If you look at the 7-9 record, the Philadelphia Eagles 2016 roster seems like a forgettable bridge between the Chip Kelly era and the magic of Super Bowl LII.
But that's wrong. Totally wrong.
Honestly, 2016 was the year the foundation was poured. It was the season Howie Roseman returned from his "exile" to the equipment room, Doug Pederson took the reins, and a kid from North Dakota State changed everything. You've got to look at the names on that list—some are legends, some are "what ifs," and some were just there to fill a jersey for sixteen weeks.
The QB Shocker and the Rookie Savior
Everyone remembers the Sam Bradford trade. It was basically the heist of the century. Just eight days before the season started, the Vikings lost Teddy Bridgewater to a horrific knee injury. Roseman didn't blink. He shipped Bradford to Minnesota for a first-round pick and a fourth-rounder.
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Suddenly, Carson Wentz wasn't the "project" sitting behind a veteran. He was the guy.
Wentz's rookie stats were decent but not mind-blowing: 3,782 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. But it was the way he played. He was throwing blocks. He was ducking under defenders. He looked like a superstar in the making. Behind him, Chase Daniel was the high-priced insurance policy who basically never played, and a young Trey Burton was already showing he could do a little bit of everything.
Who Was Actually Catching the Ball?
This is where things got kinda shaky. The wide receiver room on the Philadelphia Eagles 2016 roster was, to put it politely, a struggle.
Jordan Matthews was the primary target, hauling in 73 catches for 804 yards. He was reliable in the slot but lacked that "take the top off" speed. Then you had Nelson Agholor, who was deep in the "yips" phase of his career, finishing with only 365 yards despite playing in 15 games.
The real bright spot? The tight ends.
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Zach Ertz was officially becoming "the guy," leading the team with 816 receiving yards. Brent Celek was still there, mostly as the veteran soul of the team and a dominant blocker, but Ertz was the future. And don't forget the trade for Dorial Green-Beckham—a massive human being who had all the talent in the world but just couldn't put it together in Philly.
A Defensive Rebirth Under Jim Schwartz
While the offense was figuring itself out, the defense was getting a massive makeover. Jim Schwartz brought his "Wide 9" front to town, and it suited the personnel perfectly.
Fletcher Cox was entering his prime, anchoring the middle with 6.5 sacks. Beside him, Bennie Logan was a mountain against the run. But the real story was the ends. Brandon Graham was finally playing in a 4-3 system that let him just hunt the quarterback. He only had 5.5 sacks that year, but his "pressures" were off the charts. It was the year he proved he wasn't a bust.
The secondary saw a huge upgrade with the signing of Rodney McLeod from the Rams. He and Malcolm Jenkins formed arguably the best safety duo in the league. They were smart, physical, and basically the coaches on the field.
At linebacker, Jordan Hicks was a ball hawk. He led the team with 5 interceptions. Think about that—a middle linebacker leading the team in picks. Nigel Bradham, a Schwartz favorite from Buffalo, brought a nastiness to the unit that had been missing for years.
The Trenches: Where the Magic Happened
You can't talk about this roster without the offensive line. This was the year Jason Kelce almost got traded—can you imagine?—but he stayed and began his ascent to legendary status.
- Jason Peters: The Bodyguard was 34 but still playing at a Pro Bowl level.
- Lane Johnson: He missed 10 games due to a suspension, and the team fell apart without him. They were 2-8 during his absence and 5-1 when he played.
- Brandon Brooks: A massive free-agent signing who solidified the right guard spot for years.
- Allen Barbre and Stefen Wisniewski: Rotated at left guard, providing that veteran grit.
The "Special" Guys
Special teams were elite. Period.
Darren Sproles was still a nightmare for punters, and he was a Pro Bowler as a returner and all-purpose back. Caleb Sturgis was solid at kicker, and Donnie Jones (Longshot!) was pinning teams deep with surgical precision. Also, Jon Dorenbos was doing magic tricks and snapping balls perfectly until a wrist injury ended his season late.
Why This Team Only Won 7 Games
So, if the roster had all these pieces, why did they finish 7-9?
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Depth. Or lack of it.
When Lane Johnson went down, the right tackle spot became a revolving door of rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai and veterans out of position. The cornerbacks—Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll—were serviceable but got burned by elite speed. Plus, the schedule was brutal.
They started 3-0, including a 34-3 demolition of the Steelers that made everyone think Wentz was the second coming of Peyton Manning. Then, reality hit. Close losses to the Giants, Cowboys, and Ravens showed a young team that didn't know how to finish yet.
But the 2016 season wasn't a failure. It was a dress rehearsal.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're looking back at the Philadelphia Eagles 2016 roster, don't just look at the record. Look at the 2017 Super Bowl starters who were already in the building.
To really understand the "Eagles Way," you should:
- Watch the Week 3 win against Pittsburgh (2016): It shows the peak potential of that specific roster.
- Compare the roster to 2017: See how small tweaks—adding Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, and LeGarrette Blount—turned a 7-9 team into a champion.
- Appreciate the drafting of Jalen Mills: A 7th-round pick in 2016 who became a "Green Goblin" starter on a championship defense.
The 2016 team proved that a franchise QB and a dominant defensive line are the two most important ingredients in football. Everything else is just seasoning.