After a loss on Monday night dropped the Eagles to 5-6, likely crushing their playoff hopes in the process, head coach Doug Pederson talked about using the final five games as an evaluation of the direction in which the franchise is heading.
It sure sounded a little like Pederson and the Eagles' front office are already looking ahead to next year, even if the team isn't mathematically eliminated from contention just yet. Based on Malcolm Jenkins' reaction, it's not a viewpoint shared by many players in the locker room.
As far as whether 2016 — or the rest of it at least — is being treated as a rebuilding year, Jenkins leaves that up to vice president of football operations Howie Roseman. The eighth-year veteran still has a singular goal.
"I'm not here to rebuild," Jenkins said. "That's Howie's job.
"We're here to play and win. Everybody in this building is paid and compensated, not to just occupy a seat, but to win. Our mindset is that we're trying to win with the guys that we have here, that we have in the building right now.
"We'll let the people upstairs figure out if we're building or what what we're doing from past this time."
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Despite any appearance that Pederson or the organization is waving the white flag on this season, Jenkins doesn't believe that's the case, either, whether that means the players, coaching staff or the front office.
"I think we're fully committed until we're completely out of it," Jenkins said. "We're giving everything we've got to push to the postseason. Obviously, we know we have to win and probably need a little bit of help, but we still have a shot, so right now all our resources and time are being put into winning."
Following Monday's loss to the Packers, Jenkins shared Pederson's postgame comments with the team, which indicated the final five games would show who is truly committed to the Eagles.
While that message could certainly be construed as giving up on this season and beginning to look ahead to next, there's been a lot of talk as well from Pederson and players about "staying the course." Jenkins felt what was said in the locker room after a loss was simply a reflection of the mood in that moment.
"A lot of that was obviously after a lot of frustration directly after a game, so there was a lot more of a positive note (this week)," Jenkins said.
"Just talking about having fun, paying attention to details, understanding that the formula is simple and that's win, and then just kind of detailing throughout the week how we go about doing that."
That being said, Pederson's words undoubtedly did get some people to take a close look in the mirror.
"It's one of those things where everybody had an opportunity to take a critical look at themselves and what they bring to the team, what their role is on the team," Jenkins said.
While Jenkins may want nothing to do with rebuilding, he also understands that in the NFL, everybody is constantly under evaluation. Nobody is giving up on this season yet, but the harsh reality is everybody's future with the Eagles, from the practice squad to Roseman, is on the line every day.
The playoffs are a long shot, but that alone is going to keep players working hard and doing whatever it takes. That will show who will be sticking around for next year and beyond — and who knows, with a little luck, maybe help the Eagles sneak into the playoffs this season.
"Every time you step into the building, step on to the field and that camera gets turned on, you're being evaluated," Jenkins said. "That's everybody in the building, so just kind of that reminder I think gets guys motivated."
