The Architect of the Underdogs

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia – Three years, one month and two days after being relieved of his duties as General Manager (GM) of the Philadelphia Eagles, Howie Roseman rejoiced as he celebrated the team’s first Super Bowl victory as the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots, 41-33 in Super Bowl 52.

Originally, Roseman joined the Eagles as a Salary Cap specialist before receiving multiple promotions, which ultimately led him to being named the Eagles’ GM on January 29, 2010 after their former GM Tom Heckert accepted a similar role with the Cleveland Browns.

Even though he was equipped with the title of General Manager, Roseman primarily functioned as an advisor to then-Head Coach and Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Andy Reid, who had final say in all football-related matters.

Disastrous 8-8 and 4-12 seasons led Eagles’ Owner, Jeffrey Lurie to fire Andy Reid and bring in Chip Kelly to serve as the team’s Head Coach and de facto head of football operations.

After a tumultuous relationship with Kelly that was marred in a power struggle, Roseman was relieved of his duties as GM and named Executive Vice President of Football Operations, a wonderful title but essentially, a demotion as he was stripped of power in personnel decisions.

But even when Roseman lost his power, he boldly stated that “Philadelphia is my home and the Eagles are my family. My number one goal is to help bring a championship to this city and that will never change.” Remaining loyal to the organization that gave him his first job in the National Football League (NFL).

Under the guidance of Kelly and his high-powered offense led by Quarterback Nick Foles, the Eagles achieved back-to-back 10 win seasons and a sole playoff berth over his first two years at the helm.

However, in his third year with the team, a power-crazed Kelly overhauled the Eagles roster by releasing or trading several prominent starters such as Trent Cole, Nick Foles, DeSean Jackson, Evan Mathis, and LeSean McCoy, while also letting Jeremy Maclin leave in free agency.

The gutted roster along with newcomers like Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, and Ryan Mathews that were personally brought in by Kelly struggled to find their way and with a week left in the 2015 season and a 6-9 record, Jeffrey Lurie made the call to fire Chip Kelly.

Howie Roseman was then reappointed to the role of General Manager and was tasked with fixing a franchise that was in flux after Kelly. Aware that the franchise needed to recapture some of the success it had prior to the Chip Kelly era, Roseman made the bold move of bringing in Andy Reid protégé Doug Pederson to become the team’s new Head Coach.

Many people were critical of the hiring, one prominent critic was former-Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb as he questioned the decision, “Are they trying to relive the past…I want to see the Eagles win, but I don't know if you do that just by bringing guys back who were there.”

ProFootball Talk’s Mike Florio called the hiring “more like a Chip Kelly palate cleanser than an all-in move toward a Super Bowl run.”

If that move wasn’t controversial enough, the Eagles then traded the 13th overall pick, linebacker Kiko Alonso, cornerback Byron Maxwell (Chip Kelly imports) to Miami for the 8th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Following that move, the Eagles traded that pick, the 77th and 100th picks along with their first round pick in 2017, and second round pick in 2018 to Cleveland to move up to number two pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Eagles used the number two pick to select North Dakota State’s quarterback, Carson Wentz in a move that garnered more criticism of Roseman. Fan reactions included, “Giving up the farm to go up 8 spots. #ThatsSoPhilly” and “yay, now we [will] suck for another decade.”

Sticking to what he knew, Roseman put his faith in Pederson and Wentz’ hands just as the Eagles were in the hands of Reid and McNabb for a decade prior to the Kelly era in Philly. Then trading starting quarterback, Sam Bradford led to the trio being in firm control of Philadelphia’s future.

Along with drafting Wentz, Roseman selected offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai and cornerback Jalen Mills. In that same off-season, Roseman also signed safety Rodney McLeod, offensive guards Brandon Brooks and Stefan Wisniewski, and linebacker Nigel Bradham.

The following year Roseman signed free agents wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, and running back LeGarrette Blount to provide a supporting cast around budding young star quarterback Carson Wentz.

On the defensive side of the ball, Roseman drafted defensive end Derek Barnett, brought in defensive end Chris Long and cornerback Patrick Robinson as well as trading the 2017 draft’s 74th pick to the Baltimore Ravens to acquire defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and trading wide receiver Jordan Matthews to Buffalo for cornerback Ronald Darby.

If that wasn’t enough, at the trade deadline of this season, Roseman traded a 2018 fourth round pick to Miami for running back Jay Ajayi.

All of these players acquired by Roseman were either starters or key contributors that turned the underdog Eagles into the high-flying top dogs of the NFL.

While Pederson, Wentz, and Foles certainly deserve a ton of credit for bringing Philadelphia its first Super Bowl title; Howie Roseman was the mastermind that used calculated risks to construct this team for immediate and future success.