unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLane

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Free agency | What’s happened, what could happen next Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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.

Albert Breer forecasts free agency Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

Howie Roseman, Nick Sirianni speak! Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

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.

A.J. Brown, Sean Mannion's impact, and contract decisions: what the league will be saying about the Eagles at the combine Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

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.

Stoutland, Fangio, Mannion: What Jeff’s been hearing at the Super Bowl Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

The Eagles' offensive coordinator search, Jalen Hurts, and more with The Athletic's Michael Silver Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

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/

What do Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman really think of Nick Sirianni? Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

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 Day After: What's next? Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

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 Super Bowl repeat? Reasons for hope, doubt Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

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.

The Day After: An early look at Eagles vs. 49ers in Wild Card round Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

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