Howie Roseman's recent missteps show Eagles defense is no laughing matter

When asked if Vic Fangio’s experience gets him more sway when it comes to personnel, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman replied, “I'm sure he thinks that.” All jokes aside, maybe the team’s new defensive coordinator should have more say.

Roseman was trying to be funny when speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the team’s defense collapsed in 2023. Here are a few of Roseman’s recent missteps:

DT Jordan Davis

The Eagles weren’t the only ones enamored with Davis’ unique blend of size and speed in 2022. With 4.78 speed at 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, it’s no wonder Roseman grabbed him with the No. 13 pick in the draft.

Unfortunately, after two full seasons, neither Davis nor the team has been able to capitalize on his unique skill set. As a rookie, he was used sparingly during Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run. Last year, reports surfaced that Davis had gotten overweight, which the 24-year-old tackle confirmed.

“Have to look in the mirror at the end of the day,” Davis said. “I’m a man. I can admit when I’ve fallen off. I fell off at the end of the year. I can admit that.”

LB Nakobe Dean

Philadelphia had high hopes for the former Butkus Award winner when they drafted him 83rd overall in 2022. But ineffective play and a 2023 Lisfranc sprain have limited Dean to just four starts in two years.

The other linebackers

After losing leading tackler T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White in free agency, the team tried to replace them with linebackers Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham last offseason.

The results were so bad that Philadelphia signed former Colts LB Shaquille Leonard midway through the season. Leonard had just one start in five games while the Eagles allowed the third-most points per game (25.2) in the NFL.

James Bradberry

In 2022, Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson had six interceptions in 12 games with the Eagles but Roseman let him sign a one-year, $6.5M contract with the Lions last offseason. Meanwhile, he gave cornerback James Bradberry a new three-year, $38M contract and then watched opposing quarterbacks target him all season long.

Bradberry finished the year as the NFL’s 100th-best cornerback according to Pro Football Focus, a number Eagles fans would tell you is too high. Philadelphia would love to move on from the eight-year veteran, but with $17M in dead cap money for 2024, Roseman has no choice but to keep Bradberry around.

Next time, check with Fangio.