unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

When Jalen Carter is at his game-wrecking best, he’s as unstoppable a force as there is in the NFL. Such was the case during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run two years ago. But since then, between injuries and uneven play, the defensive tackle’s contributions have been inconsistent. On the heels of general manager Howie Roseman signing Carter to a historic contract, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane looks at the costs of the extension - both in terms of dollars and cents, as well as roster construction. Plus, Jeff advances storylines for the Nov. 10th NFL trade deadline, and, in his weekly mailbag, addresses some reporting about the Eagles’ salary cap situation.

00:00 Carter finally faces the media

01:17 The impact of expectations

06:06 Some concerning numbers

08:02 Does Carter owe the media, fans an explanation?

11:37 Trade deadline preview

16:12 How Howie Roseman's moves could affect Nick Sirianni's future

16:42 Mailbag: Will there be a salary cap “doomsday?”

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

We want mailbag questions! Hit Jeff up on his socials, or drop a question in the comments. Jeff could answer it in a future episode!

How were we so wrong? Heading into the season, the Eagles’ defense was supposed to be their strength. After Monday’s throttling by the Cowboys, the group reached a new low, especially on the defensive line, where major offseason investments and commitments were made. Why has a unit that showed promise in training camp failed to live up to expectations? And how will the Eagles’ five-game losing streak influence the organization’s approach to the NFL’s impending trade deadline? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and David Murphy tackle these topics and more the day after the Eagles’ 38-21 defeat to Dallas.

00:00 Eagles’ defense falls apart: what’s wrong with Vic Fangio’s group?

03:25 Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and questions about Howie Roseman’s roster-building

11:33 Problems at EDGE

23:18 Should the Eagles be sellers at the trade deadline?

31:29 Is Sean Mannion finally figuring out the Eagles’ offense?

36:29 Nick Sirianni’s future, and what lies ahead for the Eagles

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

The Eagles seem reluctant to address their handling of the Jalen Hurts blood clots saga, but the story isn't going anywhere. Throughout the week, in the absence of public remarks from general manager Howie Roseman or team doctors, head coach Nick Sirianni was peppered by reporters. He’s offered few details in return. After speaking with high-ranking medical officials currently or previously employed by NFL teams, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane frames four central questions about the Hurts situation that remain unanswered, while also looking at what this development means for Hurts’ future in Philadelphia.

00:00 A week after Jalen Hurts’ diagnosis, reactions roll in from around the league

06:27 Four crucial issues, according to NFL medical officials past and present

14:30 How the Eagles addressing medical issues has changed since Andy Reid era

18:19 What is Jalen Hurts’ future with the Eagles?

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

Even with all the injuries and ineffectiveness through six games, Sean Mannion is still a believer in the Eagles’ offense, saying the problems are “totally fixable.” The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Marcus Hayes have some thoughts on the state of Mannion’s group, as well as a defensive unit that’s also been underwhelming this season.

00:00 Can Sean Mannion’s offense really be fixed?

12:22 Evaluating Tanner McKee’s first start of the season

18:41 Why has the defense been so mediocre?

22:59 Has anyone heard from Jalen Carter?

29:49 Would keeping Jeff Stoutland have made a difference?

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

The news keeps getting worse. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will likely miss the rest of the 2026 season with a deep vein thrombosis blood clot, as well as bilateral pulmonary emboli. Moments after the story broke, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Marcus Hayes reacted to the news, looking at what the diagnosis means for the Super Bowl MVP, how the Eagles handled the situation dating back to their trip to London, and whether back-up Tanner McKee is ready to take the helm on a full-time basis.

00:00 Instant reaction to Jalen Hurts update

04:16 Eagles’ handling of Hurts diagnosis in hindsight

09:06 General manager Howie Roseman’s roster building

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

The Eagles are back from London, looking to leave the disappointment of a last-second defeat behind while choosing instead to focus on lessons they can learn from a third straight loss. Outcome aside, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane actually thinks there were encouraging takeaways from the game. He and Mike Sielski discuss why the Eagles’ sky, despite being ominous, isn’t falling just yet, and what the team can build on if it hopes to reverse its fortunes during a key stretch of the schedule that begins Sunday.

