The Philadelphia Eagles left Washington with a win Saturday night, but they did not leave without concerns.
Even in a 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders, one issue refused to fade into the background, as Jake Elliott‘s performance became impossible to ignore.
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For much of the first half, Elliott struggled to find his rhythm. He missed two field goal attempts outright, leaving valuable points on the field in a game that initially felt far closer than the final score would suggest.
Later, he pushed another kick wide, though that miss was erased by an offsides penalty on Washington. The flag wiped it from the stat sheet, but not from the collective memory.
The conversation gained more traction once former NFL linebacker and current analyst Emmanuel Acho weighed in publicly. In a post on X, Acho acknowledged Elliott‘s body of work but questioned whether his future remains tied to Philadelphia.
“I like Jake Elliott a LOT, A LOT. I don’t see him being an Eagle next year,” Acho wrote.
Trust built over years now under scrutiny
That comment lands differently when placed alongside Elliott’s history with the Philadelphia Eagles. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Elliott quickly established himself as one of the more dependable kickers in the league.
His leg strength and calm demeanor became assets Philadelphia leaned on, especially during high pressure moments.
The organization reaffirmed that trust in March 2024, signing Elliott to a four-year extension worth $24 million. It was not just a financial commitment, but a statement that the team viewed him as a long-term answer at a volatile position.
Across nine seasons, Elliott has played in 144 games and converted 213 of his 253 field goal attempts. For most of his career, consistency was his calling card. Misses happened, but they rarely came in clusters.
That is what makes the recent stretch noticeable. Elliott has now missed at least one field goal in each of the past three games. Before Saturday’s win over the Washington Commanders, he had converted 17 of his 22 attempts on the season. Those numbers are not alarming in isolation, but they stand out against the standard Elliott set for himself over the years.
Philadelphia’s margin for error narrows as the calendar turns. In games decided by a single score, a missed kick can swing momentum or alter strategy. Even when the team wins, lingering questions remain if opportunities are repeatedly left unused.
