If You Didn’t think that Philly High School and College Talent Is Making An Impact Across America — Look No Farther Than the Chicago Bears.
The Eagles have made an incredible reputation on personnel moves — but on Friday at Lincoln Financial Field — some of those decisions combined with former tri-state area talent contributed to a Bears win. A lot of familiar names helped to contribute to the Bears win over the Eagles on Black Friday at Lincoln Financial Field. And several have even had a locker at the Novacare Complex during Nick Sirianni’s tenure as Head Coach of the Eagles.
After winning the NFC in 2022 — the Eagles had a forgettable 2023–2024 campaign where the season unraveled. Adding Safety Kevin Byard opposite fellow Middle Tennessee State alumni Reed Blankenship did not work out in Philly. Now — Kevin Byard III is part of a Bears defense that is creating turnovers almost week after week.
And how about a college and high school connection?
St. Joe’s Prep graduate D’Andre Swift did not return to the Eagles after 1,000 yards in 2023. His teammate and fellow St. Joe’s Prep Graduate — Olamide Zaccheaus also did not return after the 2023 campaign. The Eagles instead won the Super Bowl last year with Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson as the receivers behind Devonta Smith and AJ Brown.
While the Eagles were winning a Super Bowl back in 2018 — two hours north in Ramsey, New Jersey at Don Bosco Preparatory High School — Kyle Monangai was making his presence known in the running game. At Rutgers — he would rush for over 3,200 yards before being drafted this spring by the Bears in the seventh round of last year’s Draft.
And finally the return of an old friend. On the Eagles last possession on 3rd and 4 — CJ Gardner-Johnson popped Jalen Hurts after a short run. When the Eagles obtained CJ Gardner-Johnson in both 2022 and 2024 — they went to the Super Bowl the following season in both seasons. When the Eagles decided to turn to youth in the secondary after a Super Bowl win — Gardner-Johnson was out first to Houston and then to Baltimore and finally to Chicago.
The Eagles weren’t just beaten by former talent. They were beaten by Philly Talent.
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