After an up-and-down week regarding franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles have officially announced that his 2026 season is over. He was initially reported to have a superficial blood clot in his calf. Further testing revealed multiple clots in his lungs, sidelining him for the rest of 2026.
With Hurts out for the year, the Eagles are in an awkward spot. His health is paramount in this situation. The NFL is also a tough business, and that side of things should be addressed. With that being said, a change in Philadelphia could come sooner than fans expect.
Philadelphia hired Nick Sirianni as its head coach in 2021. During his tenure, he has a 61-28 record, a 6-4 playoff record, two Super Bowl appearances, and one Super Bowl victory.
Sirianni’s success hasn’t come without scrutiny in his tenure. After losing in Super Bowl LVII, the Eagles went 11-6 with a Wild Card elimination the following year. He was seemingly on the hot seat before he turned it around in 2024, leading the team to a Lombardi Trophy.
Since winning Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles have seen some unexpected lows. A subpar offensive coordinator, a lackluster offense, a star receiver forcing his way out, and now a crumbling season.
Sirianni was quietly a hot-seat candidate before the 2026 season started. A 2-4 start with multiple stars on the injured list doesn’t bode well for any coach. The situation with Hurts may give general manager Howie Roseman a reason to hit the reset button.
The Eagles were already on a downward trend well before Hurts was put on injured reserve. The offensive line saw Philly legend Lane Johnson retire mid-season, and Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
Philadelphia’s superstar running back Saquon Barkley has been extremely limited with his own injury woes. He’s appeared in four of the team’s six games, logging just 36 carries for 182 yards.
Going into Week 6, the Eagles were without Hurts, Barkley, Will Shipley, Tank Bigsby, and Jalyx Hunt. Star receiver DeVonta Smith made his return from a hamstring injury, hauling in seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Hurts has not missed more than two consecutive games to injury since being drafted to the Eagles in 2020. This will be the team’s longest stretch without the Super Bowl MVP.
The Eagles’ offense currently ranks 30th in the NFL in total yards per game (255.5). They’re dead last in first downs (14) and 29th in total points scored (106). The days of a high-scoring juggernaut are over… for now, at least.
The NFC East is still up for grabs, but Philly has underperformed from the get-go. It’s hard to imagine the season improving without Hurts under center.
Regardless of the long-term implications, the Eagles’ 2026 season has quickly fallen apart. With a closing Super Bowl window, Roseman may look to reload and trade aging players for draft capital.
There are already trade rumors surrounding Barkley. At 29 years old, he’s still an extremely high-value option for teams like the Seattle Seahawks or Minnesota Vikings.
Tight end Dallas Goedert is on a one-year, $7-million contract, and the Eagles just drafted his successor in Eli Stowers. The 31-year-old veteran can still be worth a mid-round pick for a team seeking tight end help.
Defensive players like Moro Ojomo and Zack Baun can also draw trade interest if the Eagles look to sell in 2026. Offloading veterans before the November 10th trade deadline could bring Philly a strong haul of picks.
Hurts’ situation opens a million questions for the Eagles’ organization. With multiple players nearing the end of their respective prime, and a potential need to save money, a younger roster may be the goal.
If Roseman hits the reset button, Sirianni may find himself out the door, along with a slew of veteran players. Philly already needs to revamp the offensive line, which will either cost big money or valuable draft picks.
2026 was seen as a “get right” year for the Eagles, especially considering the state of the NFC East. After a lackluster showing in 2025, getting back to the big game was important for multiple reasons. With Johnson retiring, a plethora of injuries, and Hurts’ season being over, that deep playoff run is now a pipe dream.
Roseman has proven to be a master at roster-building during his tenure. He’s led the Eagles to three Super Bowl appearances and two victories, the only two in franchise history.
It’s no secret Philadelphia is heading toward a retooling at the least. Hurts’ situation now opens the possibility of a full-blown rebuild. A win-now roster has turned into a potentially wasted year, one that some veterans and Roseman cannot afford.
It goes without saying that Hurts’ health and safety come first. Whether you love or hate the player, the man behind that is well-respected for good reason. Philly fans, and NFL fans as a community, are wishing him the best and hoping to see him healthy and thriving.
The unfortunate reality of the NFL is that it’s a harsh business. Hurts’ time in Philadelphia is likely far from over, but his surrounding cast may look much different when he makes his return. For the first time in several years, the Eagles are in a massive state of flux.
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