It’s worth the headache.
That’s what I keep coming back to as reaction pours in after the Eagles tanked Week 17’s game to the Washington Football Team. And we can call it that, with no need to sugarcoat it: The Eagles did everything they could to ensure a loss and the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, no matter how egregious it looked and felt.
Although logical and forward-thinking, it didn’t come without a cost.
Players were reportedly upset on the sidelines. Potential (maybe even likely) 2021 starting quarterback Jalen Hurts looked visibility frustrated on the sidelines. Running back Miles Sanders didn’t hold back during an appearance on WIP, saying “nobody” agreed with the decision. Doug Pederson, a coach praised for his handling of the locker room and emotional intelligence, may have set off a series of unintended consequences.
When you add in local and national reaction, the Eagles have become the biggest story in the NFL this week for all the wrong reasons.
Yet it was all worth it because the value of what the Eagles gained will eventually overtake the hit takens.
Let’s start with the jump from No. 9 to No. 6 in the first round, which is effectively the trade the Eagles made in front of our eyes in Week 17. The value of a move like that is massive, and close to the equivalent to a late second round pick. I’m not sure what Carson Wentz’s potential trade value is this offseason, but it wouldn’t shock me if he only nets a late second or early third-round pick in a deal out of Philadelphia. The Eagles may have effectively gotten the same value Wentz has on the trade market by laying down in a meaningless game.
Your guess is as good as mine as to what the Eagles will do with the No. 6 pick, but here’s what’s now present: Optionality. Yes, let’s use the old Sam Hinkie word. It feels right in a column about losing on purpose for the greater good.
At No. 6, the Eagles have a more reasonable (and less costly) path to move up for a blue-chip player in the top five. They could also accept a trade haul from a team outside the top six that’s determined to move up for a quarterback prospect on draft night. For a team that needs both impact young players and extra draft pick capital to facilitate a rebuild over the next two years, both options seem appealing.
Then, of course, there’s the idea of taking another quarterback for the factory.
I’m a Hurts fan, and would like to see the team give him a shot to be the guy in 2021. There’s something there. He’s a leader, athletic and just gave us all something to be intrigued by despite being the league’s youngest quarterback. Adding a star wide receiver like, say, former Alabama teammate and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith at No. 6 could be the way to help make Hurts the best he can be for the Eagles.
But Hurts didn’t squash all questions about his ability or ceiling. He missed too many throws. He took sacks. He seemed to run away from the pocket too quickly, too often. I’m intrigued and excited for his potential, but not sold on his future. The Eagles shouldn’t be either. If there are quarterback prospects at the top of this class with bigger upside and more potential, the Eagles would be foolish not to consider taking one.
All of those options are now present in exchange for a little bit of bad PR outside of the NovaCare Complex.
As far as the internal headache, and possibility of a lingering long-term effect on the locker room? Let’s quote Dr. Suess (likely a first on this site): “Those that mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Were some veterans upset? I’m sure of it. Did some Eagles greats feel cheated, especially if it was their last game in midnight green? Of course. But let’s not forget the reality of players’ careers: They are temporary. It would surprise no one if 20 or more players from the 2020 Eagles never play another down in Philadelphia. Most of these guys are renting space, and aren’t married to this franchise for much longer. If they are upset, it won’t be able to last in a locker room they aren’t part of in 2021.
As for the young guys that could be a big part of the team moving forward? Time heals wounds. Take Hurts as an example. He said the right things after the game, but anyone watching the game (or with the ability to read lips) saw how he felt. But is this really going to damage his relationship or trust in Pederson or the team now? Hardly. Hurts needs Pederson to believe in him and for the Eagles to give him a real shot. Frustration at the team holds no value for a young player trying to establish himself.
Vitriol will subside. Young players will get over it. Pederson’s five years of emotional intelligence will hold more weight than one night of doing what was best for the franchise over what was best for the locker room. The No. 6 pick gives the Eagles a significant asset to help fix a roster in need of fixing.
The Eagles annoyed most of the NFL in Week 17, but it was worth it.
