unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is a die-hard Eagles fan, and just like you, he’s got takes on the offseason, A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts, and stadium plans. By the nature of his day job, however, he’s also ecstatic that Pittsburgh will become the epicenter of the NFL universe in two weeks, when the Steel City hosts the draft. It marks the second time in 10 years the Commonwealth has welcomed the marquee event. Which positions does Shapiro think the Eagles should address? How about whether the team needs to move on from Brown? Shapiro discusses these topics and more, including owner Jeffrey Lurie’s recent remarks about Lincoln Financial Field’s future, with The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane. 00:00 Talking Birds with the Gov 02:14 How will a Philly guy be received in Pittsburgh during the NFL Draft? 06:30 What should Howie Roseman do when the Eagles are on the clock? 09:54 “I freaking love [A.J. Brown] wants the ball” 11:27 Jalen Hurts and the treatment he gets from fans 14:29 Special Eagles memories 19:06 Reaction to Jeffrey Lurie’s recent stadium remarks 22:12 Predictions for the Eagles’ 2026 season unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

The annual NFL owners meetings has become the only event of year the Philadelphia Eagles formally make owner Jeffrey Lurie available to meet with reporters. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane covered the event, and puts Lurie’s recent remarks - from new stadium speculation to Lurie’s commitment to quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver AJ Brown - under the microscope with columnist Marcus Hayes. 00:00 Truths (and lies?) from Jeffrey Lurie’s owners meeting press conference 02:00 Quick comments about the possibility of a new stadium 05:07 Is Nick Sirianni as safe as Lurie suggests? 12:22 How committed is Lurie to Jalen Hurts? 18:57 What Lurie’s remarks reveal about A.J. Brown’s future? 26:09 Jeff and Marcus react to ESPN’s report about Hurts 34:38 Relitigating Hurts’ impact in the locker room 44:20 Hurts’ fit in Sean Mannion’s offense unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has stuck to a steady, mostly predictable formula this offseason: add depth to appropriate places via pragmatic, sensible signings. Whether his strategy stays the same moving forward remains unclear. Just last week, Roseman dipped his toes into a growing NFL trade market, and with the draft weeks away, along with the flurry of transactions that typically comes with it, perhaps he’ll find opportunities to mix up his approach. This storyline is one of several The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane plans to follow during the league’s annual meeting at the end of the month. He and colleague Mike Sielski look ahead to the questions and issues Roseman, head coach Nick Sirianni, and owner Jeffrey Lurie might face in Phoenix, AZ. 00:00 What Howie Roseman’s offseason strategy signals about the offense’s timeline 10:37 Early thoughts on how the Eagles might approach the draft 13:55 Obligatory A.J. Brown update 24:32 Sydney Brown: from 3rd-round pick to trade asset 31:32 Why EDGE rusher and the pass rush have become the biggest defensive concerns of the offseason 38:36 Could Roseman have a trick up his sleeve? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

NFL free agency is underway, and the first week was kind of...just nuts and bolts for the Eagles. Howie Roseman made sensible, measured decisions, highlighted by a major investment in homegrown defensive talent and the smart, short-term signing of a proven corner back. Compared to past years, though, Howie SZN has been relatively chill. What does this initial strategy foreshadow for the rest of the offseason? Could the roster still undergo dramatic change before spring workouts begin? And how does the A.J. Brown situation affect the Eagles’ personnel approach? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane is joined by colleague Jeff Neiburg, as they evaluate Roseman’s moves and analyze their implications. 00:00 Reading tea leaves from the first week of free agency 02:07 Ripple effects from free agent departures, and the need for depth at EDGE 12:52 The Jihaad Campbell question mark and Riq Woolen signing 21:05 What’s going on with Dallas Goedert? 28:40 More on Davis and what his new contract means for Jalen Carter 39:07 The latest on A.J. Brown unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

A year ago, the Eagles’ roster seemed sound and solid. The franchise was coming off its second Super Bowl, buoyed by electric skill position players on offense and young, bruising talent on defense. Following a disappointing 2025 season, the personnel situation feels anything but stable. A.J. Brown might be on the trading block. Key contract decisions loom. Several positions could use an upgrade. In other words, the time is yours, Howie Roseman. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Sports Illustrated’s NFL senior writer Albert Breer offer an Eagles free agency forecast days before the craziness gets underway. 00:00 The most consequential free agency season of Howie Roseman’s career? 01:30 A national view of the Eagles heading into free agency 05:25 Jalen Phillips, Max Crosby, and the edge rusher market 16:59 Dallas Goedert’s value on the open market, and to the Eagles 21:51 Tough choices on Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship 25:15 A.J. Brown combine gossip; what are the Eagles asking? 35:28 To extend or not to extend; the Jalen Hurts question 41:25 In hindsight…Milton Williams vs. Jalen Carter unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

