Should the Philadelphia Eagles actually tank? It’s a fair question given how this season has gone, and I understand why fans are floating it. But before anybody hits the panic button on the 2026 season, the Eagles still have one saving grace. Their division is a joke right now, and Philly still has a real shot to win it. Underneath all the tank talk, the bigger issue is the one nobody in the building seems ready to fix: Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.

Why the Eagles shouldn’t tank yet

Look, I get the argument on the other side. Who cares if you sneak into the playoffs and get bounced anyway? Why not chase a higher draft pick and set yourself up for the long haul?

Here’s the thing. Philadelphia plays the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants in three of the next four games. That’s the most winnable stretch you could ask for. If the Eagles go through that run and can’t beat those teams, then fine. I’m all on board for the tank. But you don’t throw in the towel before you play the softest part of your schedule in a division this bad.

The play-caller pattern Eagles fans can’t ignore

Now let’s talk about what’s really going on with this team, because history tells you a lot. The Eagles made the Super Bowl in 2022 with Shane Steichen calling plays. They made it again in 2024 with Kellen Moore. In 2023, they went one and done with Brian Johnson. Last season, they went one and done with Kevin Patullo. And right now, it feels like they could be headed for another one-and-done with Sean Mannion.

Do you notice a difference there? What’s the clear differentiator?

It’s not complicated. In one group, you have experienced play-callers who can push through early-season struggles and know exactly what they’re doing. In the other group, you have first-time play callers who need guidance. That’s fine on its own, because everybody has to start somewhere. The problem is their head coach isn’t elevating them. When those guys need to turn to somebody, they don’t have anybody. Or maybe Sirianni has his fingerprints on the offense too much. Who knows. Either way, it isn’t working.

Philly made the call to go with a first-time play-caller because it didn’t want a lot of turnover at the offensive coordinator spot. I understand the logic behind that. Continuity matters. But the main problem still stands. The head coach can’t add anything on top of that. Don’t we see that by now?

Credit where it’s due, but the writing is on the wall

Let me be clear about one thing. I’m grateful for what Sirianni has done for this team, and I mean that. He deserves credit for helping pull the Eagles out of the dirt after 2023 and rallying that locker room back together. That counts for something, and it played a real part in getting us back to the big stage.

But from a schematic, Xs and Os standpoint? Sirianni is not adding to this team. He’s not the guy who rescues a struggling young coordinator mid-season. He’s not the guy who fixes the offense when it stalls. Four seasons of evidence say the offense lives and dies with whoever’s calling plays, and the head coach doesn’t move the needle either way.

So when the question comes up about whether the Eagles should tank, my answer is no. I’d rather see this group, which I still believe has a good amount of talent, with a new head coach.

Now, maybe they’re too far gone. Maybe this season has too many injuries, too many problems, and too many mechanical issues that simply can’t be fixed. I get it. And I know Philadelphia has plenty of assets lined up in 2027 and 2028 if it does decide to blow things up.

But before the front office goes full demolition mode, I want to see this team get a chance to compete. The talent on this roster is superb. The problem isn’t the players. I just don’t think this head coach is going to get it out of them.