A Handful of Eagles with a win on Sunday, could end up in Canton
The Eagles have a lot riding on this game on Sunday. Anytime you make the Super Bowl, it feels like a must-win, but this game could have some legacy-defining implications for a handful of Eagles. People like Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni can lock in legacies with a win. Ask Nick Foles what winning this game does for your reputation in this city. For another handful of Eagles, a win on Sunday could very well get them into the Hall of Fame one day. Whether it be the accolade that puts their resume over the top or another piece of validation that many others do not have, the chance at a ring Sunday means a whole lot.
Jeffrey Lurie: The Architect of a New Era in Philly
On May 6th, 1994, Lurie bought the Philadelphia Eagles. Over the next 30 years, we would see the most successfully run organization in the history of Philadelphia. They have been a world-class organization, always evolving and putting their money where their mouth is. Every player who plays here raves about how well-run the organization is. On the field, they have experienced 18 playoff births, 11 Division Titles, an NFC record 8 NFC Title Game Appearances, 4 NFC Championships, and 1 Super Bowl Victory (hopefully 2 come Sunday).
The Eagles are 5th in the NFL in total wins since Lurie took over, behind only the Steelers, Patriots, Chiefs, and Packers. What might make what the Eagles have done more impressive is the amount of change they endured. All 4 of those teams lucked into elite QBs and coaching combos that yielded massive success. The Eagles have done this with 6 different coaches and at least 7-10 QBs starting substantial games for them over that time. A clear credit to the ship Lurie manages. They can evolve and remain successful. The idea of Lurie in the Hall of Fame is something that you don’t think about, but owners do get in, and if Lurie adds a second Lombardi to the cupboard, he might very well end up there.
Howie Roseman: The GM Who Keeps the Eagles on Top
It feels pretty safe to say that Howie has cemented a pretty solid resume for himself in the city of Philadelphia. From being an intern in 2000 and climbing up to Executive Vice President and General Manager, Howie Roseman has overseen one of the most successful eras in Eagles’ history. To keep it brief Howie is overseeing the 3rd Eagles team to make the Super Bowl in the past 7 seasons, including a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl 52. Most famously, the Eagles have gone on this journey of success while rotating out the majority of the roster, including the head coach and quarterback. Howie’s wheeling and dealing have made him a 2x Executive Of The Year (Should be 3) and it may land the Eagles their 2nd Super Bowl title in the last 7 years. The Eagles winning on Sunday probably gets Roseman a spot in the Hall of Fame. He has been GM since 2010. 10 of 15 seasons have been winning seasons and 9 have ended in playoff appearances. 6 Division titles, 3 NFC Championships, and 1 Super Bowl Victory, really put him in special space, but that second ring could be what launches him into the next level.
Lane Johnson: One More Ring Could Lock in His Hall of Fame Case
To be fair there is a decent chance Lane gets in regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s game because he has been a standout tackle on one of the better teams in the NFL for over a decade now. Especially a team like Philadelphia that puts their lineman on a pedestal like other positional superstars. Lane is a 6x Pro Bowler and 2x All-Pro. He has realistically been the best Right Tackle in the NFL for 8+ seasons now. A 2nd ring and a key piece of 3 NFC Championship winning teams, is all he probably needs to lock down a spot in Canton.
Darius Slay: Could a Ring Push Him Into Canton?
This one is interesting. Slay has had an incredible career for over a decade now. His name was always discussed amongst the league’s best corners. He is a 6x Pro Bowler and 1x All-Pro. Slay Ranks 7th all-time in Passes Defended (stat kept since 1999). That is more than Hall Of Fame Safeties Ed Reed and Brian Dawkins. It also outranks his CB counterparts like Joe Haden, Darelle Revis (HOF), and Stephen Gilmore. A Lombardi Trophy would go a long way in Slay’s case for Canton. While it should not be the only factor, rings count a ton towards these things and while I have always been, maybe unnecessarily critical of Slay, it is hard to argue he isn’t deserving of a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Saquon Barkley: On Track for Greatness
Saquon Barkley may be the furthest away from the HOF of the guys above him but is clearly on the trajectory. Barkley is currently in the middle of arguably the best running back season in NFL history and barring something crazy will set the record for most rushing yards in a season combined with the playoffs on Sunday. If the next few seasons prove to be as fruitful, with good stats, combined with a potential ring this season, he could carry things a long way. He is well on the path and how he ages probably will be the deciding factor. He should clear 10,000 yards rushing and if he gets to around 12,000 that will all, but guarantee it. He is currently 27 and has 7,216 yards. That being said if Barkley is the MVP of a team that goes on to win it all, that could lock him in.
Brandon Graham: A Philly Legend, But Can He Be More?
It would be a bit of a stretch to say Graham could get into the Hall of Fame, but there might not ever be another player who flipped the narrative on themselves better. Graham was labeled a bust early on in his career, and it was only deepened with the success of Earl Thomas and Jason Pierre-Paul who were drafted immediately after him. Graham dug deep and kept chugging along though. Eventually getting a Pro Bowl nomination in 2020 and making unequivocally the biggest play in the Eagles’ history: Strip-sacking Tom Brady in the final minutes of Super Bowl 52 to all but clinch the franchise its first Super Bowl. Graham’s positivity is infectious and he has become a fan favorite. He will be one of only a select few Eagles to have been to all 3 Super Bowls over these 7 years. A 2nd ring would move him up the rungs as well. He has a shot at the Hall of Fame, but Graham going down as an Eagles’ legend who will probably have their number retired by the team is beyond a successful career.
Do you think any of the above Eagles players or personnel will end up in the NFL Hall of Fame? Do they need this second Super Bowl ring to make it? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, BlueSky, or TikTok.