AJ Brown’s future, Sean Mannion’s hiring as offensive coordinator, Jeff Stoutland’s awkward exit, the Eagles’ strategy for free agency and the draft. These storylines have dominated the Eagles’ offseason. More than a month after the team’s unceremonious exit from the playoffs, its top two decision makers finally weighed in on these topics as well. Ahead of this week’s NFL combine, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner participated in a beat reporters-only interview session with general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni. Listen as they discuss their main takeaways. 00:00 Roseman and Sirianni speak! 01:13 Roseman and Sirianni address the AJ Brown situation 10:26 Sirianni indicates the offense will be different under new coordinator Sean Mannion 20:15 Sirianni gives his side of the Jeff Stoutland story 26:34 How coaching changes could affect Howie Roseman’s offseason personnel strategy unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

The offseason is about to blast into full swing and, unlike this time a year ago, the Eagles are surrounded by question marks. On the heels of the team’s failed bid for another Super Bowl, coaching changes ensued, which are expected to usher in a significant philosophical pivot on offense. But with next week’s scouting combine approaching, the Eagles, along with the rest of the NFL, will start to focus more on personnel decisions. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane has covered plenty of combines, and knows where and how to dig up juicy intel. He and Inquirer colleague David Murphy examine Eagles storylines that figure to be front and center when the league descends on Indianapolis. 00:00 Getting gossip at the NFL’s biggest power broker mixer of the year 02:36 Forecasting A.J. Brown’s future 13:34 Which Eagles free agents could stay, go 20:55 Contract extensions and their implications on the defensive line 29:45 Diving into Sean Mannion and his scheme 37:01 How much will the Eagles change the offense? 44:20 Closing the book on Jeff Stoutland’s exit, Chris Kuper’s hiring unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

The Eagles failed to make it back to the Super Bowl this year, but, as The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane can vouch for during his trip to the Bay Area, the team is still dominating conversations around the league. That’s because in the past week, the Eagles hired a new offensive coordinator, parted ways with a revered assistant, and, much to their relief, got word from their defensive guru that he’ll be returning for another season. Jeff checks in from San Francisco to talk with The Inquirer’s Olivia Reiner, as the two sift through what they’ve been hearing and what fans can expect now that the Eagles’ coaching staff is rounding into form. 00:00 Jeff Stoutland’s exit, and its “messy” handling 14:55 With Stout out, could Lane Johnson be next? 17:11 Why Vic Fangio came back 27:30 Jeff McLane talks with Klint Kubiak about pupil Sean Mannion 30:15 What Jeff and Olivia know about Mannion and his potential impact on the offense, Jalen Hurts 44:40 How the Eagles’ coaching moves reflect on Nick Sirianni unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason, including breaking news updates and reactions.

Banged up offensive line? Underperforming star skill players? A quarterback who failed to lift his team? The 2025 edition of the Philadelphia Eagles checked all those boxes on offense. Sure, you could make a scapegoat out of the first-time offensive coordinator, but placing the blame squarely at the feet of Kevin Patullo would misrepresent the extent of the Eagles’ problems. The Athletic’s Michael Silver recently wrote an article about the Eagles’ offensive woes, and, in a conversation with The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, framed these issues in the context of the franchise’s ongoing search for Patullo’s replacement. 00:00 Why is the Eagles' offensive coordinator search taking so long? 13:27 Factors that prompted Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll to pass on Eagles 19:00 The Jalen Hurts effect 28:45 The national media perspective on Hurts 32:37 Could Jeff Stoutland's responsibilities be changing? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason, including breaking news updates and reactions. And here’s a link to Mike Silver’s article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6976115/2026/01/16/eagles-offense-jalen-hurts-nick-sirianni-aj-brown/

There was a lot said during the Eagles’ end-of-season news conference, but nothing stood out more to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane than a comment general manager Howie Roseman made about his head coach, Nick Sirianni. What did Roseman say, and why was it so noteworthy? McLane and Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes read between the lines in this recap of Roseman and Sirianni’s Q&A with reporters. 00:00 What did Howie Roseman say? 17:43 Front office power dynamics between Roseman, Nick Sirianni, and Jeffrey Lurie 23:24 Kevin Patullo, Jalen Hurts, and the blame game 33:17 Will A.J. Brown be here next year? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason, including breaking news updates and reactions.

