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Malcolm Jenkins on the Eagles’ offseason, more on coaching changes, and Chris Long’s philanthropy continues | Early Birds

“To me, the biggest thing we faced was just injury,” Jenkins says. “And that’s not anything you can really control in this league."

Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins is the unquestioned leader in the Eagles locker room.
Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins is the unquestioned leader in the Eagles locker room.Read moreClem Murray / Staff

Good morning. The NFL’s attention is now on Atlanta, where the Super Bowl will be played Sunday. This a quiet period for the Eagles after executives and scouts returned from last week’s Senior Bowl, and they will turn their attention to preparing for the scouting combine at the end of the month.

This is a Wednesday edition of the Early Birds newsletter. I want to know what you think, what we should add, and what you want to read, so send me feedback by email or on Twitter @ZBerm. Thank you for reading.

— Zach Berman

Malcolm Jenkins on the Eagles' offseason

Malcolm Jenkins just finished his fifth season with the Eagles, a span that includes two head coaches, four starting quarterbacks, multiple big trades and acquisitions, and notable departures. He saw the Eagles reload after a Super Bowl last season by adding veterans in an effort to repeat. There are comings and goings every year, although there could be more change than usual this offseason.

“I’ve been here in the Chip Kelly era,” Jenkins said, “so nothing will surprise me.”

Jenkins said the Eagles have developed a culture that will be a “destination” to others in the league because the Eagles “will compete every year.”

Jenkins thought the Eagles had a team that could win this season; he bemoaned what could have been had the team been healthier throughout the season. Jenkins has developed enough clout in the organization to speak his mind about what the Eagles could add or improve for next season, but his big focus was on health — not on personnel.

“To me, the biggest thing we faced was just injury,” Jenkins said. “And that’s not anything you can really control in this league. We’ll see what happens — who we have, who remains, who moves on — and we evaluate from there. But I think that’s the most disappointing this year: I think we had everything we needed. Through injuries and other things, it wasn’t the case.”

Jenkins was one player who avoided injury. He took every defensive snap this season. He hasn’t missed a game since coming to Philadelphia. He said the past two years have felt like one long season because of the Super Bowl run and a short offseason. Plus, Jenkins is not one who usually invites idle time away from football. But he’s making sure he takes some time away and catches his breath for his 11th NFL season. His first trip will be to Ghana.

“That’s a priority of mine, to do some traveling,” Jenkins said. “It’s been a crazy couple years. I’ll get some rest. This is my 10th season. I put a lot of miles on the car. I’ll relax, get my mind away, but come back ready to get at it again.”

Coaching staff changes

The Eagles continue to tinker with their coaching staff, with the latest news that they’ll add former Dolphins defensive coordinator Matt Burke in an advisory role. Burke has a long history with Jim Schwartz, working with the Eagles defensive coordinator in Detroit and Tennessee. (This is Schwartz’s defense — that hasn’t changed and won’t change.)

Elsewhere, the Eagles have openings at defensive-line coach, wide-receivers coach, and assistant offensive-line coach. (Those haven’t been formally announced.) I’d watch out for assistant defensive-line coach Phillip Daniels as a candidate for a promotion. Daniels had a 14-year NFL career and has worked with the Eagles defensive line during the past three seasons.

What helps the Eagles with all these openings is the timing. Last year, Frank Reich and John DeFilippo didn’t leave until after the Super Bowl. By that point, the hiring cycle was just about finished. The Eagles should be in position to have their full staff in place by the combine late next month.

Chris Long’s philanthropy continues

The Chris Long Foundation is running a “First Quarter for Literacy Week” initiative to help get books to children in under-served neighborhoods and encourage reading. Long partnered with the nonprofit First Book and four friends in the NFL to distribute 27,600 new books in four cities this week.

Fletcher Cox, former Eagles Beau Allen and Connor Barwin, and Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth made donations, which Long matched. This is part of Long’s First Quarter for Literacy drive, which he started in September when he pledged to donate a quarter of his salary to promote early literacy in Philadelphia and rural Virginia. The drive has raised more than $500,000 this season.

What you need to know about the Eagles

  1. Jeff McLane examines the Carson Wentz-Jared Goff debate now that Goff is in the Super Bowl.

  2. Paul Domowitch looks at how the Eagles and Patriots both like a running-back-by-committee approach.

  3. Could Press Taylor join his brother in Cincinnati?

  4. The Eagles are adding Matt Burke to their staff.

  5. Mike Sielski says you should root for the Patriots. Find out why.

  6. Ed Barkowitz breaks down the big offseason questions for the Eagles' 2019 opponents. 

  7. McLane looks at Rams linebacker Bryce Hager, the son of a former Eagles linebacker and a friend of Nick Foles.

  8. What do you think of the Patriots' playing the underdog card? Domo has more.

  9. Marcus Hayes writes about Doug Pederson’s “new norm.

  10. Could the Eagles look at Philadelphia native Nasir Adderley, a potential first-round pick who’s related to Hall of Famer Herb Adderley?

From the mailbag

My guess is they continue to carry three quarterbacks, assuming Nate Sudfeld is the No. 2 quarterback. (Or if not Sudfeld, an experienced veteran.)

When Doug Pederson was hired, he had said he wanted to get in the habit of having a young quarterback on the roster to develop. That was Carson Wentz in 2016 and Nate Sudfeld in 2017. I can see the Eagles drafting a quarterback on Day 3 or going after another young quarterback for that developmental role.

Sudfeld is a restricted free agent this offseason and, if he comes back, will be in position to try to find a better opportunity in 2020. So it’s important for the Eagles to have a pipeline at that position, and I know it’s something they would like.