The defending Super Bowl champion always has a target on its back, but Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert thinks his team is riding a wave of momentum that he’s hoping can take the Eagles deep into the NFL playoffs once again.
The Eagles sport an 11-6 mark and are the third seed in the National Football Conference. They will open the postseason by hosting the sixth-seeded San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Goedert, a Britton-Hecla and South Dakota State University graduate, is playing his eighth year in the NFL and has put together one of his best seasons, thanks in part to being healthy for 16 of the team’s 17 games. He now holds the franchise season record for touchdown passes caught by a tight end with 11, breaking the mark held for 60 years by fellow South Dakota State University player and Ellendale, ND, native Pete Retzlaff with 10. He also had a career-best 60 receptions this year for 591 yards.
Eyeing the Postseason
“I think we’re peaking at the right time,” said Goedert. “The most important thing is finding a way to win early in the season and then playing your best football in January and February, and we’re playing really good football now and I think we will continue to ride the momentum we have.”
The Eagles did experience a three-game slide in late November and early December but rallied with three straight victories before dropping the regular season finale when starters were rested in preparation for the playoffs.
“When you lose two or three in a row in this league it’s easy to get down,” said Goedert. “But that’s something we never did which we’re proud of as a team. We were able to come into work and find solutions.”
Goedert admitted that being the defending champion has its challenges, but it also has its perks.
“During the season if you get a chance to play the team that won the year before, they are on the mountain and you want to take them off,” said Goedert. “It kind of felt like that for us all year and I’m sure it will be amplified going into the playoffs. I think we have the potential and capability to do it again but we know teams will be looking to take us out. We just have to use that as motivation.”
Goedert points to the fact that the Eagles were in the Super Bowl in 2023 (losing 38-35 to the Chiefs) and beat Kansas City 40-22 a year ago as advantages for his club.
“We know what it takes to get to the top and know what it feels like, and for me to both win and lose the big game is a big motivator. Those games were two of the most fun I’ve ever played. You want those moments and will do anything to get back to it. As a team we are really hungry, want to get back, and know what it takes to get there. When it comes to the postseason your playmakers have to make plays, and we have plenty of playmakers to be able to do that. And Tom Brady, who won seven Super Bowl titles, would always say his favorite ring was the next one.”
Seasoned Veteran
The Eagles tight end will be wrapping up his eighth year in the league and his role has changed with age.
“I’m starting to be an older person on the team and rather than looking up asking for advice I feel like more people are coming to me in those situations. Switching roles from a young guy to an old guy is always an interesting thing but it’s been a lot of fun.”
His statistics point to the fact that he has also led by example.
“Obviously, staying healthy this year has had a big impact, and the success I’ve been able to enjoy in the red zone has been a ton of fun,” noted Goedert. “My 11 TD receptions have been double of any other year and that’s been very cool. Our quarterback “tush push” hasn’t been working as well this year and early in the season we ran some plays off of it that that worked and we have continued to expand on that.”
Goedert’s success this year has also come at an opportune time since he will become a free agent at the end of the current season. But he admits he hasn’t really thought much about the future.
“The first time I was asked about it was in training camp and I hadn’t really thought about the fact that it could be my last Eagles’ camp. Then a couple of weeks ago I was asked again and had not really thought any more about it. With the average NFL career only three years I guess I just dream to play 10 years and see what happens after that. I have been blessed with a great career and right now am just focused on the task at hand and helping the team win.”
Into The Future
If he could control his own destiny, Goedert would like to stay in Philadelphia.
“Hopefully we can get something worked out where I can stay in Philly. Once you have a long career here the city gets to like you, I’ve spent a lot of time and life here, and I would love to stay. Whether or not it works out that way is up in the air, but if I could snap my fingers and make it happen I would definitely stay here. I have a lot of love for a lot of people on the team and in the building, but if it doesn’t work out I’m excited to see where life takes me next.”
But right now Goedert’s total focus is helping his team make another Super Bowl run.
“What I’m most proud of this year is just being a tight end in the NFL,” concluded Goedert. “I’m not worrying about what the future holds and just enjoying being out there and having a good time with the guys. This year the Eagles won their first back-to-back conference championships in 21 years and being able to have that success with good friends and people you care about has been a blast. Now we’re looking forward to carrying that momentum into the playoffs.”
