PHILADELPHIA — The toughest thing about the 2023 season, at least for franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts, is having to go home.
At least, having to go home so early and watch another team hoist the Lombardi Trophy, which the Eagles were in range of until collapsing in the second half of the last Super Bowl.
“Ultimately, as a team, we have to have the same common ‘why’ in why we do what we do,” Hurts said in his exit interview Wednesday. “And so, it’s just a matter of navigating that. It’s a thrill in not being satisfied. It’s a thrill in not accomplishing something because it drives you that much more to get it done. Like I said, that’s the worst of it all, that someone else is going to hoist that trophy up, and someone else is going to be world champions. But it just simply was not our time. It was not our turn.
“And so, we’ll press for it, move forward, and keep the main thing the main thing. I’ll self-assess, re-evaluate those things internally so I can be the best that I can be holistically for everyone here.”
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Eagles center Jason Kelce was unwilling to commit to retirement Wednesday, explaining that he’d announce his decision at the appropriate time.
It had been reported that Kelce told teammates he planned to hang up his cleats after his 13th season ended in 32-9 playoff loss to the Bucs on Monday.
Kelce, 36, put in a plug for head coach Nick Sirianni, who tried everything he could think of yet still couldn’t halt the ugly late-season slide in which the Eagles lost six of their last seven games. And for the most part, they did so in a most disorganized way.
“The reality of this business is when you’re that bad, it’s a collective thing,” Kelce said. “But I’ll always have faith in Nick Sirianni. I think he does a lot of things structurally and organizationally that I think are well done. Obviously, we got a lot of things to fix and improve the outcomes and the offense in general for next year. But I think very, very highly of Nick Sirianni.”
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Veteran cornerback Darius Slay suffered a hyperextension in his back after being pinned and bent over backward in a pile of players in Tampa.
Slay was carted off the field when he was unable to walk without considerable pain, a scary moment when both teams huddled together near the cart.
“I told him not bring out the cart out at first,” Slay said. “My OG always told me if the leg ain’t broke, you got to walk off. As I stood up it was the worst pain I ever felt in my life. So, I had to sit right down. I was really crying because I knew in that group chat they were going to say I was soft. I couldn’t really walk though.”
Slay’s wife and mother were waiting outside the locker room after the game. Slay got an MRI and said the recovery is typically three to four weeks.
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Among veteran free agents, defensive end Brandon Graham would like to play a 15th season with the Eagles, which would be a club record.
Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox isn’t so sure, though, and he completely cleared his locker.
“It’s just one of those things you have to think about,” Cox said of free agency. “Nothing has crossed my mind. Obviously, they drafted some young talent and they’re the future of this team, so we’ll see.”
With 5.0 sacks, Cox had a solid season. He also was a mentor to said tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, both first round draft picks. If nothing else Cox, proved that he has some years left in the league, if he wants them.
“I’ve always felt like that,” Cox said. “They’ve been trying to replace me forever. They can’t get rid of me. I love Mr. (Jeffrey) Lurie.”
If Cox is unable to reach an accord for a 13th season with the Eagles, there’s always a possible reunion with coordinator Jim Schwartz in Cleveland.
“I’ll have to think about that,” Cox said.
Source: Berkshire mont
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