Promotions aren’t always what they seem. At least not in the instance of Howie Roseman, who managed the Philadelphia Eagles’ draft and free agency strategy from 2010 to 2014 before having those responsibilities taken away from him and handed over to Chip Kelly, the team’s head coach at the time.
Roseman oversaw the off-field employees and salaries while Kelly continued to lead the team. However, the team granted Roseman another chance to be general manager after Kelly was sacked five days prior to the 2015 regular season finale.
He hasn’t turned around.
Roseman stated on NBC’s ProFootballTalk in 2018 that it was perhaps the nicest thing that had ever happened to him. Did I ever imagine myself returning in a prominent role in Philadelphia? No. I don’t believe I did. However, I was adamant that I would make an effort to act morally every day, improve, and gain knowledge.
Since being put back in that position, Roseman has guided the Eagles to four NFC East championships, three Super Bowl trips, and the team’s first-ever victory in 2017. On Sunday, Philadelphia will play the Kansas City Chiefs for a second league title.
Michael Barkann stated on NBC Sports that his career is currently at its highest point. Following the Eagles’ victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game, Philadelphia’s postgame show. He has already won general manager of the year, and with the way he has built this Eagles squad, he might win it again and many more times.
Reuben Frank of NBC Sports stated that he is probably just one victory away from being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Roseman’s astute offseason decisions were a major factor in the Eagles’ arrival. These choices resulted in what is perhaps the NFL’s most skilled roster today.
April 2020: Drafts quarterback Jalen Hurts 53rd overall out of Oklahoma
After Hurts’ outstanding performances at Oklahoma and Alabama, where he began his college career before transferring, Philadelphia selected him in the second round. Hurts started off as Carson Wentz’s backup, but Wentz’s subpar play allowed Hurts to start late in his first campaign. He never returned the work.
Despite being only 6′ 1″, his speed and physique make him an ideal dual-threat quarterback. In addition, he is a competent passer even though he can run and take off (and do the tush push play better than anyone else in the NFL). He made a career-high 68.7% of his attempts this season.
With a starting record of 46–20, Hurts has Philadelphia poised to capture the Lombardi Trophy once more.
March 2020: Trades with Lions for cornerback Darius Slay
In 2020, Roseman acquired the outstanding defensive back by trading a third-round pick (No. 85 overall) and a fifth-round pick (No. 166). Slay promptly agreed to stay in Philadelphia by signing a three-year, $50 million extension.
The 2022 NFC champions and this year’s title candidate both benefited greatly from Slay, a six-time Pro Bowl player. During the regular season, he had 13 deflected passes, which was the 13th highest in the league. He has ten solo stops and an interception in three postseason games this season.
April 2021: Trades up to take wide receiver DeVonta Smith 10th overall out of Alabama
In order to strengthen its pass-catcher corps, Philadelphia selected Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, with the 10th pick after trading the No. 12 and No. 84 picks in the 2021 draft. That and more is what he has become. Smith has 308 receptions for 4,011 yards and 27 touchdowns in four seasons.
Smith’s exceptional speed, agility, and dexterity have made him the ideal partner for star wideout A.J. Brown (more on that in a moment). He also has some of the NFL’s top route running and separation skills against defensive backs.
On Sunday, Smith, 26, may make a big impact against a Kansas City secondary that is mediocre in most areas of the league.
September 2021: Tackle Jordan Mailata signs three-year, $64 million extension
Former Australian rugby player Mailata was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 draft as a flier. In 2024, he is the leader of one of football’s top offensive lines.
Mailata is ranked as the NFL’s top offensive lineman by Pro Football Focus. He wins 92% of his games on passing plays, per ESPN Analytics. Additionally, he plays a key role in the tush push.
Mailata is committed to the Eagles through the 2028 season with three separate contracts (this extension and a new three-year pact last summer).
April 2022: Trades with Saints in a deal that eventually nets receiver A.J. Brown and DT Jalen Carter
In return for No. 18 overall, a third-round pick, a seventh-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick, Philadelphia handed New Orleans the 16th overall pick, the 19th overall pick, and a sixth-round pick.
The decision turned out to be a long-term treasure trove. In exchange for Brown, Roseman traded the Tennessee Titans the first and third-round picks from that deal.
The Saints gave them a 2023 first-round pick? Using it, the Eagles selected defensive tackle Jalen Carter out of Georgia and traded up with the Chicago Bears for the ninth overall pick.
Three-time Pro Bowler Brown is currently among the NFL’s top receivers. This season, he caught 67 passes for 1,079 yards and seven touchdowns. He just finished an incredible performance in the NFC championship game, hauling in six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.
In contrast, Carter is a formidable force in the front. He routinely gets in the backfield for run stops or quarterback pressures, earning him recognition as one of the league’s best interior defensive lineman.
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March 2024: Signs safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to three-year deal
Gardner-Johnson, a standout member of the Eagles’ 2022 Super Bowl squad, signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Detroit Lions. He finished third in the league with six interceptions and 18th with 12 pass breakups in 16 games this season.
April 2024: Drafts defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean
Out of Toledo, Philadelphia selected Mitchell with the 22nd overall pick. Washington then received No. 40 and No. 78 in exchange for both of its second-round selections (No. 50 and No. 53) and a fifth-round pick. The former was Iowa’s DeJean, who won the 2023 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
As rookies, they made significant contributions to the NFL’s top defense and have excelled in their first postseason.
According to NextGen Stats, Mitchell has only given up five receptions on 15 targets for 24 yards, two interceptions, and four pass breakups so far this postseason. During the three games, DeJean has three pass breakups and 15 tackles.
The five contenders for NFL defensive rookie of the year included both players.
March 2024: Signs running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal
Not only was this one of the greatest choices made in the previous season, but it might also rank among the greatest in NFL history. In March 2023, the New York Giants tagged Barkley to extend his contract after signing quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract. Instead of paying their star running back what he believed he was worth, they chose to let him go to the free agent market the next year.
The Eagles signed a three-year contract costing $37.75 million, and it has been well worth it. With 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, Barkley was the league leader. This postseason alone, he has five rushing touchdowns and 442 yards on 66 carries (a 6.7-yard average).
Barkley, 27, is a key factor in Philadelphia’s chances of winning a Super Bowl and is a finalist for NFL MVP.
Jones was waived by the Giants in the middle of the season. Earlier in the playoffs, he was spotted supporting his friend and former teammate in Barkley’s suite. It doesn’t get much worse than that for New York supporters.