Philadelphia Eagles: Biggest Offseason Questions

Are we sure A.J. Brown will be traded? (Yes)

In his four seasons as an Eagle, wide receiver A.J. Brown has averaged 85 receptions for 1,289 yards and eight touchdowns — yet the feeling has grown greater and greater that he’s more of a distraction for this team than a savior. Thus, it’s been widely reported that Brown will be traded after June 1, when his salary cap hit isn’t as great as it would be today.

The pre-draft reports that Brown is out were backed up when the Eagles traded up a few spots to make USC receiver Makai Lemon the 20th overall pick in the first round. However, Brown led the team with 121 targets last season — who else besides Lemon will be getting those targets this season? While DeVonta Smith would inherit the WR1 role if/when Brown is traded, he already was targeted 111 times last season.

The Eagles also signed free agent receiver Hollywood Brown and traded for Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks, so those are two more options that will be worked into the system during minicamps.

Are the Eagles one big happy family?

Again, for a team that has appeared in two of the last four Super Bowls, there is more unrest in Philadelphia than there should be. Despite a 59-26 career record, Sirianni often seems to be on the hot seat. Despite a 57-25 career record as starting quarterback, Hurts continues to have doubters.

If 11-6 and a divisin title can be considered a “down year,” is this team ready to fight back?

“They’re hungry to continue to connect with each other, connect with their new teammates,” Sirianni said after the draft. “I’ve really seen them spend a lot of time together knowing how important this phase of the offseason is to be able to come together as a team. Sometimes in the season, you don’t have these opportunities that you work till midday and then you’ve got a long portion of the day to be able to do some things with your teammates.

“I’ve seen them really working hard at that because we know how important that piece is for our football team to come together as a football team. They’re working really hard at that. … Everything starts right back at the beginning and we’re building it as if we’re starting from square one again. Not only in the schemes, not only a new scheme with offense, the same [with] scheme on defense, same [with] scheme on special teams, same thing with our strength and conditioning, same thing with our core values, same thing with our relationships.”