Philadelphia’s struggles on that side of the ball became a talking point throughout the season, highlighted by a defense that was able to produce a rebound instead of slowly wasting away.
Wide receiver AJ Brown complained about his role at various points during the season, both via a cryptic post on social media and on a Twitch stream, and then refused to apologize for it. Quarterback Saquon Barkley spent much of his follow-up season winning Offensive Player of the Year at bay. He finished nine games under 4.0 yards per carry after doing so just twice the previous campaign. After a Week 9 bye, the Eagles only managed 20 points three times in 10 games, including a 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers that ended the season.
During that loss, Philly got off to a strong start with two touchdown drives on its first three drives, the second an impressive 94-yard march, only to be followed by a familiar malaise and boos from the home crowd. Of the Eagles’ last seven games, four of them ended with scores of one net yard. Two led to field goals, and Philadelphia’s final drive after the 49ers pulled back ended with a turnover on downs just outside the red zone.
The final two quarters and pointless turnover that doomed the Eagles, combined with a struggling defense that kept a win possible as long as it could, was an unfortunate microcosm of the season.
Jalen Hurts fielded a question about Patullo’s future during a locker cleanout the next day, and Barkley pointed out that someone had to take the blame, even if it wasn’t fair.
That blame certainly fell squarely on Patullo’s shoulders, leaving the Eagles searching for their fifth offensive line coach in five years.
However, there is reason for optimism.
Despite the struggling season, Philadelphia still boasts easily one of the most talented offensive rosters in the NFL. Plus, the last time the Eagles went from a Super Bowl game to replacing an OC following a wild disappointment, they rebounded and returned to the game’s biggest stage the following season.
It was there that they captured their second Lombardi Trophy.
The question now is if they can do it again.