A lot has changed in football since the Philadelphia Eagles won their last Super Bowl.
A lot has changed in football since the Philadelphia Eagles won their last Super Bowl.
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.
The Eagles prevented NFL history from being made, ruining the Chiefs’ quest to become the first NFL team to win three straight Super Bowls. Philadelphia also avenged its loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl LVII two years ago.
The win marks the second time the franchise has hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. The first one came after defeating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Philadelphia’s defense dominated against Kansas City, forcing three turnovers in the game and allowing no points in the first half. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns, while running for 72 yards and a score. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had 257 passing yards plus three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Here’s a look back at major changes within the football world since the last time the Eagles were Super Bowl champions: Feb. 4, 2018.
King Henry forms powerful duo
Derrick Henry has evolved into one of the best running backs in the league since the Eagles last Super Bowl win.
He eclipsed 2,000 yards in 2020, then after eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans, reached a two-year, $16 million agreement with the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. The move not only formed a powerful duo with quarterback Lamar Jackson, but immediately paid dividends.
Henry ran for 1,921 in his first season with the Ravens, the second-most rushing yards in a season for his career. The one-two punch of Henry and Jackson aided in Baltimore going 12-5 and reaching the AFC divisional round.
Chapel Bill makes the jump
After working in the NFL in some capacity from 1975 to 2023, Bill Belichick shocked the sports world by becoming the head coach of North Carolina football in December. Belichick’s father, Steve, was an assistant coach for the Tar Heels from 1953 to 1955.
The gig is the first college coaching job for Belichick. He agreed to a five-year with the school after a season away from coaching.
Belichick has already made his name in the college game, too. Edwin Campbell, the head football coach at North Carolina’s Southeast Raleigh High School, said recently: “Belichick has put the state on notice in recruiting.”
The GOAT calls it a career
The Eagles handed Brady the final Super Bowl loss of his career in 2018. The former Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller went on to win two more Super Bowls — in 2019 against the Los Angeles Rams and in 2021 against the Chiefs.
Brady retired not once, but twice in the time span since Philadelphia’s last Super Bowl win. He first announced his retirement in February 2022, only to change his mind 40 days later. He officially retired “for good” in February 2023 after a 23-year NFL run.
Brady ended his career with seven Super Bowl victories and as the NFL’s leader in career passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649).
Rodgers heads to the Big Apple
After weeks of speculation regarding his future, the Green Bay Packers dealt Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets in April 2023. The deal came 40 days after the quarterback announced on “The Pat McAfee Show” that his intention was to play for the Jets next season.
Rodgers’ New York tenure started rocky as he tore an Achilles in his debut, forcing him to miss the entire 2023 season.
It didn’t get much better in 2024. Rodgers threw for 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts. The franchise fired head coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start and finished the season 5-12.
Daniels revives the Commanders
Jayden Daniels had yet to play in an NFL game, let alone be drafted, when the Chiefs went back-to-back. The Washington Commanders selected him at No. 2 overall two months later, and he has proven to be worth the pick.
Daniels led Washington to a 12-5 regular season record and a spot in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1991 season. The Commanders became the fifth team since the merger to have a bottom-two record and feature in a conference championship game in the ensuing season.
The stellar season resulted in him winning Offensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday.
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