00:00 State of the Eagles amidst three-game losing streak

06:06 Jalen Carter resurgence sparks hope for defense

08:04 Modest gains on offense

13:28 Where Jalen Hurts has to get better

16:35 Revisiting the end of the Jaguars’ game: Nick Sirianni clock management, other key decisions

32:15 How can this offense improve schematically under Sean Mannion?

38:04 Reasons to be optimistic moving forward

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

We want mailbag questions! Hit Jeff up on his socials, or drop a question in the comments. Jeff could answer it in a future episode!

For over two decades, one of the guiding personnel principles of the Philadelphia Eagles organization has been to prioritize the offensive line. Through four games, and this past week in particular, the group has undergone dramatic turnover. Hall of Fame-caliber tackle Lane Johnson retired. Cam Jurgens was shipped to Baltimore in a trade. Their respective replacements have potential, but, compared to how general manager Howie Roseman has stockpiled talent on the line in the past, the options now seem less optimal. Did Roseman and the Eagles stray from a long-held philosophy? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane retraces key decisions that brought the team to this point.

00:00 The series of decisions that impacted the state of the Eagles offensive line

19:44 Week 5 mailbag! Will Jalen Hurts ever find his “home” in an offense?

Links referenced in this episode:

unCovering the Birds - F*ck this game

https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-podcast-episode-2-lane-johnson-jeff-mclane-20230331.html

Why Lane Johnson called it a career

https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/lane-johnson-retirement-2026-next-for-offensive-line-20261007.html

Lane Johnson’s mastery on film

https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-lane-johnson-film-pff-stats-jeff-stoutland-20221012.html

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

Different year, different offensive coordinator, yet still, it feels like Déjà vu all over again. The Eagles had little margin for error Sunday vs. the Rams because of injuries. They played hard despite being shorthanded, but in the end, couldn’t put the Rams away, mainly because of poor execution on offense. Why hasn’t Sean Mannion's scheme clicked? How culpable are head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts in the offensive rut the Eagles find themselves in? The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane and Dave Murphy analyze the fallout from the 24-20 loss to LA.

00:00 A four-game assessment of Sean Mannion’s scheme

08:23 Jalen Hurts’ role in the Eagles’ offensive struggles

15:45 The offensive line, no longer a strength

24:53 Why so few under center plays?

28:58 The repercussions of recent Howie Roseman personnel decisions

34:02 How can the Eagles salvage this start?

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

Just a few months ago, when Eagles training camp got underway, the defense drew rave reviews. The prevailing sentiment was that the unit was poised to dominate this year. So far through three games, Vic Fangio’s group has done anything but. From the lack of forced turnovers to missed coverage assignments, the Eagles have plenty of room for improvement. Can Fangio work his magic to get the defense on track in time for this week’s showdown with the high-powered LA Rams? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane puts the defense under the microscope, and also answers listener questions in this week’s mailbag!

00:00 How a busted defensive play vs. Chicago signals a bigger issue

10:06 Is Jalen Carter catching too much criticism?

11:42 Could there be a change coming at back-up quarterback?

15:45 Week 4 mailbag! Pre-snap motion and three glaring flaws

unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

It was a blowout, and it left a lot of questions. The Eagles’ 27-7 loss to the Bears Monday night at Soldier Field featured an offense that fizzled, a defense that folded, and a coaching staff that looked outmatched. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Jeff Neiburg provide a postmortem of the defense’s disappointing start to the season, critique of offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s approach, and assessment of how some of general manager Howie Roseman’s moves have panned out so far.

00:00 The defense has been a major disappointment

16:12 Sean Mannion's offense has yet to impress

34:17 Scrutinizing Howie Roseman's roster construction

unCovering the Birds is a co-production of KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts and The Philadelphia Inquirer, hosted by award-winning Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane. Look for new episodes throughout the season.

We're always looking for mailbag questions! Hit Jeff up on his socials, or drop a question in the comments. Jeff could answer it in a future episode!