Howie

Roseman

In short, Roseman complimented his No. 1 wide receiver while refusing to say whether the team is open to trading him. Per Roseman, when the Eagles “go out in free agency and the Draft,” they are " trying to find great players who love football and [Brown is] that guy.” It is the type of answer one expects to hear from a smart general manager who is willing to make big moves, and it gives the audience very little to go on.

Sirianni and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman held a press conference today, where they discussed former OC Kevin Patullo’s recent firing and how the team plans to find his replacement. Both individuals want to “do what’s best for this football team” and hope to find “the guy [that] best fits us.” Given Roseman’s involvement, the team is likely seeking a creative, proven and analytically-minded coach for their offensive coordinator vacancy. Former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll are reportedly “at the top” of the Eagles’ list for the position.

There were nine playing rule proposals submitted to the NFL, two of which were proposed by the Eagles. There have been growing concerns with the onside kick over the previous few years, which the XFL tackled by allowing a 4th and 15 from a team’s own 25 yard line. The Eagles proposed a 4th and 20 option from the kicking team’s own 20 yard line. Seemingly an afterthought, the Eagles also proposed to allow players to wear the number zero.

It’s a messy deal, but the trade boils down to the Saints buying a first-round pick this year at the cost a third-round pick in the upcoming draft plus future first and second-round selections. This isn’t the first time the Eagles have acquired future selections at a discount as they got one of their three first-round picks this year by letting the Dolphins move up in the 2021 NFL Draft. The move also fits the Saints’ history of being impatient with the draft picks they have. It’s possible that the Saints are positioning themselves for a run at quarterback, though they may also see their roster as a few standout rookies away from being atop the NFC. Either way, Eagles GM Howie Roseman gets to continue stockpiling future draft capital while Mickey Loomis and the Saints are betting on their talent evaluators finding high-impact rookies once again.

Roseman had been set to enter the final year of his deal, so this takes him out of lame-duck status. He’s been with the Eagles since 2000 and has been the general manager two separate times, from 2010-2014 initially before losing a power struggle with ex-coach Chip Kelly in 2015, and then getting his title back in 2019 while adding executive VP to his name. Roseman has generally performed pretty well at his job. The thing in Philly right now is trying to figure out if Jalen Hurts is the Eagles’ long-term quarterback.

We know firsthand this isn’t true for all teams, and Pauline makes it clear it pertains specifically to GMs who “come through the scouting ranks.” Per Pauline, scouts and coaches he’s spoken to since last week’s East-West Shrine All-Star game remain of the belief analytics “have little to do with Xs and Os as well (as) the work ethic and personality of players or the ability of prospects to fit a specific position.” Last February, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl after placing a heavy emphasis on analytics to improve their decision-making processes. If what Pauline is hearing is true, it reinforces the fact that analytical teams have a decided advantage on their stone-age competition.

The two teams met for a coin flip at the Combine on Friday to determine the pick. Eagles GM Howie Roseman won the toss and netted the 14th selection via the Vikings as a result of the Sam Bradford trade. Philadelphia’s first-round pick has been linked to trade talks for disgruntled Brandin Cooks.

Executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman is operating as the de facto general manager, but Philadelphia was interested in bringing in someone to head the scouting department after firing coach Chip Kelly and top personnel executive Ed Marynowitz. Teams will not allow their best and brightest to interview this close to free agency and the draft, however, and the Eagles apparently did not like any of the available candidates. They should have more luck once the draft is finished.

Roseman won’t have the title of general manager, but it sounds like the Eagles won’t be hiring one. Instead, the trio of authority will be Roseman, Senior Director of Player Personnel Tom Donahoe, and the new coach. They’ll form a collaborative effort to make decisions. Roseman was the Eagles’ GM from 2010-2014 before being forced out of the role by Chip Kelly last offseason.

As ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated Wednesday morning, the Eagles wanted to get this deal done today. After the Rams traded up from No. 15 to first overall, rumors began swirling the Browns wanted to move out of No. 2. They move down six spots and get a gigantic haul to do so. At No. 2, the Eagles appear to be locking in on whichever quarterback the Rams don’t choose, or they could be jumping the Cowboys at No. 4 for Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott. We’ll know for sure next week.