PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Ever wonder what the invite-only parties are like at the NFL Scouting Combine? What about the lavish dinners, where the only item more juicy than pricey steaks is the priceless information being exchanged by league powerbrokers?
Indianapolis might be better known for its mellow Midwestern vibes than a bustling nightlife, but every year at the end of February, the city transforms into the ultimate football mixer.
League executives, team decision-makers, coaches, assistants, prospects, agents, media, job hunters — they all flock to Indy to mingle just as much as to evaluate talent.
This winter, the Philadelphia Eagles were certainly a prominent topic of conversation. Such is usually the case for the Super Bowl champ, given the combine comes less than a month after the NFL title game. Everyone in attendance wants to find out more about the secret sauce: How did the winning team pull off its run? What did it learn en route to its success that other franchises could replicate?
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“No. 1, the philosophy of quarterbacks and trenches, that’s pretty enduring in our sport,” said Andrew Berry, general manager of the Cleveland Browns. He previously worked in the Eagles’ front office.
“Philly’s creativity in pulling every lever in terms of how they build,” he said. “That’s what makes them the best right now.”
Andy Reid felt the brunt of the Eagles’ dominance last year as much as any opponent in the league. With the Eagles’ 40-22 shellacking of his Chiefs still fresh, the Kansas City head coach had nothing but praise for his old team, especially general manager Howie Roseman.
“The fact that he’s … re-tooled and brought in the quality of players they have, hats off to him,” he said.
As for the Eagles themselves, it was business as usual in Indy. Their contingent was led by Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni, both of whom spent more time looking ahead to 2025 than waxing about the Birds reclaiming the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
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“You’re always trying to find competitive advantages,” Roseman said. “We have a vision for how the team is going to look and what’s really important for us to continue playing at a high level.”
“This is a really important part of the draft process and going through the steps to get better,” Sirianni added.
In addition to the general remarks they made to reporters during scheduled press conferences at the combine, Roseman and Sirianni also held a side session with a small group of Philadelphia media.
It was one of the many opportunities that The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane took advantage of during his week-long stay in Indianapolis. A veteran of covering the combine, McLane has learned where to look for and listen to emerging gossip and intelligence that shape the early stages of the NFL offseason.
Who did he run into at hotel bars? Where do potential sources hang out into the wee hours of the morning? Join McLane for this tag-along edition of “unCovering the Birds,” as he takes you behind the scenes of one of the busiest events in football.
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“unCovering the Birds” is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season. Follow on the free Audacy app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you listen to podcasts.