Who are the 10 best Eagles players of all-time? A ranked list

Who are the 10 best Eagles players of all-time? A ranked list

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 21, 2023 at 7:58 AM

The Philadelphia Eagles have a storied history in the NFL, with many talented players who have donned the green and white colours over the years. They have had their fair share of all-time greats, from legendary quarterbacks to dominant defensive players. Let us look at the best Eagles players of all time, highlighting their contributions to the team's success and impact on American football.

Best eagles' players this season
NFC quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, January 31, 2010. Photo: Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald
Source: Getty Images

Yet the franchise's success did not begin in the last ten years. It is a custom that extends back to Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s and 2010s and NFL victories in the 1940s. The top 10 Eagles players of all time are listed below.

10. Tommy McDonald (Wide Receiver)

Top 10 best eagles players
Philadelphia Eagles Tommy McDonald (25) in action vs New York Giants. Photo: Hy Peskin
Source: Getty Images

Tommy McDonald is one of the most explosive and exciting wide receivers in the club's history and one of the most dynamic players of his era. He played for the club from 1957 to 1963, earning six Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro selections. McDonald was known for his speed and ability to make big plays, finishing his career with 8,410 receiving yards and 84 touchdown receptions.

He was a vital member of the team's championship in 1960, catching a touchdown pass in the team's 17-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship Game. McDonald was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 and remained one of the most popular and beloved players in the club's history.

9. Troy Vincent (Cornerback)

Best Eagles players of all time
Redskins defensive back Troy Vincent sits on the bench during the game at FedEx Field on Saturday, December 30, 2006. Photo: Toni L. Sandys
Source: Getty Images

Troy Vincent is one of the best cornerbacks in the club's history and one of his era's most productive defensive backs. He played for the Eagles from 1996 to 2003, earning five Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro selections. Vincent was a ballhawk who intercepted 28 passes and defended 126 passes during his team's tenure. He was also known for his physicality and ability to play outside and in the slot.

He helped lead the club to four consecutive playoff appearances from 2000 to 2003 and was a vital member of the team's dominant defence. Vincent was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 and remains one of the most respected and beloved in team history. He is one of the best Eagles players of the 2000s.

8. Charlie Bednarik (Center/LB)

Best eagles players 2023
American football player Chuck Bednarik (#60) of the Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants during a game in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Photo: Robert Riger
Source: Getty Images

Charlie Bednarik is one of the most iconic players in the club's history and one of the greatest two-way players in NFL history. He represented the club from 1949 to 1962 as a centre on offence and a linebacker on defence. Bednarik was known for his toughness and durability, famously playing all 60 minutes of the 1960 NFL Championship Game, which the club won over Green Bay.

Bednarik was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a two-time NFL champion with the club. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, and his number 60 was retired by the club in 1987.

7. Harold Carmichael (Wide Receiver)

Best eagles players now
Harold Carmichael during the NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles on October 21, 2018, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Photo: John Jones
Source: Getty Images

Harold Carmichael is one of the most excellent wide receivers in the team's history and one of the most productive players in NFL history. He represented the club from 1971 to 1983, earning four Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro selection. Carmichael set numerous team records, including career receptions (589), receiving yards (8,978), and touchdown receptions (79).

He was a dominant force in the red zone, using his size and athleticism to make difficult catches and out-muscle defenders for touchdowns. Carmichael was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1987, and his number 17 was retired by the team in 2020.

6. Randall Cunningham (Quarterback)

Best Eagles' players of the 2000s
Quarterback Randall Cunningham #12 of the Philadelphia Eagles during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 16, 1988, in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: George Gojkovich
Source: Getty Images

Randall Cunningham is one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the club's history, known for his incredible athleticism and ability to make plays with his arm and legs. He represented the club from 1985 to 1995, earning four Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro selections.

Cunningham set numerous team records, including career passing yards (22,877) and touchdown passes (150), and he also rushed for 4,482 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was one of the most electrifying quarterbacks of his era and helped to revolutionise the quarterback position with his ability to extend and make plays on the run. Cunningham was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 1999, and he remains popular in team history.

5. Steve Van Buren (Running Back)

Steve Van Buren is one of the most iconic players in the Eagles' history and one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. He represented the team from 1944 to 1951, helping the team win two NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949. Van Buren was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection and a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

Steve Van Buren
Steve Van Buren. Photo: Bettmann
Source: Getty Images

He led the league in rushing four times and finished his career with 5,860 running yards and 69 rushing touchdowns, both of which were NFL records at the time of his retirement. Van Buren was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965, and his number 15 was retired by the club in 1985.

