Colin Cowherd Explains Mess Eagles Currently Have on Their Hands

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 15:18 GMT by Sports Illustrated

Colin Cowherd Explains the Eagles’ Mess and the “Hands” They’ve Got

In a candid and often hard‑talking column for Sports Illustrated, former ESPN broadcaster and now Colin Cowherd—the “Colin Cowherd Show” host who’s become a well‑known voice in sports punditry—breaks down the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent chaotic season, why it feels like a mess, and the few bright spots that may help the team turn the tide. While the title hints at the “hands” the Eagles currently hold, Cowherd uses that phrase to refer both to the team’s actual draft assets and to a more figurative “hand” of influence that could shape their fortunes in the coming years.

A Season in Shambles

Cowherd opens the piece by summarizing the Eagles’ 2022 campaign, noting how the team stumbled to a 6‑11 record despite the promise of a strong roster. He points out the early injuries to star offensive lineman Brandon Brooks and the sudden exit of Sam Darnold—whose performance had been shaky at best. In the ensuing weeks, the offense sputtered, and the defense—once the envy of the league—was reduced to a collection of big names with no cohesion.

The column’s humor is tempered by a genuine frustration with what Cowherd calls “the mess” that has become the Eagles. “The team is a mess in the same way a jigsaw puzzle with all the pieces on the wrong side of the cardboard is a mess,” he writes, and he cites a litany of factors: a weak offensive line, a defensive scheme that seems to change each week, and a lack of continuity at the quarterback position.

The Quarterback Dilemma

A huge part of the article centers on the quarterback situation. Cowherd explains that Philadelphia has been playing like a “quicksand” when it comes to finding a franchise QB. The Eagles traded away their long‑time starter, Carson Wentz, early in the 2020s, and the team has struggled to fill the void. With Jalen Hurts emerging as a dynamic dual‑threat, there was hope that the offense could rebuild around him. But Hurts has shown flashes of brilliance while also delivering a number of turnovers—an inconsistency that has plagued the team’s record.

Cowherd also touches on the rumored trade for a veteran quarterback that never materialized. “They had the hand on the deal, but the handshake was never sealed,” he jokes, implying that the Eagles had an opportunity to secure a seasoned signal‑caller but failed to close the door. The column references a linked SI story that detailed the trade talks with the Raiders for a backup quarterback. While the trade never went through, it illustrates the Eagles’ precarious position: they have a “hand” on potential moves but lack the decisive action needed to capitalize.

Draft Assets and “Hands”

Cowherd then shifts focus to the phrase “Eagles currently have hands.” In this context, he uses the phrase in a double‑meaning. First, it refers to the Eagles’ actual draft picks, which the team has amassed through trades and a successful playoff run in 2021. The article notes that Philadelphia owns a second‑round pick in 2023 and a third‑round pick in 2024—picks that could be used to acquire a franchise quarterback or address other positional gaps.

Second, the phrase underscores the broader influence the Eagles hold in the NFL ecosystem. With a strong financial backing from owner Jeffrey Lurie and a reputation for savvy front‑office decisions, the team has a “hand” on how to navigate the complex landscape of free agency and player development. Cowherd argues that the Eagles’ front office has the capability to "hand off" talent to the right position and make it work, but the recent season has shown that skill can be squandered without proper execution.

The column also references another linked article—an analysis of the 2023 NFL Draft that discusses how the Eagles could use their picks to target a specific profile: a mobile quarterback with a strong arm, a defensive tackle to bolster the front line, or a versatile slot receiver. Cowherd uses these linked resources to paint a picture of a team that is, in many ways, ready for a turnaround, even if the path is murky.

What Comes Next?

Cowherd closes with a look ahead. He is skeptical about the team’s immediate chances of returning to playoff form, but he also acknowledges the potential that lies in the hands the Eagles hold. “If they can lock down Jalen Hurts, draft a solid pass‑rushing tackle, and address the offensive line—just a handful of moves—they could reverse the trend in the next two seasons,” he writes. The article ends with a note that the Eagles are “in a mess,” but that the pieces are there to start reassembling, as long as the leadership keeps its focus on execution.

The Takeaway

Colin Cowherd’s column is an entertaining yet sobering examination of a franchise that’s floundered for a season. He combines humor, frank criticism, and a deep understanding of football strategy to explain why the Eagles are in a mess and how the “hands” they hold could help or hinder their recovery. The piece also serves as a reminder that in the NFL, having the right tools is only part of the equation; turning those tools into a championship platform requires vision, discipline, and a bit of luck.