In 2022, the Philadelphia Eagles fielded a fearsome pass rush that led the NFL with 70 sacks. Yet last season, Philadelphia’s pass rush took a step back and finished 19th in the league with just 43 sacks.
Following a disappointing performance in 2023, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman decided it was time to make a change. Roseman made headlines by trading former All-Pro edge rusher Haason Reddick to the New York Jets, while franchise legend Fletcher Cox officially retired.
Suddenly, the Eagles were drastically younger and more inexperienced along the defensive front. Many have questioned if Philadelphia’s youthful pass rush will be good enough. However, according to multiple reports, Philadelphia’s defensive front dominated the New England Patriots during their joint practice on Tuesday.
Eagles Dominate Patriots During Joint Practice, Record 13 Sacks
Following a relatively quiet training camp from Philadelphia’s pass rush, many have grown concerned about the team’s ability to get to the quarterback. Those concerns were heightened after the Eagles recorded just one sack against the Baltimore Ravens in the team’s first preseason game.
After a dominant performance against the Patriots during Tuesday’s joint practice, the panic meter is on the decline in Philadelphia. The Eagles reportedly sacked New England’s quarterbacks an estimated 13 times, according to Pro Football Network’s Dakota Randall.
“It was that bad, both in terms of penalties, pressures allowed, and run blocking,” Randall said regarding the Patriots’ offensive line performance against the Eagles.
While many were worried about Philadelphia’s young defensive front, they seem to have had a strong showing in Foxborough, Mass. Jalen Carter dominated, as expected, while Jordan Davis showed flashes as well. According to multiple reports, Eagles fourth-year defensive tackle Milton Williams had a pair of sacks during team activities.
Nice pass rush win from Milton Williams from today’s joint vs Patriots. pic.twitter.com/jlxlRpe76V
— Mr. Beezy 🤬 (@AJBeezyBetta) August 13, 2024
Bryce Huff also notched a sack during Tuesday’s practice, while likely enjoying time off from head-to-head matchups with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. Following Reddick’s departure, there is a ton of pressure on Huff to fill that void in Philadelphia.
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According to Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation, Eagles second-year edge rusher Nolan Smith got to Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye for a sack as well. While the exact number varies based on reports, it’s safe to say that Philadelphia’s youthful pass rush notched double-digit sacks against the Patriots during their joint practice.
Eagles’ Youth Movement Along Defensive Front Continues To Showcase Potential
After a disastrous performance in 2023, Roseman and the Eagles knew it was time for a change on the defensive side of the ball. While the secondary struggled mightily, it wasn’t helped by a mediocre pass rush that drastically declined.
Earlier this offseason, Roseman emphasized the importance of the Eagles allowing the team’s younger players to actually see the field, which is especially notable along Philadelphia’s defensive front. They have embraced a new era in the trenches.
In 2023, the average age of Philadelphia’s starters at defensive tackle and along the edge was 27 years old. The average of Philadelphia’s projected starters along the defensive front in 2024 is just 25 years old.
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That average age could drop even lower if Josh Sweat loses his starting job to either Nolan Smith or Jalyx Hunt. Over the last three years, the Eagles have had nine picks in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Out of those nine selections, Philadelphia has drafted four players along the defensive front.
Therefore, it’s clear that Roseman and the Eagles have been preparing for this moment. While Vic Fangio’s hiring as defensive coordinator will certainly help, it’s time for the young players along the defensive front in Philadelphia to step up as well.
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