Eagles OC Kevin Patullo: Having a Lot of Mouths to Feed Is ‘a Great Problem’
Okay, so the Philadelphia Eagles are sitting pretty at 4-0. Undefeated, baby! But if you’ve been watching the games, you might be scratching your head. The offense? Let’s just say it hasn’t exactly been a fireworks display. In fact, after that rough Week 4 performance, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were winless.
Seriously, that second half against the Buccaneers was a head-scratcher. Jalen Hurts couldn’t complete a pass, and the whole unit managed a measly 14 yards in seven possessions (not counting that intentional safety at the end). Five three-and-outs? Ouch. Their only points came off a turnover. Not exactly the kind of dominance we were expecting.
Talent Overload?
And here’s the kicker: this isn’t some team scraping by with spare parts. We’re talking about A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley. That’s a Pro Bowl-caliber player at every level! On paper, this offense should be lighting up scoreboards.
But the numbers don’t lie. The Eagles are averaging a paltry 138 passing yards per game through four weeks. That’s second-worst in the entire NFL, ahead of only the Tennessee Titans, who are also struggling at 0-4.
Here’s a fun fact: since 1980, only two other teams have started 4-0 with such a weak passing attack. Those were the 2004 Atlanta Falcons and the 2003 Carolina Panthers. Both teams made it to their respective championship game, but neither won it all.
Patullo’s Perspective
So, what’s the deal? Well, according to Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, it’s not a bad thing to have so many talented players. In fact, he calls it "a great problem."
"It’s a great problem, right? Because some teams don’t have what we have," Patullo said. "So it is a great problem and really the guys have been great with me. I’ve been around here for a while, so obviously I know them a little bit differently, but they all want to win and that’s the number one thing. They all want to win. They’ll do anything for the team to win."
He went on to emphasize the team-first attitude: "So whether it’s somebody’s getting the ball, somebody’s not when you watch it at times, there’s guys being excited for other guys when they’re making plays and that’s all we can really ask for. It’s just like, hey, we all want to win. We’re on the same page. We know it may be different from play to play or from game to game, but we want to win."
A.J. Brown’s Frustration
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in Philly. There’s a growing concern about the mental state of A.J. Brown. The star receiver had a rough Week 4, catching just two passes for seven yards on nine targets. That’s his lowest yardage total in a game with six or more targets. He’s had less than 30 receiving yards in three of the four games this season.
After the game, Brown took to social media with a cryptic message: "If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way."
Cue the speculation! Is Brown unhappy with his role in the offense? Is he clashing with the coaching staff?
Damage Control
The Eagles are trying to downplay the situation. Patullo insists that he has a strong relationship with Brown.
"A.J. and I have a great relationship just throughout the years being here," Patullo said. "We spent a lot of time together, so as far as communication and getting to him and I have had no problem. I know where his heart is, where he lies. He wants to win, so he feels like he can do everything and anything to help us at all times. So as far as I’m concerned, him and I are in a good spot."
The Pressure Is On
Still, until the Eagles offense starts clicking like it did during last year’s Super Bowl run, Patullo will be feeling the heat. The pressure is on, even with that perfect record. Just imagine how intense it will get if the Eagles start losing games.
The Bottom Line
The Eagles are 4-0, but they’re far from a finished product. The offense has the talent to be elite, but they need to find a way to get everyone involved and maximize their potential. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting. Can Patullo and the Eagles turn things around before it’s too late? Only time will tell.
