Not every team or coach in college or the NFL relies on motion before the snap, even though it carries obvious advantages. The Eagles have been one of the few teams to have all the pieces to use the concept successfully, but have shied away over the last season. The question we simply need to answer is 'why?'
First and foremost, it makes play-calling and execution easier. Motion adds the complexity of real-time shifts, and some teams prefer to simplify the scheme to make it more repeatable. For better or worse, we have seen this in Philadelphia for years.
The belief is that there are fewer communication errors and penalties when the offense doesn’t use motion frequently. They are trying to avoid players not being set properly, releasing, and crossing the line of scrimmage early, etc. In short, they are trying to minimize mistakes.
The Eagles' offensive philosophy also plays a large role. Teams that use a power-run game do not believe motion is needed to create the leverage they rely on in the run or for hitting on quick passes (hitch routes) in the passing game. They are dependent on strong offensive line play, which the Eagles have had for years. When they are not as good, you have what we saw in 2025.
An offensive coach also told me that using motion slowed their offense's tempo and that having snap-to-snap rhythm was more important than being less predictable.
While limiting motion can simplify execution and reduce mistakes, it comes with trade-offs, as every Eagles fan has seen. Philadelphia has seen the high of highs, winning a Super Bowl, and the agony of watching a predictable, beatable formation and repetition.
Offenses that rarely use motion sacrifice pre-snap reads, misdirection, and matchup flexibility, which, in turn, makes them far more predictable. On the other hand, if the offense executes its style of play properly and has the athletes to make it work, it can lead to a dominance that nobody can stop, even when they know what's coming.
I believe there needs to be a balance, and history shows that most successful offenses use one. Motion can be used without overcomplicating the offense for players if taught properly, and they are willing and able to learn.
As always, thank you for reading!
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