PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Eagles have played 47 postseason games in the history of their franchise, and Sunday's 31-15 loss at Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers is arguably one of their worst playoff performances.
Objectively, the Bucs dominated throughout and were in a different league. It was a sour ending to a season that unexpectedly saw the Eagles make it to an extended playoff field. That’s why, despite the frustrating outcome, quarterback Jalen Hurts said this:
"When I look at this season, nobody expected us to be where we are, and here we are. So, this doesn't define us, and I know we'll be hungry, and I know we'll come back better next year."
But there are many questions going into next season, as there would be for any 9-8 team that didn't go on a playoff run. Is legendary center Jason Kelce retiring? Will the Eagles bring back disappointing 2020 first round pick Jalen Reagor, who has struggled to produce as a wide receiver and punt returner? Sunday had several mistakes in that department.
And is Hurts the quarterback of the future, let alone next season?
Nick Sirianni publicly defended Hurts, who had one of his least inspiring performances in this 16-point defeat.
"I feel really good with what we have in place right here at the quarterback position," Sirianni said.
Do Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie, as well as General Manager Howie Roseman, feel the same way? That will be answered in the coming months, especially as Roseman handles the unprecedented situation of the Eagles having three first-round draft picks.
This is not the first dose of football adversity Hurts has faced. He was benched at halftime in the National Championship Game when he was at Alabama, and he overcame that to become a second-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2020. He bounced back from his three-interception performance against the Giants to help lead the Eagles in the playoffs, despite dealing with a fairly easy schedule. Will he convince the Eagles’ decisionmakers to let him continue as the starting quarterback in 2022?
That's to be determined, but the 23-year-old seems determined to bounce back the Eagles’ latest thud in Tampa – and be better – when football resumes later this year.
"This season was far from a failure. It's only a failure if you don't learn from it," Hurts said.
"My third year starts [Monday.]"