PHILADELPHIA, PA - Not every available team entering Season 36 represents a rebuilding project. For a prospective owner looking to step into 2K OLF with a roster capable of competing immediately, the Philadelphia Eagles may offer one of the more intriguing opportunities currently available.
Philadelphia finished Season 35 at 9-8, good enough for second place in the NFC East and the No. 5 seed in the conference. Their postseason stay was brief, ending with a 24-20 Wild Card loss at Tampa Bay, but the Eagles demonstrated throughout the season that the foundation of a competitive team is already in place.
A Season That Started Poorly but Recovered Quickly
Philadelphia opened Season 35 with three consecutive losses, falling to the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers before finally getting on track with victories over the New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals. From there, the Eagles recovered enough to work their way into the playoff field despite another difficult stretch late in the year.
What may be most encouraging for a prospective owner is how Philadelphia finished the regular season. The Eagles closed with consecutive divisional victories, beating Washington 20-17 before defeating Dallas 42-38 in Week 18 to secure their postseason position.
That ability to recover from an 0-3 start and still reach the playoffs suggests this was never a roster incapable of winning. Consistency was the larger problem.
Jalen Hurts Gives the Next Owner a Franchise Quarterback
The biggest attraction is obvious.
Jalen Hurts enters Season 36 after throwing for 4,102 yards, 35 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. He completed 65.7 percent of his passes and finished Season 35 with a 103.5 passer rating while adding another 462 yards on the ground.
Having an established quarterback immediately removes one of the biggest problems a new owner can inherit. There is no need to begin Season 36 searching for an answer at the most important position on the field.
The offense as a whole averaged 24.5 points and 358.1 yards per game last season, including 241.1 passing yards per contest. Philadelphia converted nearly 45 percent of its third downs and produced 50 total touchdowns.
Saquon Barkley Remains a Major Weapon
Hurts is not the only reason Philadelphia should attract attention.
Saquon Barkley rushed for 1,050 yards and eight touchdowns despite appearing in only 13 games, averaging an impressive 6.0 yards per carry. He also contributed 380 receiving yards and four touchdowns through the air.
That gives a new owner the ability to build an offense around both a dual-threat quarterback and one of the league’s most dangerous backs.
DeVonta Smith also returns after leading Philadelphia with 1,004 receiving yards, while the receiving corps underwent significant changes during the offseason. A.J. Brown, who had 995 yards during Season 35, was traded to New England in June. Philadelphia has responded by reshaping the position around Smith and several new additions.
Philadelphia Didn’t Stand Still
The Eagles were active in preparing for Season 36, particularly at receiver and along the defensive front.
Philadelphia acquired Dontayvion Wicks from Green Bay in April and then used the 20th overall selection in the draft on wide receiver Makai Lemon, giving the next owner multiple new pieces to work with alongside Smith. Tight end Eli Stowers followed with the 54th overall pick.
One of the biggest additions came on defense, where Philadelphia acquired pass rusher Jonathan Greenard from Minnesota during the draft. Greenard arrives on a defense that already featured Nolan Smith Jr., who recorded 11.5 sacks during Season 35, and Jihaad Campbell, who led Philadelphia with 90 tackles.
That combination gives the Eagles considerable upside for whoever ultimately takes control of the team.
This Isn’t a Typical Vacancy
Available teams sometimes require patience. A new owner may inherit an uncertain quarterback situation, an aging roster or a franchise several seasons away from legitimately competing.
Philadelphia does not appear to fit that description.
The Eagles already have Hurts and Barkley in the backfield, Smith leading a revamped receiving corps, established talent along the offensive line and several defensive pieces capable of making an immediate impact. They also reached the postseason last year despite beginning the season 0-3 and losing four of five games during another difficult late-season stretch.
That does not mean the next owner is inheriting a guaranteed contender. Philadelphia allowed 26.6 points per game last season and surrendered 452 total points, so there are defensive issues that will need to be addressed. The loss of Brown also changes the identity of the passing game.
What the Eagles do offer is something many vacancies cannot: a realistic chance to compete immediately while still having enough roster turnover to allow a new owner to put their own stamp on the franchise.
Who Wants Philadelphia?
Season 36 will bring plenty of opportunities for new users to establish themselves in 2K OLF, and Philadelphia may be among the most attractive teams still waiting for someone to take the job.
A playoff roster already exists. A franchise quarterback is already in place. The offseason brought new weapons and another dangerous pass rusher.
All Philadelphia needs now is someone willing to take control of it.
