2011 Philadelphia Eagles season
The 2011 season was the Philadelphia Eagles' 79th in the National Football League and their 13th under head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles had high hopes of competing for a Super Bowl after key offseason acquisitions, with backup quarterback Vince Young calling the roster a "dream team" – but they failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 2010 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2007. However, they did win their last four games, in an attempt to pull out a miracle playoff berth, finishing 8–8, only one game behind the divisional winners and eventual Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. They also swept the [2011 2011 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys] and [2011 2011 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins] for the first time since 2006 and 2009, respectively. The Eagles played all their home games at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Until 2024, this would be the last season that the Eagles swept the Dallas Cowboys.
Offseason
Personnel changes
On January 15, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was fired. Defensive line coach Rory Segrest was fired on January 16. Former Tennessee Titans' defensive line coach Jim Washburn was hired to the same position by the Eagles' on January 19. Special teams quality control coach Jeff Nixon was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their running backs coach on January 20. Defensive backs coach and senior assistant Dick Jauron was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their new defensive coordinator on January 21. On January 25, linebackers coach Bill Shuey, who served on the Eagles' coaching staff for the past ten seasons, was let go after his contract was not renewed. On February 2, Juan Castillo, who served as the team's offensive line coach since 1998, was named the new defensive coordinator. That same day, Howard Mudd was hired as the new offensive line coach. Quarterback Coach James Urban left to take a job as the Wide Receiver Coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.Roster changes
The Eagles made several high-profile additions in the offseason, including Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Nnamdi Asomugha, Vince Young, Ronnie Brown, Evan Mathis, Steve Smith from the rival New York Giants, and Jason Babin. With the numerous signings in addition to the previous years' players, Young later enthusiastically commented during a training camp interview, calling the 2011 Eagles a "dream team".Player selections
| Rd | Pick | Player | Pos | School | Signed | Notes |
| 1 | 23 | Danny Watkins | Guard | Baylor | – | |
| 2 | 54 | Jaiquawn Jarrett | Safety | Temple | – | |
| 3 | 90 | Curtis Marsh | Cornerback | Utah State | – | |
| 4 | 116 | Casey Matthews | Linebacker | Oregon | – | |
| 4 | 120 | Alex Henery | Kicker | Nebraska | – | |
| 5 | 149 | Dion Lewis | Running back | Pittsburgh | – | |
| 5 | 161 | Julian Vandervelde | Guard | Iowa | – | |
| 6 | 191 | Jason Kelce | Center | Cincinnati | – | |
| 6 | 193 | Brian Rolle | Linebacker | Ohio State | – | |
| 7 | 237 | Greg Lloyd, Jr. | Linebacker | Connecticut | – | |
| 7 | 240 | Stanley Havili | Fullback | USC | – |
Preseason
Schedule
The Eagles' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
| 1 | Baltimore Ravens | W 13–6 | 1–0 | Lincoln Financial Field | ||
| 2 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 14–24 | 1–1 | Heinz Field | ||
| 3 | Cleveland Browns | W 24–14 | 2–1 | Lincoln Financial Field | ||
| 4 | at New York Jets | W 24–14 | 3–1 | MetLife Stadium |
Roster changes
Signings
On July 29, the Eagles signed quarterback Vince Young, one day after he was released by the Tennessee Titans. That same day, the Eagles also signed former Oakland Raiders' cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha to a five-year contract.Trades
On July 28, quarterback Kevin Kolb was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round draft selection. On August 1, defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2013 draft selection.Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.Game summaries
Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears
Coming off their divisional win over the Cowboys, the Eagles stayed at home for a Week 9 Monday night duel with the Chicago Bears. Philadelphia trailed early in the first quarter as Bears quarterback Jay Cutler completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Matt Spaeth. Chicago would add onto their lead in the second quarter as kicker Robbie Gould booted a 51-yard field goal. The Eagles answered with a 47-yard field goal from rookie kicker Alex Henery. followed by rookie linebacker Brian Rolle returning a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown, but the Bears would close out the half with running back Marion Barber getting a 2-yard touchdown run.Philadelphia took the lead the third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run from running back Ronnie Brown, followed by a 33-yard touchdown run from running back LeSean McCoy. Chicago replied with Gould making a 38-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Bears retook the lead with Cutler completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Earl Bennett, followed by Gould getting a 22-yard field goal. The Eagles tried to rally, including an unsuccessful fake punt by Chas Henry, but Chicago's defense held on to preserve the win.
With the loss, Philadelphia fell to 3–5.