The Eagles might have been disappointed, but deep down, they likely weren’t surprised. The team that showed up in a 23-19 Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers was the version of the team the Eagles had been for most of the 2025 season. Good enough on defense, yet woefully ineffective on offense. Instead of rebooting repeat Super Bowl dreams, the Eagles’ matchup with the 49ers marked the fitting end to a frustrating season. From an inconsistent quarterback to an inexperienced playcaller who too often was overmatched, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Dave Murphy sort through the factors that contributed to the Eagles’ early playoff exit, and quickly shift their focus to potential changes looming in the offseason. 00:00 The Eagles were who they knew they were all along 02:17 Intel about Kevin Patullo’s future 09:23 Jalen Hurts’ shortcomings exposed 20:17 What should the Eagles do with A.J. Brown? 26:25 More on A.J. Brown and potential replacement options 34:01 Other stay / go considerations 37:34 Will Lane Johnson retire? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the offseason, including breaking news updates and reactions.

A common refrain from the NovaCare Complex during the Eagles’ up-and-down 2025 regular season has been that finding ways to win, regardless of style or circumstance, is the team’s greatest strength. Based on the group’s track record, especially the past two years, the claim would be hard to dismiss. The Eagles’ belief in themselves, however, will be put to the test this weekend, when the playoffs begin Sunday with a Wild Card matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles might not be entering the postseason looking like the world-beaters that romped in last year’s Super Bowl, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of pulling off another title run. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane shares his reasons for hope and doubt for the possibility of a repeat. 00:00 Which version of the Eagles will show up Sunday? 02:22 Top reason for hope: Uncle Vic 09:06 Could Jalen Hurts run more? 13:05 The Lane Johnson effect 18:17 The biggest reason for concern... 27:43 About Kevin Patullo, and his future unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

Should the Eagles have rested most of their starters in Sunday’s regular season finale? After they blew a chance to jump up to the two-seed in the NFC, the question was certainly fair and ripe for debate. But the truth is, there’s nothing the Eagles can do about it now. They lost to Washington, and are subsequently locked into a Wild Card round matchup with San Francisco, an opponent with which the Eagles are very familiar. How do the teams - at first glance - matchup? What did the regular season reveal about the type of football we can expect from the Eagles in the postseason? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Mike Sielski start to forecast this weekend’s showdown at Lincoln Financial Field. 00:00 Was the rest worth it? 03:54 Did the regular season finale reveal anything new about Kevin Patullo, Tanner McKee? 14:53 What should Tank Bigsby’s role be in the playoffs? 20:45 Sizing up the 49ers 31:21 Do the Eagles have enough for another Super Bowl run? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

With only one game to go in the regular season and the playoffs looming, there’s little reason to think the Eagles’ offense will or is capable of changing its stripes. The defense, on the other hand, continues to prove its dominance (as it did again in Buffalo), regardless of which players it has available, or the opponent it faces. This combination, while imperfect, has still positioned the Eagles for a top-three postseason seed. But will the formula be enough for the franchise to duplicate last winter’s Super Bowl run this year? The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner weigh in. 00:00 Acceptance; this is what the Eagles are 02:14 What the heck happened to the offense in the second half? 09:35 How should the Eagles approach their offense moving forward? 14:10 A defense capable of carrying a team 19:20 To rest or not; the tradeoffs unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

Are the Eagles really playing their best football of the season? That was their head coach’s claim following the team’s solid performance against Washington last weekend. But despite the Eagles outscoring the opposition by a combined 60-18 margin in back-to-back wins, trends are emerging with both promising and cautionary implications. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Jeff Neiburg highlight these developments, and address whether they agree with Nick Sirianni’s current assessment of the defending Super Bowl champs. 00:00 Nick Sirianni says the Eagles are playing their best football. Is he right? 10:20 Shades of 2024 - Saquon Barkley and the run game are looking great 18:40 Handing out three defensive stars 27:17 Should the Eagles start looking for another kicker? unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

Nakobe Dean’s value to the Eagles is as clear as the team’s improved defense performance since his return to play. Coming off his best game of the season in last week’s shutout win over the Raiders, the linebacker has made a remarkable turnaround from a serious knee injury that knocked him out of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX championship run. But what's Dean's future in Philadelphia beyond this season? The 25-year old is an unrestricted free agent, and for the first time in what feels like forever, the Eagles have depth in the linebacker rotation. With only three games left before the playoffs, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane looks at the likelihood of the Eagles keeping Dean, as well as several other players whose contracts expire whenever this season ends. 00:00 Can the Eagles keep Nakobe Dean? Should they? 14:30 Tiering other key unrestricted free agents on the roster, like Dallas Goedert, Jaelan Phillips, and Reed Blankenship. unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

