We always hear that culture is important. Being in an enjoyable football environment matters, just like with any job in the world. The Philadelphia Eagles’ prioritization of this in recent years has aided their Super Bowl success.
Eagles Bring Back Foles—And Reward Him
In the 2017 offseason, quarterback Nick Foles was a free agent, and the Eagles were in need of a backup. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were, too. The then-28-year-old had a choice: Philadelphia, his former team, or Tampa Bay. He chose the latter.
Foles told Eagles Wire, when pondering the decision, “We were trying to figure out what was best for our family. […] Do you want to move somewhere where you know no one or go to a city you were traded from but know so many people and wonderful people? That was a tough decision for me.”
Ultimately, Foles chose to sign in Philadelphia. Less than a calendar year later, he won Super Bowl MVP—a turn of events not even he could’ve dreamt up. Having an environment that a former player was happy returning to helped change the entire trajectory of the franchise, winning its first title in nearly 60 years.
Carson Wentz, the team’s regular-season MVP-caliber quarterback who suffered a torn ACL in Week 14, was set to be back early in the next campaign. While he had a Godlike run in the playoffs, Foles wasn’t the guy long-term. But the Eagles rewarded him anyway. They gave him a revised deal for the 2018 season, where he earned a pay raise. When the Birds were confident in Wentz’s health, they let Foles walk to earn a big-money contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019.
Philadelphia didn’t have to reward Foles. They could have easily traded him to an overzealous club for draft capital. Choosing not to is high-end culture.
Eagles Entice and Reward Saquon Barkley
In the 2024 offseason, Saquon Barkley was easily the biggest fish on the market. A poor offensive line with the New York Giants was obviously holding him back—a rare superstar sitting in free agency. Out of any destination, he chose Philadelphia as his new home.
PHOTO: Eagles Nation on X.
Being a great team played a part in this. But he also told Delaware Online, “I’m happy to be a Philadelphia Eagle. I take pride in it. I’m going to take pride in this organization. I’m going to take pride in my community.”
Could he have said that about any team he signed with? Sure. At the same time, the Eagles were simply a high-class organization getting high-class praise.
In 2024, became the first player with 2,500-plus single-season rushing yards across the regular season and playoffs, en route to a Super Bowl title.
The Eagles took no time to give him a pay raise, despite the 28-year-old being under contract for two more seasons. A $41.2 million extension, with 87.4% of that being guaranteed, was his prize for such an excellent campaign. Barkley told NFL.com, “I want to be here for a very long time.”
Philadelphia Is a Fun—And Rewarding—Place to Play
Led by quarterback Jalen Hurts and one of the most talented groups in football, Philadelphia is somewhere everyone should want to play. They win Super Bowls with fun-loving—not toxic—environments.
If you are a key contributor in a Super Bowl win, expect to be paid accordingly. The Eagles didn’t need to increase the pay of Foles and Barkley—they chose to. Some winning organizations are robotic in this way, having no attachment to anyone. The Eagles are appreciative and respectful to those who helped them succeed.
Thus, Philadelphia is an attractive market. Prospects want to get drafted there. Free agents want to sign there. In-house players want to stay there.
The Eagles’ tremendous culture is contributing to their winning ways. It should continue to do so for years to come.
PHOTO: Eagles Nation on X
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