Eagles are focused on this season, won’t even watch Super Bowl banner ceremony

Jalen Hurts perfectly summed up the mindset of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles entering their title defense.

“Nothing I’ve accomplished in the past will get me what I desire in the future,” Hurts said in an interview on SiriusXM during training camp.

Before the Eagles kick off against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night in the NFL opener, their championship banner will be unveiled at Lincoln Financial Field.

Don’t expect the celebration to be a distraction.

Coach Nick Sirianni said Tuesday that his players won’t even be on the field for the ceremony.

“I didn’t know it was banner night. We won’t be out for that,” Sirianni said.

Hurts and his teammates aren’t satisfied with winning one championship. The Eagles are aiming for multiple rings and they’re built to repeat after dominating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl seven months ago.

Hurts, All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley, star wide receiver A.J. Brown and the entire offense, including a dominant line, return. The defense lost several key players — defensive linemen Josh Sweat, Milton Williams and Brandon Graham, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and cornerback Darius Slay — but has a lot of talent, depth and a savvy, wise coordinator in Vic Fangio.

Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who had a pick-6 against Mahomes in the Super Bowl, finished in the top five in voting for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter has established himself as a dominant force and All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun had a breakout season.

“I think we’re ready to go,” Fangio said. “We still have a lot of guys that were here last year and guys that we expect to be improved from last year.”

Sirianni has preached that it’s a new season, Hurts has reiterated it and team leaders have embraced it.

“We’re focused on our process and how we get better every single day. If your process is right, then it gives you the best chance to win,” Sirianni said earlier in the summer. “It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to win, but it gives you the best chance to win. Our goal is just to focus and to focus on where we are at this particular moment, to put the work in, to overcome the adversity and the rest will take care of itself.”