Eight Eagles, Patriots Players Remain From Super Bowl 52

The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles hold a joint practice on Tuesday in advance of their Thursday night preseason game. The stakes are high for players hoping to earn a starting spot or a place in the NFL. But the overall stakes are far less in mid-August 2024 than they were when these same franchises met on Feb. 4, 2018. The Patriots and Eagles met in Super Bowl 52 that day, with Philadelphia claiming their first Super Bowl championship.

Many players from that game are no longer in the NFL, as players or otherwise. Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles retired just last week. Some have moved on to careers in NFL careers in media, coaching, or moved into the front office. Others continuing playing in the NFL but are no longer with their team from Super Bowl 52.

New England’s Dont’a Hightower and Matthew Slater are now members of the Patriots coaching staff. Philadelphia’s Brent Celek and Malcolm Jennings are executives with the Eagles. But despite all of the changes that six and a half years brings, seven players from Super Bowl 52 remain playing for the same team they represented on that Sunday.

Also Read – Kelley: Bill Belichick Will Be an NFL Head Coach in 2025

Four players from the 2017 AFC Championship squad are still on the Patriots’ roster. Four players who helped the Eagles win their lone Lombardi Trophy to date remain playing for Philadelphia. A look at the eight players who remain.

David Andrews, Patriots Center

Andrews played all 76 offensive snaps in Super Bowl 52. He was in his third NFL season and already starting in his second Super Bowl, despite being an undrafted free agent. David Andrews remains New England’s starting center, though none of his co-workers in the trenches remain. Nate Solder, Joe Thuney, Shaq Mason, and others have all moved on. Andrews is a two-time Super Bowl champion and tied for the longest-tenured Patriots player.

Joe Cardona, Patriots Long Snapper

Tied with Andrews as the longest-tenured player in New England is long snapper Joe Cardona. He has two Super Bowl rings as well, although Super Bowl 52 is not one of them. He played seven snaps in the game and had a tough snap on a missed 26-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski in the first quarter.

Jake Elliott, Eagles Kicker

Elliott was a rookie placekicker for Philadelphia in 2017. He converted all three of his field goal attempts in Super Bowl 52 but did miss one of his four extra point attempts. Elliott ranks third in Eagles franchise history with 775 points. He needs 107 to pass Bobby Watson for second place. Elliott faces no competition in Philadelphia camp this year, so he will be back for an eighth season.

Brandon Graham, Eagles Defensive End

Brandon Graham registered the only sack in Super Bowl 52. He had two tackles and two quarterback hits in the game as well. Philadelphia drafted him in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, making him the longest-tenured Eagles player. He ranks fourth in franchise history with 73.0 sacks.

Lane Johnson, Eagles Right Tackle

Of all of the Philadelphia Eagles players from that Super Bowl, perhaps nobody endeared themselves to New England Patriots fans less than Lane Johnson. He helped anchor a line that allowed no sacks in Super Bowl 52. Jason Kelce’s retirement this offseason leaves Johnson as the lone remaining member of the group. He enters his twelfth season, having made five Pro Bowl teams and received two All-Pro honors. However, he might be best remembered by some for bashing the “Patriots Way” in New England.

📺Eagles Lane Johnson Rips Patriots:

"the Patriot Way is a fear-based organization… Do I think people enjoy and can say, 'I had a lot of fun playing there?' No, I don't. I'd much rather have fun and win a Super Bowl than be miserable [and win 5 Super Bowls]"
via @PardonMyTake pic.twitter.com/Kg6ZaVPWOI

— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) February 12, 2018

Jonathan Jones, Patriots Cornerback

Jones was a key contributor for the 2017 New England Patriots playing cornerback and special teams. Unfortunately, Jonathan Jones was on injured reserve for Super Bowl 52. He was injured in the Patriots 35-14 win in the Division Round of the AFC Playoffs. Jones remains a key member of the New England Patriots defense as he enters his ninth NFL season. He was the team’s 2023 nominee for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Rick Lovato, Eagles Long Snapper

Lovato and Cardona making up 25% of this list prove that a good long snapper is hard to find and important to hold on to. Bill Belichick must be smiling. Rick Lovato enters his tenth NFL season in 2024. He has played with the Eagles since 2016. He snapped seven times in the Super Bowl without incident.

Deatrich Wise Jr., Patriots Defensive End

Wise played only six snaps in the Super Bowl game against the Eagles, recording no statistics. He rebounded to be a key conotributor to New England victory in Super Bowl 53. Deatrich Wise Jr. has developed into a productive and relable player, as well as a team captain. He served as a Patriots captain the past two seasons. Only Wise played as a rookie among the Patriots 2017 draft class. Derek Rivers and Antonio Garcia were both lost for the season due to injuries. Conor McDermott was released, though he would eventually make his way back to Foxboro.

The two teams are unlikely to have a rematch of Super Bowl 52 this season in Super Bowl 59. But if they meet again in 2031, how many players from this season’s rosters will still be on the same teams? New England Patriots might expect players like Drake Maye, Ja’Lynn. Polk, and Christian Gonzalez to remain. But based on this list, it is perhaps more likely to have a few linemen and special teams players. But both teams still have many more games , and perhaps a few with titles at stake, to play before the 2031 season arrives.