The Four Most Important Takeaways From Howie Roseman In Indianapolis

Every Head Coach, General Manager, and Player Agents is on the ground in Indianapolis this week for the National Football League Scouting Combine. Functioning like half industry convension, and half information gathering event, this is one of the most important events of the NFL offseason.

The Philadelphia Eagles Executive Vice President and General Manager Howie Roseman has been making the media rounds. From hosting a Press Conference to being a guests on multiple national shows, the Eagles Front Office leader has been asked plenty of questions over the last 48 hours.

So we have organized the Top Four Biggest Takeaways from what Howie Roseman had to say to the media at the 2026 NFL Combine:

1. Why New Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion will be good for Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts

"(Sean Mannion's Offensive) system we think is going to be really good for (Jalen Hurts) as well as a lot of our other players...Just really excited to get him back in the spring (for Offseason Training Activities), and (for Hurts to) get the reps, and continue to learn the principles that Sean's looking to bring to our offense and go from there."

Takeaway: These comments by Roseman remind me of what former Eagles Quarterback Nick Foles was saying on The SZN Podcast about the value of what Mannion brings for current Eagles QB Hurts. Like Foles explained, the hiring of Mannion was about having an Offensive Coordinator who can connect with and coach up Philadelphia's Franchise Quarterback. Mannion, a former NFL Quarterback, can communicate with Jalen Hurts is ways that a person like Kevin Patulo does not know how to do.

2. Roseman explains why the Eagles hired Sean Mannion to be the next Offensive Coordinator:

"We were looking for a system of play that fits our players, and having a system that we can go back to our players, and show them the vision for (the offense). Sean has a vision for how we're going to play, he has a vision for how our offensive line's going to play, how our skilled guys are going to play, how our quarterback's going to play. We think it fits the talents that those players have, and so for us, that's exciting."

Takeaway: Roseman is explaining that Sean Mannion wasn't just the "best candidate", but he comes with the best plan to elevate the Eagles offense. Mannion presented a "vision" for Philadelphia's new offense that will get more out of Jalen Hurts, and the offensive skill players.

What Howie Roseman cannot say publicly (but is probably thinking) is that the Eagles saw what work Mannion with a "lesser Quarterback" in Green Bay (Malik Willis), a less athletic Offensive Line, and no clear number one receivers (Romeo Dobbs, Christian Watson are not on the same level as AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith).

3. Speaking of AJ Brown, Howie Roseman gave his side of the "story" with the Eagles Wide Receiver this past season:

"AJ is a fearless competitor who loves to play, who loves to win, and when people ask him something, he just tells them what he views as what's going on. And you know, he's done that before in years that we've gone to the Super Bowl. So everything for him comes in terms of trying for us to get better, trying to improve, seeing things that we could improve. So someone asks him the question, and he's honest, and all of us who have relationships with AJ in the building, and all of us do have relationships with AJ, see a guy who cares about his teammates.

 

He's a (team) captain, you know, he's been a captain, he's not elected by me, he's not elected by Nick (Sirianni). He's elected by his teammates, and that speaks to the kind of leadership that he has and the work ethic that he has."

Takeaway: These are not the words of a man who is trying to maintain a positive public image for a potential trade asset. Howie Roseman gave an honest, genuine perspective of an Eagles player who is not viewed as problematic or toxic. AJ Brown is seen as a team leader, a good person in the building, and someone who thinks that he is doing what is best for the team. This gives real weight to when Roseman says that the Eagles are not "in the business" of trading away "great players."

4. Eagles GM Howie Roseman talks about one of Philadelphia's top priorities to re-sign this offseason: Edge Rusher Jaelan Phillips

"Well, you certainly see (Phillips) fit with (Defensive Coordinator Vic) Fangio in our defense, which a lot of times when you're talking about free agency, (fit) is a big part of free agency. How is this guy going to fit into our defense? So, you see that there, you know, you've been with the guy. He's got tremendous character, tremendous work ethic, and then (understands) all the things that you're doing. You're trying to balance the other factors that go along with that to try to come down with the value (for negotiations)."

Takeaway: The Eagles' Defense allowed 15.5 Points Per Game Against in the nine regular season games after acquiring Phillips before the NFL Trade Deadline. Before making the trade with the Dolphins, Philadelphia's defense was allowing 23.1 PPGA.

Phillips proved to be an important part of the Eagles defense, and as someone who has excelled in Vic Fangio's scheme, the soon-to-be 27 year old Edge Rusher will be a priority for the Eagles to re-sign this offseason.