It has been a great ride the last two years. Carson Wentz exploded onto the scene last year and became an MVP front runner before going down with an injury. Then Nick Foles won over the hearts of Philadelphia by delivering the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

As defending champs, they had an up and down, frustrating many fans, but battled from a 4-6 season to make the playoffs. The magic struck again in the wildcard round when the Bears doinked the game-winning field goal off the upright and crossbar. But the magic ran out when a routine slant pass went through the hands of usually sure-handed Alshon Jeffery.

While the last two seasons brought great joy, this offseason will bring lots of change. That includes getting rid of many fan favorites. It is going to be a tough offseason that will bring much change, but it is part of the business of the NFL.

Let’s first take a look at the offense. Nick Foles will be gone. Jason Peters most likely will be gone or retire. Jason Kelce has pondered retirement, but all indications appear he will be back. So keep an eye on Kelce. Golden Tate and Nelson Agholor are free agents. Darren Sproles may retire. The offense will see plenty of familiar leave. They will be replaced by new faces.

On defense, they face the same situation. Lots of fan favorites will leave. Brandon Graham is a free agent and could demand a contract the Eagles may not be able to afford. Chris Long floated retirement last year, and it seems like he will retire this year. Haloti Ngata is a free agent. Jordan Hicks is a free agent. Ronald Darby is a free agent.

Along with all the free agents and potential retirements, they may have to cut some high priced salary to get under the 191 million dollar projected salary cap.
No matter what way you shake it, the Eagles teams we have grown to love over the past two years are done. Come 2019, there will be a new Eagles team. Younger, faster, but just as determined.

But just because many players will be leaving, does not mean next year will be a down year. Carson Wentz is going to be back after a healthy offseason. Most of his supporting cast will back. Players like Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Corey Clement. On defense Malcolm Jenkins, Nigel Bradham, Fletcher Cox, and Derek Barnett. The secondary is young and got better as the season went on. And lastly, they have ten draft picks in the upcoming draft, including four in the first three rounds.

The Eagles, like every team,will lose talent this offseason, but they will also add talent. As long as Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson are around, the Eagles will be contenders in the NFC.