4. Donovan McNabb (Quarterback)

Best Eagles' players this year
Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on November 12, 2000, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo: George Gojkovich
Source: Getty Images

Donovan McNabb is one of the best quarterbacks in the Eagles' history and one of the most successful players in franchise history. He represented the team from 1999 to 2009, leading the team to five NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance in 2004. McNabb was a six-time Pro Bowl selection named to the All-Pro team once during his club's career.

He set numerous franchise records, including career passing yards (32,873) and touchdown passes (216), and he was known for his ability to make plays with his arm and legs. McNabb was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2013 and is considered one of the greatest players in team history.

3. Chuck Bednarik (Linebacker/Center)

Best Eagles' players current
Chuck Bednarik during the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles game on September 23, 2007, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Drew Hallowell
Source: Getty Images

Chuck Bednarik is one of the most legendary players in the team's history and one of the greatest two-way players in NFL history. He represented the Eagles from 1949 to 1962 as a centre on offence and a linebacker on defence. Bednarik was known for his toughness and durability, famously playing all 60 minutes of the 1960 NFL Championship Game, which the team won over Green Bay.

Bednarik was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and was a two-time NFL champion with the club. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, and his number 60 was retired by the club in 1987.

2. Brian Dawkins (Safety)

Best Eagles' players Super Bowl
Brian Dawkins, #20 of the Philadelphia Eagles, looks on during the NFL game against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on November 18, 2007, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Al Bello
Source: Getty Images

Brian Dawkins is one of the most beloved players in Eagles' history, known for his intensity, leadership, and hard-hitting play. He represented the club from 1996 to 2008 and was named to the Pro Bowl nine times during his career, including seven times as an Eagles member.

Dawkins was a versatile player who could play both safety positions, and he was equally effective in run support and pass defence. He finished his career with 34 interceptions, 21 forced fumbles, and 21 sacks, making him one of team history's most impactful defensive players. Dawkins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018, and his number 20 was retired by the team in 2012.

1. Reggie White (Defensive End)

Best Eagles' players of all time
Defensive lineman Reggie White #92 of the Philadelphia Eagles during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on October 16, 1988, in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: George Gojkovich
Source: Getty Images

Reggie White is regarded as one of the best defensive ends in NFL history and among the best players in Philadelphia Eagles history. He played for the Eagles from 1985 to 1992, earning seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections and two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards during his time with the team.

White was a dominant force on the Eagles' defence, recording 124 sacks and 18 forced fumbles in his eight seasons with the team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, and his number 92 was retired by the Eagles in 2005. Reggie is the best Eagles player of all time.

Who is the best player in the Eagles 2023?

Best Eagles' players this season
James Bradberry of the Philadelphia Eagles speaks to the media during the Philadelphia Eagles' media availability before Super Bowl LVII on February 08, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Rob Carr
Source: Getty Images

CB James Bradberry (Eagles) Bradberry is the top free agent playing in this game and the top cornerback available this offseason. He leads the league in passer rating allowed this season (41.5, regular season and postseason), while opposing quarterbacks have completed just 44.4% of their passes targeting him.

Best Eagles players this season

The Philadelphia Eagles finished the 2022-2023 regular season with a 14-3 record. After earning the No. 1 seed in the league, the Birds are just days away from their first playoff game. This season, the current team is filled with immense talent, and though it is challenging to choose a handful of the best players. These top-five best Eagles players now certainly made waves:

  • Jalen Hurts, Quarterback
  • Lane Johnson, Right Tackle
  • Haason Reddick, Outside Linebacker
  • A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver
  • Jason Kelce, Center

Who was the best player in the Super Bowl 2023?

Hurts' performance against the Chiefs is unquestionably the best performance in a Super Bowl by a losing member. He became the first-ever regular season or playoffs to throw for 300 passing yards and run for 70 yards and three touchdowns in a game.

The Philadelphia Eagles have a rich history of standout players contributing to the team's success. The Eagles have had many talented players throughout their history, and this list represents just a few of the best Eagles players ever to don the green and white.

READ ALSO: Who is Wout Weghorst, Manchester United's new signing? Age, height, and stats

Sports Brief featured Manchester United's new number nine, Wout Weghorst of the Netherlands. The tall striker joined United to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Wout made mad airwaves in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. His height is perfect for a striker, making him a force to reckon with in the air. Check out the link above for all details about the new striker!

Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.