This fan base, like many, was dying for a Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles slayed Tom Brady and the Patriots in 2017, then Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in 2024.

Yet, grace periods last about as long as the taste from a stick of Juicy Fruit gum ‘round here.

You didn’t need to turn the volume up on your television to hear boo birds last season. Lest we forget, these Eagles did win the NFC East, too.

Here at Go Long, we continue to explore this fascinating team with an old friend from my Syracuse days: Zach Berman. Always love touching base with “ZB,” a man who’s incredibly prolific on the beat. You can read his columns, features and analysis at The Athletic. He also wrote a book, “Leap Year,” that’d make for an excellent Father’s Day gift.

On this Go Long Pod episode, we touch on everything…

* Who’s to blame for the problems on offense last season — quarterback Jalen Hurts or offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo?

* Was Hurts going rogue in 2025? (If so, perhaps he had a reason.)

* What can we expect to see from the team’s new OC, Sean Mannion?

* Zach calls Lane Johnson the greatest player he’s ever covered, and explains why.

* Saquon Barkley rushed for 2K just two seasons ago. Running backs also tend to slip off cliffs. Jeff Stoutland, a legend of an O-Line coach, is also gone. How many peak seasons does the team’s engine have left?

* This 2026 defense could be even better than the 2024 crew.

* There is some brain drain on the defensive staff. Christian Parker, who we profiled during Super Bowl Week, headed to the Dallas Cowboys.

* And, oh yeah. A.J. Brown is gone. He’s also one of the best wide receivers in the sport. Philly’s best-case scenario? DeVonta Smith enjoys his own JSN-like ascent. (ZB also wrote a piece on Smith becoming a Girl Dad worth your time.)

Full video and audio is above. Many Go Long Podcast episodes are also available on our Apple, Spotify and YouTube channels. Subscribers can always access “Real Football” with co-host Jim Monos.

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Miss our two features on Eagles players this week? I hung out with Drew Mukuba at a diner near The Linc and also reprised a feature on Jonathan Greenard. Both will play massive roles on this year’s team.

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