By Jackson Melin
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts playing against Kansas City Chiefs player during Super Bowl LIX. Photo by Matt Slocum, Associated Press
The NFL season has come to an end and the Super Bowl festivities have simmered down. This year was a rematch of Super Bowl LVII with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Philadelphia Eagles.
How did each team get there?
Since taking over in 2021, Eagles’ Head Coach Nick Sirianni achieved a record of 40-28. The Eagles have appeared in the playoffs each year under Sirianni’s tenure. Philadelphia went 14-3, clinching the NFC East.
This was largely in part to quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley. Hurts had a worse year compared to 2023, throwing fewer touchdowns and yards while also tying his career-best for sacks (38). His numbers took a dip partly because of the addition of Barkley.
Three-time pro-bowler Barkley signed with Philadelphia this last offseason to a three-year $37.75 million deal. The 27-year-old became the third highest-paid RB in the league. Barkley ran for over 2000 yards last season, joining the top eight rushers in NFL history to hit the 2000-yard mark.
Rookies Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell helped the Eagles pass defense to rank first in the fewest passing yards per game.
The Chiefs have achieved success over the past decade due to Head Coach Andy Reid. Since taking over the team in 2013, the Chiefs haven’t had a losing season. They have won three Super Bowls prior to the last. This last season, the Chiefs only lost one game. This year’s Super Bowl was the second time that Reid faced his former team in the championship, the first time being the 2023 Super Bowl.
Former MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes also saw a dip in production. The 29-year-old regressed similarly to Hurts. The Chiefs made midseason acquisitions to help the quarterback’s stats by signing former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt and trading for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Stalwart tight end Travis Kelce once again proved to be the primary target for Mahomes, leading the team in receiving yards.
Let’s see what next year’s season brings us.