PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Although General Manager Howie Roseman denies that the Eagles are in a "transition" phase, Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie used that term after firing Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson.
Whatever Roseman thinks, legendary Eagles center Jason Kelce told reporters on Wednesday: "There's no question we're in a transition period."
Kelce, one of the longest-tenured Eagles, now entering his 11th season with the club, pointed to the fact there's a new coaching staff and new quarterback — two of the most important facets of a professional football team.
However, just because the Eagles have so many new pieces, and they are coming off a 4-11-1 season, Kelce is no less encouraged about playing as he turns 34 later this year. He still thinks this team can compete.
"I think the biggest difference between football and a lot of sports is that being in a transition period doesn't mean that you can't compete and be competitive," he said.
Especially in the NFC East — a division that was arguably one of the worst in football history last season.
"We can win this division," Kelce said. "I have no doubt about that — if we go out there about it the right way, we improve, we continue to get better as a team."
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And the most fascinating part of Kelce's mindset is that he wants to be an integral part of this phase in Eagles history. He was ushered in at the end of the Andy Reid era. And he saw the downfall of Chip Kelly, as well as the re-emergence of Roseman and ascension of Pederson. And now, he's on his fourth head coach — Nick Sirianni, with a young second round offensive lineman to mentor, Landon Dickerson — and a whole lot of optimism that better days are ahead for the Eagles.
"I'm excited to come back and to help in this transition as a veteran player. I think that's a big part of my role."
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The Eagles are currently going through a modified off-season program, focusing on learning and conditioning, that was agreed upon between coaches and players. There are no 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills, and there is no mandatory minicamp in June.