Posted January 23, 2018 at 05:30 AM | Updated January 23, 2018 at 05:32 AM
By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Two years ago, the Eagles couldn't have seemed further away from competing in the Super Bowl.
They didn't have a head coach. They didn't have a quarterback. They had turmoil in the front office and major holes on the roster.
Now?
After shocking the world and locking up a spot in Super Bowl LII, the Eagles are now just one game away from hoisting the Lombardi trophy for the first time in franchise history. How did they get there -- and how did it happen so quickly?
Here is a look at how the Eagles got from rock bottom to the top of the NFL.
Chip Kelly
Matt Rourke | AP PHOTO
THE DECISION TO FIRE CHIP KELLY
Former head coach Chip Kelly had more success during his three years with the Eagles than most like to admit, but this current group began their climb to the top when owner Jeffrey Lurie decided to fire Kelly with one game remaining in the 2015 season.
The decision opened the door for major changes in the franchise, changes that Lurie clearly felt the team needed. It was a risky move, considering how much the team had invested in Kelly, but it was one that ended up being the right one.
BRINGING BACK HOWIE ROSEMAN
At the time, the decision to bring back Roseman and let him lead the personnel department was not a popular one. Roseman's first stint managing the roster did not go well, with zero playoff wins and still no answer at quarterback.
Since taking back over the football operations, however, Roseman has turned the team around quickly, due to some smart signings, good draft picks and what ended up being a huge decision at head coach -- one that they almost didn't make.
MISSING OUT ON BEN MCADOO
Make no mistake about it -- the Eagles were very interested in Ben McAdoo, who at the time was the Giants offensive coordinator. After bringing McAdoo for an initial interview, the Eagles' interest in McAdoo only intensified -- but they missed out on him when he took the Giants' head coaching job.
To succeed in the NFL, you need a little bit of luck -- and the Eagles certainly got just that when McAdoo passed on the Eagles.