No defense in the NFL last year was better than the Philadelphia Eagles, which was a big reason why they took home the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season.
The Eagles were first in total defense, allowing 278.4 yards per game, which is 32.8 fewer yards than the second-place Tennessee Titans. Philadelphia also had the number one pass defense (174.2), the number 10 rush defense (104.2), the second-best scoring defense (17.8), and sixth in takeaways (26).
There's no denying how good this unit was, but they lost quite a few veterans who made up the defense in the offseason. Guys like C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Darius Slay, Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, and Brandon Graham laid the foundation for this defense over the past three years.
With the new youth movement in full swing in Philadelphia, the Eagles look to the younger players to start the next generation of great Eagles' defenses. Their three-headed monster on defense are good enough to be considered the best of the best.
Eagles' trio defensively is the best in the NFL
Sports Illustrated writer Gilberto Manzano examined each team’s pass rushers, linebackers and secondary to see which group was the best in the NFL. The Eagles ranked number one on his list with the triplet being Jalen Carter, Zack Baun, and Quinyon Mitchell.
Carter was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in his second season in the NFL after 42 tackles, 16 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss, six pass deflections, and 4.5 sacks in 16 games. According to PFF, he had the seventh highest grade among interior defensive linemen in pass rush with 81.5 and was ninth in pressures with 53.
Philadelphia's first selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was elite in his rookie season with 46 tackles and 12 pass deflections in 16 games. While he didn't nab an interception in the regular season, he did grab two in the postseason. His pass coverage stats are what stand out with Mitchell as he allowed a quarterback rating of 87.2, and his completion percentage allowed was a low 54.7%
Not many linebackers have had a turnaround career like Baun's in one season, with 151 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, and one interception in 16 games. PFF scored him the number two best overall grade among linebackers with 90.1.
This defense will look different and younger in 2025 with other key contributors like Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith Jr., Reed Blankenship, and Cooper DeJean ushering in the next generation of Eagles defenders. There could be some bumps and bruises in the beginning, but this unit will be at the top for a long time.
