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The Philadelphia Eagles' final game of the 2025 season was a microcosm of the rest.
Inefficient offense once again plagued Nick Sirianni's squad in a 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers over Wild Card Weekend, as the Eagles' 11-6 season finished with a first-round exit. All year, however, the defending Super Bowl champions had appeared discombobulated -- especially offensively.
Despite a strong defense and effective turnover-free play from Jalen Hurts throughout 2025, first-year offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo never quite found a play-calling rhythm with Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith at his disposal. Now, the Eagles' offense will be under the microscope heading into the offseason.
What will Philadelphia do to prepare for 2026? Here's an early look at the decisions facing the Eagles after a first-round playoff exit.
MORE: What is Jalen Hurts' playoff record?
What's next for the Eagles?
There are a few things that can be assured about next year's Eagles team. Jalen Hurts will be the quarterback, Nick Sirianni will be the head coach, and a majority of the major defensive pieces will be returning. With the Lombardi Trophy coming to Philadelphia as recently as a year ago, there's little expectation for the Eagles to take as drastic of a step as moving on from Hurts or Sirianni.
However, changes can still be expected, especially offensively. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's unit remained one of the NFL's best in 2025, allowing the league's fifth-best mark in points per game (19.1). With Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Zach Baun and Jalen Carter remaining the headliners, Philadelphia shouldn't have much defensive work to do this offseason.
The biggest question will be assessing Patullo's future. In 2024, it was Kellen Moore who called plays for the Super Bowl champion Eagles, leaning on a dominant ground game with Barkley to establish a dynamic offense. When Moore left Philadelphia, becoming the New Orleans Saints' head coach, Sirianni chose to replace him internally.
Patullo, previously the team's passing game coordinator, was promoted to offensive coordinator. And while Sirianni, Hurts, Barkley and others publicly accepted blame throughout the 2025 season for offensive woes, the decision to promote Patullo looks like a shaky one at best.
Despite all the talent on the Eagles' offense, they were disconnected all season, something that materialized again in Sunday's playoff loss to the 49ers. Whether it was Barkley struggling to break free for big runs, injuries on the offensive line, Hurts' relationship with Brown appearing fractured or just an overall lack of juice in the offense, Philadelphia could not put points on the board at a high rate this season.
The #Eagles offense under Kevin Patullo
2025
Offensive PPG -- 21.1 (21st in NFL)
Yards per play -- 5.2 (19th)
Yards per carry -- 4.2 (23rd)
Yards per attempt -- 6.6 (14th)
Postseason
Offensive PPG -- 19
Yards per play -- 4.3
Yards per carry -- 3.9
Yards per attempt --…
With names like Kliff Kingsbury and Mike McDaniel on the open market, the Eagles could look to invest in a more experienced offensive coordinator this offseason. If there's one move that they'll be likely to make, it's replacing Patullo.
All of the big names in the offense can be expected back in 2026, except for two big question marks: tight end Dallas Goedert and wide receiver A.J. Brown. Goedert will be a free agent after becoming an elite red zone threat in 2025. Last offseason, he was the subject of trade rumors before inking a one-year extension. Philadelphia could look elsewhere at TE1 despite Goedert becoming a big part of its offense in 2025.
Brown, however may be one of the most fascinating names to watch in the entire NFL offseason. On one hand, under two years ago, he signed an extension with the Eagles through the 2029 season. He's vocally committed to the team previously, and at his best, he's not a player Philadelphia would have interest in moving. But that hasn't been reality lately.
Brown brought plenty of drama throughout the 2025 season, from social media posts to heated interactions with teammates. He vocalized his desires to get the ball more, even after wins, something that the Eagles may have grown tired of. It's certainly a possibility that Philadelphia trades Brown this offseason, giving Devonta Smith a long-awaited WR1 role.
Other top free-agent priorities for Philadelphia include retaining, or replacing, pass rusher Jaelan Phillips. The 2026 offseason will be more about retooling than rebuilding for Philadelphia, with Kevin Patullo and A.J. Brown being the names to watch.
MORE: Inside Nick Sirianni's career playoff record, wins
Will the Eagles fire Kevin Patullo?
It's currently unknown whether the Eagles will make a change at offensive coordinator. However, Patullo's job security will be one of the leading topics for their offseason.
One one hand, Patullo's play calling handicapped a talented offense throughout the 2025 season and into the playoffs; Philadelphia never got its run game in a full-swing, nor did Hurts find many explosive plays on the perimeter to Brown or Smith.
There is a chance that the Eagles view that as the drawbacks of having a first-year offensive coordinator, however, and be willing to keep Patullo in his current role. After all, Hurts has had a different play caller nearly every season of his professional football career. Some continuity there wouldn't hurt in 2026, if the Eagles have confidence in Patullo.
Will the Eagles trade A.J. Brown?
It's also unknown whether the Eagles will move on from A.J. Brown, but if they do, they should be eyeing a big return on the trade market. At the past NFL trade deadline, Brown was rumored as a potential candidate to be moved, but Philadelphia wound up sticking by him through a slow start. He slightly improved in the second half, but not enough to keep trade questions lingering this offseason.
The Eagles could choose to keep Brown, rather making a change at coordinator and hoping it helps the star receiver get re-involved in the offense. They could also be exhausted of Brown's longtime antics. With Barkley and Smith, Philadelphia wouldn't be shy of top offensive weapons without Brown.
Brown declined to speak to the media after Sunday's playoff loss, exiting early after what could've been his last game as an Eagle.
A.J. Brown declined to speak to the media just now.
He gave handshakes to a handful of his teammates on his way out of the locker room and told a group of reporters he was “about to go.”
MORE: A.J. Brown seen in heated interaction with Nick Sirianni during Eagles' playoff loss
Eagles free agents
Goedert will be the biggest name to hit the open market for the Eagles, as he's been the team's leading tight end since Zach Ertz's departure. If Goedert signs elsewhere, Philadelphia would have a significant void to fill at tight end.
Defensively, the four big names for the Eagles are Reed Blankenship, Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean and Azeez Ojulari. All four players have made an impact for Fangio, but Phillips will likely be the priority. The Eagles acquired him from the Dolphins at the trade deadline, and he became arguably their top pass rusher.
Here's the full list of Philadelphia's free agents this offseason.
TE Dallas Goedert
S Reed Blankenship
DL Jaelan Phillips
ED Azeez Ojulari
WR Jahan Dotson
DL Brandon Graham
P Braden Mann
ED Joshua Uche
TE Kylen Granson
G Matt Pryor
LT Fred Johnson
RB A.J. Dillon
LB Nakobe Dean
ED Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
G Brett Toth
FB Ben VanSumeren (RFA)
QB Sam Howell
TE Grant Calcaterra
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