Top reasons to be most excited about the 2020 Eagles

Look, I know I’ve been accused of being way too optimistic about the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. But I just couldn’t help myself from keeping the positivity train going! That’s why the latest BGN Radio podcast featuring Jimmy Kempski and me focuses on the top reasons to be excited about the Eagles’ 2020 season. You can [CLICK HERE] to listen or use the embedded player below:

Jimmy and I each gave five different reasons in the podcast but I’ll share three of mine here as well for you non-podcast listeners.

1 - Finally, speed at wide receiver!

The Eagles had one of the NFL’s slowest offenses in 2018 and 2019. Scoring touchdowns rarely came easy as the team had to rely on methodically moving the ball down the field with a boring offense that lacked an explosive big play threat. The exception, of course, is when the Eagles had DeSean Jackson in Week 1 last year. The Eagles were able to erase a deficit in that matchup largely due to Jackson’s presence. Similarly, the Kansas City Chiefs were able to come back from being down in all of their playoff games due to their offensive firepower. This isn’t to say that the Eagles’ offense is suddenly as good as what KC’s got cooking but there’s clearly more speed in Philly now than before. The return of Jackson plus the addition of Jalen Reagor should serve as a big boon. Getting at least one of Marquise Goodwin, John Hightower, and/or Quez Watkins to pan out would also be great. The Eagles aren’t putting all their eggs in the Jackson basket like they did last year. The team should be faster on offense this year and that should greatly help Carson Wentz. And it’s not just about utilizing the new speed options; it’s also about how their ability to stretch the field will open up the middle of the field for guys like Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert.

2 - Fletcher Cox getting back to form

Cox wasn’t bad in 2019 but he wasn’t quite consistently as dominant as the Eagles needed him to be. Such was reflected by him posting the second lowest sack total of his career. In fairness, Cox missed the entire offseason as he recovered from a foot injury he suffered in January 2019. Now healthy, the Eagles need Cox to rebound in a big way. Merely being good isn’t good enough. Cox accounts for a $22.8 million cap number this season; the team is paying him to be an elite producer. While some could theorize Cox is past his prime as he turns 30 this year, the feeling here is that he can still be a legitimate force. Cox should benefit from the addition of Javon Hargrave and the return of Malik Jackson. Teams won’t be able to key in on him as often and he won’t have to play as many snaps as he’s logged during each of the past two years due to a myriad of defensive tackle injuries. Cox should be able to take over some games in 2020.

3 - Miles Sanders making the leap to stardom

Sanders showed star potential down the stretch in 2019. Now the second-year running back is aiming for an “MVP year.” While it’s difficult to expect him to be that good, we can reasonably count on Sanders being a very valuable offensive weapon. Sanders is no longer the indecisive rookie he looked like early on in 2019. He’s going to be a problem for defenses to stop as both a runner and a pass catcher. With opposing defenses having to account for the Eagles’ deep speed, Sanders should be facing some lighter boxes.

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You can listen to the podcast for the remaining seven reasons. Jimmy and I also touched on the Eagles’ failed alternative onside kick proposal, the latest on the LeSean McCoy/Devonta Freeman, and more.

What are your top reasons for excitement?

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