ONE
In 1931, the Frankford Yellow Jackets were in trouble. The franchise had been part of the NFL since 1924 - winning the championship in 1926 - but bankruptcy hit and the team was forced to cease all operations. Eventually, a syndicate led by Bert Bell and Lud Wray purchased the assets of the defunct Yellow Jackets - providing a new name and logo. As such, the Philadelphia Eagles were born and would join the NFL for the 1933 season.
Philadelphia Eagles Logo
TWO
The Eagles' fortunes began to change in the late 1940s under head coach Earle "Greasy" Neale. They reached their first playoff game in 1947 and won back-to-back NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949. The team’s success continued into the 1950s - highlighted by victory in the 1960 NFL Championship under head coach Buck Shaw and quarterback Norm Van Brocklin. Unfortunately for Eagles fans, the team wouldn’t see the postseason again for another 18 years.
THREE
In 1976, Dick Vermeil took over as head coach and revitalised the franchise. Under Vermeil, the Eagles made four consecutive playoff appearances from 1978 to 1981 - including a trip to Super Bowl XV in 1980, where they lost to the Oakland Raiders. In 1986, Buddy Ryan was hired as head coach and built a fierce defense known as the "Gang Green" defense, featuring stars like Reggie White and Jerome Brown. However, playoff success eluded them.
Reggie White, Defensive End, 1985-1992
FOUR
Quarterback Randall Cunningham and legendary defensive end Reggie White headlined almost every Eagles team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite their individual greatness, however, Philadelphia won just two playoff games between their appearance in Super Bowl XV and the 2000 season. In 1994, Jeffery Lurie purchased the Eagles for $185 million - marking the third ownership changed since 1949. Andy Reid was then hired as head coach in 1999, the same year Philadelphia drafted quarterback Donovan McNabb - who was infamously booed by fans after his selection was announced. Although the quarterback’s relationship with Eagles fans was strained to begin with, McNabb and Reid soon made Philadelphia one of the most dominant teams in the NFL.
Donovan McNabb, Quarterback, 1999-2009
FIVE
Andy Reid was an instant success in Philadelphia and became the winningest coach in franchise history. Reid's tenure included numerous playoff appearances, five NFC Championship Game appearances, and a Super Bowl appearance in the 2004 season, where they lost to the New England Patriots. During Reid’s stint in Philly, players like McNabb, wide receiver Terrell Owens, and safety Brian Dawkins became legends for the Eagles franchise. However the illustrious Lombardi Trophy still avoided them. Owens only played in Philadelphia for two seasons and left in 2006, Dawkins followed in 2009, and in 2010 - after breaking all major franchise passing records - McNabb was traded to Washington.
Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver, 2004-2005
SIX
McNabb’s replacement, Kevin Kolb, was injured in the first game of the 2010 season, so in stepped Michael Vick at quarterback. Vick, who had joined the Eagles the previous year after serving time in prison, helmed Philadelphia’s explosive offense en route to Comeback Player of the Year honors and a postseason appearance. However, the team lost in the Wild Card Round to the Green Bay Packers. The 2011 Eagles were dubbed the ‘Dream Team’ after loading up on high-end talent, but after an 8-8 finish, and a 4-12 record the following season, Andy Reid was fired.
SEVEN
In 2016, Doug Pederson was hired as head coach. Pederson didn't take long to identify the quarterback he wanted under center. As a result, the Eagles traded a series of draft picks in order to possess the second overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft - with which Philadelphia selected quarterback Carson Wentz. Pederson’s leadership, along with the emergence of Wentz, led to a successful 2017 season. Philadelphia lost just three games all season, but it came at a cost. Wentz, who was playing at an MVP level, suffered a serious knee injury late in the season. Nick Foles, who had returned earlier that year as a backup, was therefore tasked with stepping into the starting lineup. Despite being almost completely written off, Foles and the Eagles powered past the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings to reach Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots. The Eagles won the game 41-33 and claimed their first Lombardi Trophy, as Foles was named Super Bowl MVP.
Super Bowl LII - Nick Foles, Quarterback, 2012-2014, 2017-2018
EIGHT
Despite leading the Eagles to Super Bowl glory, Pederson was fired after a disappointing 2020 season. His replacement, Nick Sirianni, didn’t take long to transform Philadelphia back into championship contenders. The 2022 Eagles, led by dynamic quarterback Jalen Hurts, won a franchise-record 14 games after dominating opponents all year. Philadelphia made light work of the NFC Playoffs and reached Super Bowl LVII - where, despite Hurts’ incredible individual game, they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs and former Eagles coach Andy Reid. Hurts’ phenomenal year was rewarded with a mammoth, $255 million contract extension in the 2023 offseason.
Jalen Hurts, Quarterback, 2020-Present
NINE
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles picked up where they left off in 2023, starting the season 10-1. However, Philadelphia could only manage two more wins to close out the regular season - heading to the playoffs with a Wild Card Round against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Once again, however, the Eagles failed to perform in the postseason and crashed out of the playoffs. During this offseason, legendary center Jason Kelce retired - leaving a huge void in an otherwise very talented roster - thanks to the addition of elite running back Saquon Barkley in free agency.
Jason Kelce, Center, 2011-2023
BEFORE YOU GO
The Eagles rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys is incredibly fierce and often considered one of the most intense in the NFL.
Veterans Stadium, commonly known as "The Vet," was the Eagles' home from 1971 to 2002. It was infamous for its harsh conditions and an in-stadium jail to deal with unruly fans.
According to Forbes, the Philadelphia Eagles are valued at $5.8 billion as of 2023.
