Philadelphia awaits Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII: how the Eagles were built

Early in the season, it was hard to get a good read on the Philadelphia Eagles. Even after a full year at quarterback, former second-round draft pick Jalen Hurts hadn’t necessarily locked down the job.

His performance this season put any lingering doubts to rest.

The addition of wide receiver A.J. Brown via trade helped create one of the most explosive offenses in the NFC. Hurts completed 5% more of his passes than he did in 2021 and didn’t fumble once. His plethora of weapons on the outside made opponents think twice about stacking the box against the run.

In games with Hurts as their starting quarterback, the Eagles were 16-1 this season, including the playoffs.

The Eagles’ defense also had an outstanding year. They ranked first in the NFL with 69 sacks and were fourth in interceptions.

Some who observed Philadelphia’s road to the Super Bowl might say the Eagles haven’t beaten — or even played — a great team this year. Their best wins were probably beating the Minnesota Vikings at home in Week 2 and two victories over the New York Giants.

Eleven of their 17 regular-season games were against teams that did not make the playoffs last year. And their NFC Championship Game win over the 49ers came against a team that was forced to turn to a journeyman QB.

Regardless of how they got here, the Eagles now sit one win from their second Super Bowl title in a decade.

Eagles players by year acquired

2010

DE Brandon Graham (D-1): The longest tenured Eagles player played in all 17 games in the regular season. His 11 sacks were a career-high in his 13th season.

2011

C Jason Kelce (D-6): The six-time Pro Bowler and brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce played in 98% of the team’s offensive snaps at center this year.

2012

DT Fletcher Cox (D-1): Cox and Graham were key members of the 2017 Super Bowl-winning defense. This year, Cox had seven sacks on the defensive line.

2013

T Lane Johnson (D-1): The four-time Pro Bowler made 15 starts at right tackle this season.

2016

G Isaac Seumalo (D-3): Seumalo started 17 games at right guard for an offense that had success in both the rush and pass game all season.

LS Rick Lovato (FA): Has served as the Eagles’ long-snapper for six years.

2017

K Jake Elliott (PS-Cin): Elliott connected on 20 of 23 kicks in the regular season and is perfect so far in the playoffs. He missed two extra points in 53 attempts and has been a reliable kicker for the past six years.

2018

TE Dallas Goedert (D-2): The San Diego State standout jumped into the starting role when Zach Ertz was traded to the Arizona Cardinals. He had 702 yards and three touchdowns this year.

CB Avonte Maddox (D-4): Recorded his first career fumble recovery this season as a strong cornerback.

T Jordan Mailata (D-7): Started 16 games at left tackle in fifth season with the Eagles.

DE Josh Sweat (D-4): Sweat had 11 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in 2022. He has been the Eagles’ sack leader since 2019.

RB Boston Scott (PS-NO): Scott recorded three of his four touchdowns this season against the Giants. He’s used with Kenneth Gainwell and Miles Sanders in the Philly backfield.

2019

T Andre Dillard (D-1): The Washington State product appeared in 12 games but saw little action.

LB T.J. Edwards (UDFA): Sacked Trevor Lawrence and had six tackles in an eight-point win vs. the Jaguars. Had 99 tackles in the regular season and seven in two playoff games.

S Marcus Epps (W-Min): His forced fumble against the Colts helped preserve a one-point win.

RB Miles Sanders (D-2): Notched a career-high 1,269 rushing yards.and 11 regular-season TDs as Eagles’ lead back. Voted to first Pro Bowl.

2020

CB Darius Slay (T-DET): Starting cornerback who recorded three interceptions in his second full season with the Eagles. Had five passes defended in a statement win over the Vikings in Week 2.

DT Javon Hargrave (FA-Pit): Started all 17 games and had 11 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He has one playoff sack this year.

T/G Jack Drisgoll (D-4): Versatile offensive lineman but rarely used.

