For this ranking, I am focusing solely on the Super Bowl era (1966-present) and combining greatness, impact, longevity, accolades, and their meaning to the franchise.
My Eagles top 12:
Honorable Mention, Jerome Brown
The only reason he is not on the list of 12 is his untimely death and his having played only five seasons. A two-time first-team All-Pro and one of the most disruptive players in Eagles history. A true Philadelphia legend, despite his career being tragically cut short.
The Best of the Best
12. Seth Joyner
Seth was the heart of the Buddy Ryan defenses and had the versatility to rush the passer, drop into coverage, and stop the run. Joyner has been snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame to this point, but should eventually get his yellow jacket and place in Canton. His tenacious attitude, holding others accountable, and blunt openness have rubbed some voters and the media the wrong way, but these traits are also what fueled the ‘46’ defense and much of its success.
11. Jason Peters
One of the greatest left tackles of his era, if not the best. Peters anchored the Eagles line for over a decade, displaying elite athleticism and toughness. Acquiring the future Hall of Famer is one of the best trades in the Eagles' history. A six-time All-Pro, a 9x Pro Bowler, and an All-2010s decade team member being listed at this stage on the list tells you everything you need to know about how much greatness follows.
10. Randall Cunningham
One of the most electrifying players the NFL has ever seen, Cunningham revolutionized the quarterback position with his arm and athleticism. The ‘Ultimate Weapon’ carried the franchise through a transformative period and helped define Eagles football in the late 1980s and early 1990s while becoming one of the most exciting players in NFL history. His impact lingers throughout the Eagles and the NFL today. Had he won more than a single playoff game during his tenure, he could have been in the top-4. His talent at the time was unrivaled among QBs.
9. Fletcher Cox
A cornerstone of the Eagles' defense for over a decade, Cox combined power, consistency, and game-changing ability from the interior. Fletch was the dominant force in the middle of Philadelphia’s defense, earning multiple All-Pro selections and helping lead the franchise to its first Super Bowl championship. Few defensive tackles in NFL history combined his ability to disrupt both the run and pass game at such a consistently elite level.
8. Donovan McNabb
A polarizing inclusion, but his impact is not debatable. The winningest QB in franchise history, for now, and he led the Eagles to five NFC Championship games. The first five seasons of his Eagles career were magical, and the last six were met with injuries, hardships, and an eventual trade to a division rival. I gave him the nod over Randall because of the successes mentioned. Both QBs leaned on great defenses, but McNabb had more moments and a Super Bowl appearance.
7. Harold Carmichael
A Hall of Fame receiver whose size, hands, and production made him one of the most dominant pass catchers of his era. I think he is underrated, even by me, and for years I debated with anyone who was up for it about his inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Carmichael was the centerpiece of the Eagles’ passing attack throughout the 1970s and helped lead Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl appearance. His longevity, impact, and status as one of the most dominant receivers of his generation make him a franchise all-time legend.
6. Brandon Graham
B.G. is the man who made the most important defensive play in Eagles history, against the best QB in NFL history, to help secure victory for Philadelphia’s first Super Bowl. Graham embodies resilience, leadership, and championship football. One could argue he should be lower, but that strip sack that led to the city’s first Lombardi and magical parade gives him the bump. His longevity, durability, mentorship, and positive attitude have long defined the Philadelphia Eagles’ philosophy of building through character.
5. Jason Kelce
I would guess he is on most fans' top-4 lists, but someone had to be the odd man out, and Kelce is mine. The emotional leader of one of the best eras of Eagles football. Jason combined elite play, durability, and leadership in a way unlike any center in franchise history. Kelce’s athleticism and intelligence revolutionized the center position, earning him multiple All-Pro selections and widespread recognition as one of the best to ever play the game. His impact on the field, in the locker room, and throughout the city makes him a cornerstone of Eagles history. His parade speech will be watched for generations.
4. Eric Allen
The fourth spot, and the first to be enshrined on the mountain, was my most debated, amongst myself. I leaned into Eric, possibly due to my love of the cornerback position more than any other, also him being my favorite player as a child, a recent Hall of Famer, and maybe I slightly undervalue Kelce more than I should due to the fact that the Birds won a Super Bowl with Cam Jurgens playing the position a year later. Whatever the reason, Eric is worthy of being on Rushmore.
Allen was a shutdown corner and playmaker who led the original ‘No Fly Zone’ for Philadelphia’s defense. He defined what elite CB play is in an era loaded with Hall of Fame corners.
During his first 7 seasons with the Eagles, Eric had 34 interceptions in 110 games. He averaged a turnover every 3 games. Just an unbelievable accomplishment.
During his NFL career, Allen was a six-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro, and a human highlight reel. NFL Films’ Steve Sabol stated that Allen’s 94-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Jets (thrown by Boomer Esiason) was the Greatest Interception return in NFL history.
3. Lane Johnson
The gold standard at right tackle has been a cornerstone of two Super Bowl championship teams and one of the best linemen in football. He defined the importance of the right tackle position, and few players in franchise history have maintained Lane Johnson’s level of play for so long. If you look at the Eagles' record with and without him in the game, it is a no-brainer for him to be on the mountaintop. His résumé is synonymous with winning.
He protected multiple eras of quarterbacks, engineered elite trench play that fueled deep playoff runs, and has been the steady piece that allows the offense to function at a high level. His combination of size, quickness, and balance has made him one of the hardest offensive linemen in football to beat in pass protection. And he has been on an island for much of his career.
Johnson has also elevated his game in the biggest moments, and as his career progressed. He is one of the only players who was elite in their 20s and somehow improved their game even more in their 30s.
The top two were very difficult to determine the order of. This likely comes down to what generation you grew up in.
2. Brian Dawkins
The ultimate Eagle. Dawkins brought Hall of Fame talent, unmatched passion, and a relentless style that made him the face of the franchise for more than a decade. Wolverine embodied everything the franchise stands for: toughness, leadership, passion, and elite play. B-Dawk was the emotional heartbeat of the Eagles and one of the NFL’s most feared defenders. Another franchise player whose impact went far beyond statistics.
He consistently elevated the players around him and helped lead Philadelphia through one of the most successful eras in franchise history. His Hall of Fame career, iconic moments, and connection with Eagles fans make him one of the most beloved and important players in the organization's history.
1. Reggie White
Re-ggieeeee was one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. He terrorized quarterbacks and defined what it meant to be an edge rusher during his NFL career.
White was a consistent game-wrecker with elite power, speed, and technique. He was the centerpiece of the “Gang Green” defense and set a standard for edge rushers that still gets referenced today. Offensive coordinators had to change how they attacked a defense when they were on the other side. If you ever left him one-on-one, he would make you pay.
Reggie totaled 124 sacks in 121 games with Philadelphia, which remains one of the greatest stretches by any defender in NFL history.
The Minister of Defense left this Earth far too soon, but his legacy and love live on. If you saw Reggie in the 80s and 90s, you know he is one of the best players not only in Eagles history, but in NFL history.
Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy were very difficult to leave off the list. I just couldn't figure out which players to omit so they could be added.
Who would you have on the list that I did not?
Which other current Eagles do you believe will find their way to the top 12?
Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean all have the talent to make a case; they need the longevity and production to make it a reality.
As always, thank you for reading!
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