The Philadelphia Eagles woke up Tuesday morning facing more than just the sting of a third consecutive loss. Less than 24 hours after their 22–19 overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers, the team made a quiet but telling roster move, waiving long snapper Cal Adomitis after nine games of service. The decision appeared on the transaction wire with no fanfare, no elaboration from Nick Sirianni, and no delay — a shift that immediately fueled speculation about what the Eagles are trying to correct as their once-stable season begins to wobble. With their NFC East lead shrinking and four crucial games remaining, every detail now carries heightened scrutiny.

Philadelphia sits at 8–5, still holding first place in the division ahead of Dallas, but their   margin for error continues to narrow. The overtime loss in Los Angeles revealed more layers of instability than anyone in the organization would prefer to admit. Jake Elliott’s recent slump has highlighted issues within the field-goal operation. The defense showed cracks at key moments. And Jalen Hurts, long the engine of the team’s success, continues searching for his late-2023 rhythm. Against that backdrop, the release of Adomitis — who was signed in late September as a temporary replacement for Charley Hughlett — felt like a recalibration the Eagles could no longer put off.

Adomitis, a University of Pittsburgh alum and former Cincinnati Bengal, handled snapping duties with solid consistency despite joining the team midseason. His stint included 81 snaps across nine games, replacing Hughlett after the veteran suffered a neck injury that sent him to injured reserve before Week 5. Adomitis became a steady stopgap solution, but his service always carried an expiration date. That expiration seemingly arrived this week. Not because of performance, but because of timing: Hughlett is ready to return, and the Eagles need the operation functioning at full veteran sharpness as playoff pressure mounts.

While Sirianni did not specifically address the move, his comments after the loss painted a clear picture of a team urgently seeking control in the season’s final month. “Everything matters right now,” he said. “We’ve got to tighten up, we’ve got to execute, and we’ve got to do it in all three phases. No one is going to feel sorry for us.” Though he was referring broadly to team execution, the message resonated across special teams, one of the few areas where the Eagles can still make immediate, clean adjustments. Bringing back Hughlett — one of the steadiest long snappers in the sport — is the exact kind of decision that reflects postseason-level urgency.

Hughlett’s return is no small development. The 35-year-old has snapped in 157 career NFL games and was a cornerstone for the Cleveland Browns before joining Philadelphia this season. His resume includes a reputation for reliability — something the Eagles desperately need as Elliott works through a rare cold stretch. Elliott has missed five field goals and an extra point since Oct. 19, including a costly 48-yarder at the end of the first half against the Chargers that would have changed the trajectory of the game. In contrast, former Eagles fill-in Cameron Dicker drilled all five of his attempts for Los Angeles, including the overtime game-winner.

It’s no wonder Philadelphia felt compelled to restore stability. With December football underway, the difference between making and missing a kick could change the NFC East race. The Eagles’ magic number to clinch the division sits at three — any combination of three Philadelphia wins or Dallas losses will secure their first repeat division title since 2004. But with the Cowboys lingering and the schedule tightening, snaps, holds, and kicks must return to flawless form.

Adomitis, for his part, leaves Philadelphia with his reputation intact. He did the job he was asked to do, stepped in seamlessly during Hughlett’s absence, and now becomes an unrestricted free agent with enough game film to catch on elsewhere. His professionalism will not go unnoticed by teams seeking reliability at a niche but vital position. In a league where special-teams depth can evaporate instantly, he should have opportunities.

As the Eagles prepare to host the 2–11 Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, the team faces an inflection point. Coming off three straight losses, Philadelphia must reassert control or risk watching their division lead slip away. The return of a trusted long snapper won’t solve everything, but it restores one of the few operational mechanics the team can directly fix. In a season suddenly full of doubt, that alone carries value.

The reset begins now. And for the Eagles, the margin for error — and the patience of their fanbase — is shrinking rapidly.