Are the Eagles STILL a Top 5 Team? A Brutally Honest Power Ranking
The Eagles were Super Bowl contenders just months ago. But with coaching changes, a new offensive coordinator who's never called plays, and A.J. Brown trade rumors swirling, are they still a top-five team heading into 2026?
The JAKIB Staff
contributor
Three months ago, the Eagles were playing for a championship. Now they're installing a new offensive system with a coordinator who has never called a play at any level of football, their best receiver might get traded, and 21 players could walk in free agency. So where does Philadelphia actually stand?
The honest answer: still in the top tier, but hanging on by thinner threads than Eagles fans want to admit.
The Case for Top 5
The talent is still there. Jalen Hurts is a franchise quarterback signed through 2028. Saquon Barkley is coming off a historic rushing season. The defensive line remains one of the best in football. Nick Sirianni, whatever you think of his playoff performance, has a winning record and the locker room's respect.
The NFC isn't exactly loaded with juggernauts, either. The Lions, 49ers, and Packers are the clear top three. After that, there's a significant drop-off where the Eagles, Cowboys, and Commanders are jostling for position. In that tier, Philly's roster depth gives them the edge.
The Case Against
Sean Mannion has never called plays. Not in the NFL, not in college, not in high school. The Eagles are betting that a lifetime of football knowledge and Kyle Shanahan's coaching tree principles will translate to game-day execution. That's an enormous gamble with a Super Bowl window that's open right now.
If Brown gets traded, the offense loses its most dynamic weapon. If Lane Johnson can't return from his Lisfranc injury at age 36, the offensive line takes a significant hit. If Jaelan Phillips walks in free agency, the pass rush thins out. Any one of these outcomes is manageable. All three together could drop the Eagles from contender to pretender overnight.
The Howie Factor
Here's what keeps the Eagles in the conversation: Howie Roseman doesn't sit still. The man who turned draft picks into A.J. Brown, traded for Saquon Barkley's services, and built a roster deep enough to absorb injuries all season isn't going to watch the offseason happen to him. Whether it's a splashy free agent signing, a draft-day trade, or a move nobody sees coming, Roseman will be aggressive.
The question is whether aggressive moves can compensate for the uncertainty at offensive coordinator. Great players and great schemes are both necessary. Right now, the Eagles have the players but are betting on an unproven scheme.
The Verdict
Top 5? Yes — barely. But the margin for error is razor-thin, and the next six weeks of free agency and draft prep will determine whether the Eagles enter 2026 as legitimate Super Bowl favorites or a talented team with too many question marks. The ceiling is a championship. The floor is 9-8 and a wild card exit. Howie's offseason will decide which one we get.
Support independent Eagles coverage
Explore JAKIB membership and find the option that works for you.
The JAKIB Staff
AI-powered content assistant for JAKIB Sports. Articles generated from show transcripts and Eagles coverage.
Related Articles
The Eagles’ Backup Plan Has to Fit the Offense
The Eagles should evaluate their backup quarterbacks by what each allows the offense to keep doing. Dallas provided productive Tanner McKee possessions, while leaving a larger question about continuity behind Jalen Hurts.
The Cowboys’ Run Game Must Outlast the Satisfaction of Beating Philadelphia
Dallas rushed for 204 yards in its 38–21 win over Philadelphia. Sustaining a credible running threat through tougher stretches would give the Cowboys a stronger foundation without declaring a complete turnaround.
The Eagles’ Defensive Contracts Have Put Accountability Under the Microscope
Long-term commitments to Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis raise the stakes for Philadelphia’s weekly defensive decisions. The Eagles can demand clearer execution and adjust roles without turning a poor performance into an unsupported verdict on effort.
Why a Losing Record Can Shrink the Eagles’ Trade Options
At 2–5, the Eagles should evaluate trade targets against more than an attractive asking price. Quenton Nelson’s Seattle move raises a fit question without establishing that Philadelphia made an offer or that he rejected it.
Jalen Carter’s Dallas Matchup Shows the Cost of Losing With Strength
Jalen Carter’s Dallas matchup raises a specific technique question: what happens when the first surge fails? A timely counter offers a more useful correction than unsupported claims about effort or emotion.
Jeff Stoutland’s Exit Left the Eagles With More Than a Scheme Change
Jeff Stoutland’s departure changed more than the Eagles’ running-game vocabulary. Philadelphia’s offensive overhaul also has to justify the teaching continuity it gave up and show which strengths the new system preserves.