For the last 27 years, droves of NFL fans were treated to a weekly column titled Football Monday in America, by one of the best sportswriters of all-time in Peter King.

As of Monday, February 26 – that will no longer be the case, as King announced his retirement after an illustrious 44 year career.

The column has always represented a gauntlet of information – typically over 10,000 words that comprise stories, news, insight, and opinion, among other topics. His last and final one was no different, either, as King reflected on the past and took readers inside some of his best memories and conversations over the last four-plus decades.

But, it only took him about two lines and 29 words to make Philadelphia Eagles fans even more anxious about the 2024 season than they already are.

I don’t have a good feeling about Philadelphia in 2024. But if the Eagles return to goodness, it’s got to be on the wings of Jalen Hurts. Lead, man. – Peter King, Sports Illustrated

Can Hurts bring the Eagles back if the offense is broken, though?
Hurts definitely had a down year after an MVP-worthy campaign in 2022, but it was nowhere close to all his fault. The offensive coaching staff let him down, altogether, and a crumbling defense didn’t help, either.

It’s not Hurts’ fault the offensive scheme didn’t have hot reads to help offset blitzes from opposing defenses. It’s not Hurts’ fault the scheme was unable to help players offset blitzes, at all. And, it’s not Hurts’ fault Nick Sirianni made questionable decision after questionable decision that played major roles in reported locker room strife.

There’s also Jason Kelce’s retirement, along with the potential departure of D’Andre Swift. Both guys played huge roles in 2023 and one of them is definitely out of the 2024 picture.

Hurts has his own issues to work on. Turnovers, misreads, reaction to blitzes, and ineffective runs hampered his game in 2023. Again, it was a collective effort on the offensive side of the ball, but Hurts was definitely part of the problem.

Ultimately, King’s right: The quarterback shoulders most of the load and is the difference-maker in a win or loss, most times. While Hurts certainly needs to rebound in 2024 – the entire Eagles team does, including the coaching staff.

It’s way too much for one guy to correct, but if anyone can get the Eagles back on the right path – it’s Hurts.

And what about the defense?
The defense was absolutely atrocious during the back half of the season. Combine that with a dysfunctional/lost offense and it’s completely easy to see why the Eagles spiraled like they did.

The unit remains a question in itself, as well. Was 2022 the peak and is Jonathan Gannon a guy that can’t be replaced? Or, was 2023 the regression to the mean and now it’s about rebuilding, in terms of getting back on the same page, and finding an identity for the upcoming season.

And, of course, if the defense can’t resemble an even remotely decent unit, then it’s only going to make things that much harder for Hurts.