For a game, at least, the Eagles looked like world-beaters, not the hardest thing to do these days when facing the lowly Las Vegas Raiders. The real question, however, isn’t if the 31-0 shutout win is going to be a cure all for the issues that ailed the Eagles during their three-game losing streak; it’s whether the progress the team showed Sunday can ultimately translate to the postseason, which arrives next month. Possible? Perhaps, but with two of their final three games coming against a weakened opponent, the Eagles might not know exactly what they’re capable of until the playoffs get here. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Marcus Hayes scrutinize changes that surfaced in the Eagles’ victory over Vegas, starting with the performance of none other than quarterback Jalen Hurts. 00:00 The Eagles did what they were supposed to do 01:23 Assessing schematic changes and their impact on Jalen Hurts 10:45 Getting the run game going 20:14 Can this defense get the Eagles back to the Super Bowl? 25:49 The truth about “outside noise” and human nature unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

While cute and novel, the Positivity Bunny proved nothing short of an unceremonious bust. As soon as they could following a brutal overtime loss to the Chargers, the Eagles gave the preposterous 10-foot locker room inflatable the boot. It was not the good-luck charm they hoped for, and served as a reminder that, instead of wishing its woes away, this team will actually have to put in real work to turn the season around. With a potential soft spot in the schedule emerging this Sunday vs. the Raiders, there might not be any better time than the present for the Eagles to breathe some life back into themselves. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane touches base with a few trusted veterans, who share their perspective on the state of the club and the direction they think it’s headed. 00:00 The swift arrival and demise of the Eagles’ “Positivity Bunny” 03:48 What’s with the “awful” sideline vibes? 07:20 Different strokes for different folks 10:18 Jordan Davis and the importance of an optimistic mindset unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

The blame game on offense this season has been a constant back and forth. One week it’s the coordinator. The next, it’s the head coach and his scheme. But after Monday’s game in LA, the pendulum took a major swing, and it was impossible to ignore the direction: right at the quarterback. Jalen Hurts isn’t the only problem, but five turnovers is unacceptable. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and David Murphy look at the implications of a historically bad performance by Hurts, and examine how the Super Bowl MVP has sunk to this level 10 months after reaching the pinnacle of his career. unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

Turn on sports talk radio or read coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles, and it's probably be impossible to find any analysis of the team’s recent woes that doesn’t reference the offense. The unit has been painfully disjointed and inconsistent to watch, unable to deploy a nucleus filled with all-pro talent. But to pin the Eagles’ issues on this factor alone would be misguided. Should head coach Nick Sirianni, offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, and quarterback Jalen Hurts shoulder a chunk of the burden? Yes, but as The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane points out, there’s plenty of blame to go around, and we shouldn’t overlook the other areas where it can be found... 00:00 Yes, the offense stinks, but there’s a lot more going on 02:17 Addressing the Jalen Carter news, and the warning signs that preceded it 06:25 Where art thou, Jihaad Campbell? 13:38 Seeking solutions at safety 17:47 The one play that summed up the Eagles’ offensive plight unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

Things aren’t getting better; they’re getting worse. The theme doesn’t just apply to the Eagles’ Black Friday loss to the Chicago Bears. It fits the narrative of the entire 2025 season. With five games to go, there’s little reason to hope or expect significant change to take place, particularly on the offensive side of the ball - unless... The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner take a look at what the Eagles’ seemingly inherent flaws mean for the homestretch of the season, and how they could affect the fate of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.

Just weeks after a triumphant moment, Byron Young found himself dealing with the greatest tragedy of his life. Back in March, the defensive tackle returned home to Mississippi for a festive weekend with family. Not only did they celebrate him being part of the Eagles’ 2024 Super Bowl championship team, but his aunt’s birthday as well. A day later, Young’s father, Kenny, died suddenly. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane profiled Young’s emotional journey in a recent feature. You can read the article in full on inquirer.com and via the following link: https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/byron-young-late-father-memory-key-chain-nfl-week-13-20251126.html Listen to an excerpt of Jeff’s conversation with Young on this bonus episode of unCovering the Birds. unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes throughout the season, including day-after-game reactions.