Watch: Former Eagles Super Bowl champ thinks team is 'well-oiled machine'
Even die-hard Eagles fans will tell you the defending NFC champions have looked rusty in two straight wins. But one of their former players thinks the team looks like a “well-oiled machine.”
Chris Long played 11 years in the NFL, with his last two seasons in Philadelphia. During a recent episode of his "Green Light" podcast, Long had praise for the Eagles' offensive and defensive lines, their quarterback and general manager Howie Roseman.
Long describes Roseman as someone who can make cap space “appear out of thin air.” He may have to if the team continues to lose players like Avonte Maddox. According to Spotrac, only the Bills and Broncos have less salary cap space than the Eagles this year, but even after signing quarterback Jalen Hurts to a five-year, $255M deal, Philadelphia jumps to 18th place in 2024 with almost $22M available.
The former Eagle also had kind words for the Eagles defensive line, in particular young players like defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. Through two games, Davis has nearly half as many tackles as he had last season to go with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Meanwhile, Carter has been a disruptive force with a sack of his own in his first NFL game. Long believes the duo will only get better, and with players like Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham on the roster, they get to learn from two of the best.
Long saved his highest praise for Hurts and Philadelphia's offensive line. The Eagles have given up seven sacks already, but Long is quick to point out the massive running lanes they’ve created. You won’t hear any argument from running back D’Andre Swift after running for 175 yards against the Vikings on Thursday night.
Finally, Long gives quarterback Jalen Hurts high marks not for his on-field play, but for his leadership and maturity. He notes that A.J. Brown’s recent tirade would have been much worse if not for Hurts' steady demeanor, which is probably true.
Overall, it’s a very “glass-half-full” approach to Philadelphia's 2023 season. Eagles fans are generally more pessimistic, but as long as the team is winning, they’ll make an exception.
More must-reads: