Ranking the 17 greatest Eagles players ever, from Jalen Hurts to Reggie White

The Philadelphia Eagles just notched their second ring in the Super Bowl era in 2025 to go along with their three total previous championships before the league’s merger with the AFL.

For their entire existence since 1933, they hover around .500, but they have had their fair share of winning successes, thanks to featuring plenty of top football talent over 91 years.

The Sporting News ranks the 18 greatest players in Eagles history, from reigning Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts to late dominant sack artist Reggie White.

Players were ranked based on a points system made up of nine categories. Points from a scale of 1-10 were assigned based on each player’s strength in a particular category and added up for a final score.

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17. Al Wistert (1944-1951)

Accolades: 8 seasons, Pro Bowl, 4-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL champion

Why he made SN’s list: Al Wistert was a stout offensive tackle who also served as captain for the Eagles’ first two championships in the late 1940s. He isn’t in the Hall of Fame, but among pre-merger players, he is one of the biggest snubs for Canton.

Place in Eagles history: Wistert is a nod to when the Eagles first broke through as a title team. He deserved more than an honorable mention and one day, he should get his due in the Hall.

MORE: Most Super Bowl wins in history by player

16. Jalen Hurts (2020-active)

Accolades: 5 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP

Why he made SN’s list: Jalen Hurts has evolved into a franchise QB in a short time with his strong running and downfield passing. He is the face of the Eagles and has emerged as their consistent leader. His playoff punch to back up the “Tush Push” success has placed him with past legends in a hurry.

Place in Eagles history: Hurts may have just scratched the surface of this list with what he’s done in a short time, only being a full-time starter since 2021 and earning two NFC championships and a Super Bowl.

MORE: Where is Jalen Hurts from? Hometown, college and more to know about Eagles QB

15. Mike Quick (1982-1990)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, 3-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN’s list: Mike Quick was a terrific downfield threat at wide receiver with his apt speediness, leading the NFL in both receiving yards (1,409) and TDs (13) in 1983. Over his career, he averaged 17.8 yards per catch, serving as the go-to guy for QBs such as Ron Jaworski and Randall Cunningham.

Place in Eagles history: Quick spent a solid decade with the team as a player before later becoming a beloved color commentator on Eagles broadcasts with the legendary Merrill Reese.

MORE: Complete list of Super MVP winners through the years

14. Pete Pihos (1947-1955)

Accolades: 9 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 6-time first-team All-Pro, 3-time NFL receptions leader, 2-time NFL receiving yards leader, 2-time NFL champion

Why he made SN’s list: Pete Pihos was a game-breaking, pass-catching end who joined offensive tackle Al Wistert in leading the Eagles to their first two titles. Like future legend Chuck Bednarik, Pihos also played two ways, having an interception impact as a defensive back.

Place in Eagles history: The Hall of Famer was a supernova of his day and is worthy of being recognized for his elite versatile playmaking as much as his receiving.

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13. Jason Peters (2009-2020)

Jerry Habraken/USA TODAY NETWORK

Accolades: 12 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Jason Peters, a converted tight end, brought incredible athleticism to left tackle. He started out as an undrafted Bills rising star, but a contract impasse brought him to the Eagles, where he starred as an athletic rock for more than a decade, spanning the blocking transitions for Donovan McNabb through Jalen Hurts.

Place in Eagles history: Peters is yet another indication of how strong the Eagles’ modern offensive line has been, right up at the top of the league in most seasons. Between his work in Buffalo and Philadelphia, a call to the Hall should be ahead.

MORE: Jason Peters sounds off on Eagles-Cowboys rivalry

12. Eric Allen (1988-1994)

Accolades: 7 seasons, 5 Pro Bowls, one-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN’s list: Eric Allen was a Hall of Fame cornerback, making him a steal of a second-rounder out of Arizona State. His 34 interceptions for Philadelphia is the most in franchise history.

Place in Eagles history: Allen was the key defensive back during the Buddy Ryan defensive heyday where the team dominated up front with pressure. He also stayed present with his time as an ESPN NFL analyst.

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11. Lane Johnson (2013-active)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, 2-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Through his 158 regular-season starts and steady all-around blocking from right tackle, Lane Johnson has been a key part of the Eagles’ consistent offensive line domination right along with center Jason Kelce and several others at tackle and guard. His rock performances leave him with a good shot to end up in the Hall of Fame.

Place in Eagles history: Kelce may have overshadowed Johnson overall with his performance and personality, but Johnson was just as key to lifting the Lombardi Trophy twice and counting.

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10. Brian Westbrook (2002-2009)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 2 Pro Bowls, one-time first-team All-Pro

Why he made SN’s list: The third-round sensation from nearby Villanova didn’t need a long time in Philadelphia to make a massive impact in the prime seasons of Andy Reid’s offense as one of the most dynamic pass-catching running backs to ever play. When healthy at 5-foot-10, 203 pounds, Brian Westbrook was a nightmare scrimmage producer most dangerous in open field.

Place in Eagles history: Durability and longevity aside, Westbrook did plenty as a unique offensive weapon to remain a subject of endearment in the modern Eagles’ explosive attack that has lasted as an homage to Reid.

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9. Randall Cunningham (1986-1995)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, one-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year, one-time NFL passer rating leader

Why he made SN’s list: Before there were Michael Vick and Jalen Hurts doing their dazzling dynamic dual threat thing for Philadelphia, Randall Cunningham captured the imaginations of Eagles fans with his rushing-forward play backed by an arm that could fling it anywhere downfield. He put up some superstar stats that suggest he plays in the modern era, not the 1980s.

Place in Eagles history: Cunningham isn’t the best QB to ever play in Philadelphia, but long before Hurts was turning into what he is now, Cunningham was the most exciting.

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8. Harold Carmichael (1971-1983)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 4 Pro Bowls, one-time NFL receptions and receiving yards leader, NFL Man of the Year

Why he made SN’s list: Harold Carmichael remains the Eagles’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs, despite all the stars who have come through town, from Cris Carter to Terrell Owens to A.J. Brown. He is most known for being a mega target at 6-foot-8, 255 pounds and dominating with his size and speed. He averaged 15.2 yards per catch while being a strong intermediate option, too.

Place in Eagles history: Carmichael is the team’s most beloved pass catcher, past or present by fans, former players and pundits alike. He deserved such huge reward as such a big-time wideout and tight end.

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7. Donovan McNabb (1999-2009)

Accolades: 11 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls

Why he made SN’s list: Donovan McNabb secured the quarterback position for a decade as a high first-round pick (No. 2 overall) out of Syracuse to lead Andy Reid’s offense. Sometimes spectacular, he stabilized the franchise with smart, system-based pocket passing while also possessing the right dash of athletic improvisation. The Eagles won plenty with him starting, including several playoff games and an NFC championship.

Place in Eagles history: McNabb is the team’s easy all-time leader in passing completions, yardage and TDs and remains a little under-appreciated in and out of Philadelphia for his steady contributions.

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6. Fletcher Cox (2012-2023)

Accolades: 12 seasons, 6 Pro Bowls, one-time first-team All-Pro, one-time Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Fletcher Cox was a devastating defensive tackle linchpin through several successful schemes. The 70 sacks and consistent play vs. the run made him live up to being the No. 12 overall selection out of Ole Miss in 2012.

Place in Eagles history: Cox is definitely the modern-era, intimidating stalwart, the best interior defender for Philadelphia and he’s second to only the late great Reggie White among franchise defensive linemen.

MORE: Fletcher Cox announces retirement in heartfelt Instagram post

5. Steve Van Buren (1944-1951)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 5-time first-team All-Pro, 4-time NFL rushing yardage leader, 4-time NFL rushing TD leader, 2-time NFL champion.

Why he made SN’s list: Steve Van Buren, a former LSU star drafted No. 5 overall in 1944, formed the key offensive trio on the team’s first two NFL title teams with tackle Al Wistert and end Pete Pihos. He was prolific and explosive ahead of his time in blowing past defenders.

Place in Eagles history: Van Buren was one of the most dangerous backs ever with his open-field burst, which also translated to him being a great return man. He could carry an offense on its back and save his best for crunch time, adding up to a top-five honor.

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4. Brian Dawkins (1996-2008)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 4-time first-team all-Pro, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Brian Dawkins, a safety drafted in the second round out of Clemson, was the defensive leader in the aggressive schemes of venerable coordinator Jim Johnson. Nicknamed “Weapon X” in a nod to Wolverine, Dawkins did everything needed with passion to win games, from cleaning up as a tackler to making big plays in coverage

Place in Eagles history: Dawkins stands out as the franchise’s best pure defensive player and since then, the Eagles have maintained their tradition of infusing big impact in the secondary.

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3. Jason Kelce (2011-2023)

Accolades: 13 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 6-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl champion

Why he made SN’s list: Jason Kelce, like defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, fell one season short of winning his second ring with the Eagles, but also like Cox, he was an athletic, dominant mainstay in the middle of consistently strong front. Although playing center got him overshadowed outside of Philly for a while by younger brother Travis Kelce, Jason reached “New Heights” of national popularity with their family podcast.

Place in Eagles history: Kelce stands out now as the best modern-era Eagle and should end up being fast-tracked to the Hall of Fame for being the game’s best center for almost a decade.

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2. Chuck Bednarik (1949-1962)

Accolades: 14 seasons, 8 Pro Bowls, 10-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time NFL champion

Why he made SN’s list: “Concrete Charlie” was an apt nickname for this imposing ironman, who grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and went to Penn, stamping himself early as a Philadelphia legend. When Chuck Bednarik wasn’t smacking around opponents at linebacker, he was busy moving them out of the way at center as the NFL’s most successful two-way player.

Place in Eagles history: Bednarik was a hardnosed epitome of Philly toughness and the anchor of championship teams in two decades. He continues to have throwback appeal with the high standard he set on and off the field, including college’s ultimate individual defensive prize being named after him.

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1. Reggie White (1985-1992)

Accolades: 8 seasons, 7 Pro Bowls, 6-time first-team All-Pro, one-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, two-time NFL sacks leader

Why he made SN’s list: Reggie White ended up with 198 sacks from defensive end, second all-time officially only to Bills legend and fellow Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. Even with a shorter time in Philadelphia and with him also having an elite career in Green Bay, White, who passed away at only 43 shortly after his playing days ended, is fondly remembered as the NFL’s preeminent dominant force from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s.

Place in Eagles history: White was the best player on the Buddy Ryan “46” defense that included cornerback Eric Allen, linebacker Seth Joyner, end Clyde Simmons and tackle Jerome Brown. His production as “The Minister of the Defense” still evokes scary memories for a lot of quarterbacks who played against him in Philadelphia or Green Bay.

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