QB Jalen Hurts (D-2): After a solid first full year as the Eagles’ starting quarterback, Hurts made a leap to become one of the league’s best. He recorded 35 total TDs (22 passing, 13 rushing). His 13 rushing TDs are an Eagles single-season record. Was voted second-team All-Pro.

S K’Von Wallace (D-4): Clemson product mired behind Darius Slay and others on the depth chart.

WR Quez Watkins (D-6): Receiver on the field for about half the team’s offensive snaps. Tallied three TDs and 354 yards.

2021

Head coach Nick Sirianni: hired in January 2021.

QB Gardner Minshew (T-Jax): Replaced the injured Hurts late in the season and went 0-2 as the starter.

CB Josiah Scott (T-Jax): The Michigan State product recorded his first two NFL interceptions this season (vs. Andy Dalton and Aaron Rodgers).

G Landon Dickerson (D-2): Out of Alabama, he started 17 games at left guard.

CB Zach McPhearson (D-4): Stopped a fake field-goal attempt in a regular-season win against the Giants

RB Kenneth Gainwell (D-5): A playoff standout, he rushed for 48 yards on 14 carries in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers. Also recorded 112 rushing yards on 12 carries in the Divisional Round.

LB Patrick Johnson (D-7): Tulane linebacker who saw little action in 2022.

WR Devonta Smith (D-1): The former Heisman winner paired well with A.J. Brown, racking up 1,1196 receiving yards and 7 TDs.

TE Jack Stoll (UDFA): Grabbed three balls for 41 yards in a 35-10 win over Tennessee Titans.

DT Milton Williams (D-3): Notched four sacks as a backup defensive lineman.

LB Christian Elliss (FA): Appeared in six games.

2022

S Reed Blankenship (UDFA): Started four games and recorded a forced fumble and fumble recovery in the NFC Championship Game.

QB Ian Book (W via NO): Drafted by Saints, Book joined Eagles on waivers and now serves as the team’s No. 3 quarterback.

CB James Bradberry (FA): Selected to the 2022 Pro Bowl after recording three interceptions.

WR A.J. Brown (T-Tenn): No. 1 WR for team that’s deep at the position. Had career highs in receptions and yards; named to second Pro Bowl.

TE Grant Calcaterra (D-6): Five catches for 81 yards as a backup.

WR Britain Covey (UDFA): Primarily used as returner on special teams.

DT Jordan Davis (D-1): Georgia standout played on 20% of Philly’s defensive snaps. Selected to the PFWA All-Rookie team.

LB Nakobe Dean (D-3): Another Georgia product, Dean was a backup linebacker in his rookie year.

CB Josh Jobe (UDFA): One of three undrafted rookies to earn a roster spot.

LB Kyron Johnson (D-6): Backup linebacker who didn’t see much action.

C/G Cam Jurgens (D-2): Nebraska product was a backup on the offensive line who played in just 3% of his team’s offensive snaps.

G Josh Sills (UDFA): Was not relied upon much this season after standing out at Oklahoma State.

P Brett Kern (FA): A 15-year veteran who took over for injured starter Arryn Siposs.

DT Linval Joseph (FA-LAC): Had a fumble recovery in the NFC Championship Game after playing eight games with the Eagles.

DT Ndamukong Suh (FA-TB): The 36-year-old had one sack with the Eagles in a backup role.

DE Robert Quinn (T-CHI): After being traded from the Bears around midseason, Quinn has two QB hits in eight games.

LB Haason Reddick (FA-Car): A career-high 16 sacks earned him his first Pro Bowl nod this year. Also had 49 tackles and 26 QB hits.

WR Zach Pascal (FA-Ind): Former Colt had 15 catches and one TD.

LB Kyzir White (FA-LAC): Made 110 total tackles this season.

S C.J. Gardner Johnson (T-NO): Intercepted Cowboys QB Cooper Rush twice in early-season win. Had INTs in 4 straight games this season.

RB Trey Sermon (W-San): Appeared in two games for the Eagles