The Key to the Eagles 2023 Return to Prominence: The Ground Game

Jul 15, 2023

A solid running attack will be the key to the Eagles’ success in 2023–24.

Photo: Wikipedia.com

A significant component of the Philadelphia Eagles’ return to prominence in 2023, and a repeat Super Bowl appearance in 2024 will be keeping quarterback Jalen Hurts healthy. While it will be important not to limit the young quarterback’s ability to use his legs and to extend plays, a formidable ground game will keep Hurts upright while allowing the Eagles’ outstanding receivers to ravage defenses further.

Even with a 4th-and-1 play that was unstoppable and looked like a dump-truck plowing through a road closer barricade, the Eagles will look to improve on their 2,509 rushing yards last season. Improving that rank will open up more opportunities for A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert.

Let’s look at what this unit can bring to the Eagles in 2023.

D’Andre Swift

A draft-day trade has brought the Philadelphia native and St. Joe’s Prep graduate home. At the University of Georgia, he shared a backfield with Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and Elijah Holyfield. Swift rushed for 2,885 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons at Georgia.

Swift joined the Detroit Lions in 2020 as a 35th overall draft pick and once again had competition in the running back room, this time from Kerryon Johnson and Adrian Petersen.

In Detroit, Swift rushed for 1,680 yards and 18 touchdowns and added 156 receptions for 1,198 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season in September, he rushed for 144 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Eagles defense.

Rashaad Penny

A former 1st round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, he rushed for 1,918 yards and 13 touchdowns in five seasons in Seattle and can be a nice compliment to D’Andre Swift if he can stay healthy.

Kenneth Gainwell

In his second professional season with the Eagles in 2022, Gainwell had a terrific game in the NFC Divisional Round against the New York Giants.

The former National Freshman of the Year, second-team All-American, and first-team All-ACC can continue to help the Eagles backfield with his elusive style.

Boston Scott

Boston Scott has come up huge for the Eagles in key moments over the last five seasons as both a running back and also a punt returner.

Jalen Hurts

Of course, we’ve got to mention the Eagles offensive leader. And while we can’t completely eliminate Hurt’s and Sirianni’s 4th-and-we-’re going-for-it bulldozer approach to short yardage, a key to returning to a Super Bowl appearance will be to have less of a need to call designed running plays for Jalen in the open field.

In 2021 and 2022, Hurts rushed for 784 and 760 yards, respectively.

Honorable Mentions

Kennedy Brooks

Kennedy Brooks is returning for his second season with the Eagles after rushing for more than 1,000 yards at Oklahoma.

Trey Sermon

Trey Sermon is a former 3rd round draft pick of the San Fransisco 49ers who rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in his college career at Oklahoma and Ohio State.

If the Eagles return to the Super Bowl in 2024, they’ll need the running back group to be a considerable component while simultaneously replacing the production of Miles Sanders.