NEW ORLEANS — Howie Roseman’s climb to becoming one of the most respected executives in professional sports started as an unpaid summer intern with the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2000.
By 2010, he achieved the remarkable status of the youngest general manager in the NFL at the age of 34, fulfilling a dream that had taken root in his childhood when he meticulously analyzed college players and created fantasy draft boards.
However, his early years were not devoid of challenges, leading to a significant setback in 2015 when he was ousted after a power struggle with then-coach Chip Kelly. The Eagles did not fare well under Kelly’s leadership, and Roseman regained his position a year later after Kelly’s dismissal.
Under Roseman’s guidance, the Eagles made an impressive turnaround, leading to their first-ever Super Bowl title in 2017. Following a disappointing season in 2020, Roseman rebuilt the team once more, and just two years later, the Eagles found themselves back in the Super Bowl, ultimately losing a nail-biting match to the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 38-35.
Now, the Eagles are once again set to face the Chiefs in a rematch this Sunday at the Superdome. Their return to this prestigious stage can be credited to Roseman’s astute decisions last offseason, especially after the team’s dramatic collapse from a strong 10-1 start.
“I honestly believe that the only thing that truly matters is the outcome on Sunday,” Roseman stated earlier this week. “I’m willing to forfeit any personal accolades for the chance to secure another championship.”
Throughout his tenure, Roseman has experienced swings of public opinion, being both heavily criticized and avidly supported by fans. Once viewed in a negative light, Eagles supporters now enthusiastically embrace the offseason as “Howie Season” or #HowieSzn, celebrating his talent in salary cap management and adept player acquisition.
This past offseason was indeed a showcase of his prowess, including the bold move to sign Saquon Barkley from the New York Giants, where he went on to compile a staggering 2,447 yards with several long touchdowns.
Under Roseman’s watchful eye, the Eagles also transformed Zack Baun from a special teams player into an All-Pro linebacker and a finalist for the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Eagles bolstered their secondary by selecting cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round and Cooper DeJean in the second, enhancing one of the league’s top defenses.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni praised Roseman’s contributions, stating, “I have expressed multiple times how commendable a job Howie has done in bringing in these players. It’s about constructing the team and ensuring they continue to develop. We’ve seen the results, with eight new starters on defense, proving to be excellent in 2022 and maintaining that excellence into 2024.”
Past controversies over draft picks like Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson in 2020 or J.J. Arcega-Whiteside over DK Metcalf in 2019 are now distant memories. The selection of DeVonta Smith in 2021 has proven fruitful, and acquiring A.J. Brown has created one of the NFL’s most formidable wide receiver duos.
Arguably, drafting Jalen Hurts in the second round in 2020, even while Carson Wentz was still on the roster, stands out as one of Roseman’s finest picks. He also took a chance on Jordan Mailata, selected in the seventh round in 2018, and who has since blossomed into an elite left tackle.
Despite these achievements, Roseman remains grounded and does not gloat over his successes. He holds no resentment towards fans or media who once called for his dismissal.
“Working in Philadelphia comes with the understanding that public opinion can turn quickly,” Roseman noted. “Humility is essential, and keeping focus on winning is key. I’ve told Nick from the beginning: at the end of the day, winning is all that matters. You can rationalize missteps all you want, but you will ultimately be assessed based on your record and success.”
When presented with a photo of a fan donning a jersey with “Howie” and the number 52, commemorating the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over New England in February 2018, Roseman remarked, “I want to make him proud. One more.”
If the Eagles manage to triumph over the Chiefs, fans might soon begin to refer to Super Bowl week as “Howie Season” in recognition of Roseman’s impactful role in shaping the team’s success.
