Holiday, Turner, or Iguodala: not at the end of the line, but not enough to turn a six-win Eagles team into a contender. However, they could elevate an 11-win team to 13 wins with an elite game or two.
Saying goodbye to Barkley after a career-best season would be tough, but no tougher than when Carter-Williams was shipped to Milwaukee after his Rookie of the Year campaign—especially since Barkley, at 31, will only become less explosive. For teams like the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, or Los Angeles Rams, a running back with a 2,000-yard season on his résumé could be the missing piece. Baun is a one-man wrecking crew at linebacker, Woolen can lock down a side of the field, and the duo of Ojomo and Smith could offer similar upside to Milton Williams with the Patriots—or so Roseman would pitch to interested parties.
Could the Eagles get back on track with Sean Mannion and Tanner McKee forming an unstoppable attack? Anything is possible, but with the season likely over even in a wide-open NFC East, it makes more sense to see what players like Darius Cooper, Eli Stowers, Trotter Jr., and Ty Robinson can do versus relying on veterans, especially with some set to hit free agency. With the Eagles' cap situation already tight, shipping off more veterans on long-term contracts is an ideal way to use 2026—especially if teams believe they're shopping at a premium purveyor rather than the outlets.
Originally reported by yahoo.