The Inquirer decided to look at the Eagles’ best ever and rank them. To do so, we polled a team of current and former Inquirer journalists — Frank Fitzpatrick, Marcus Hayes, Jeff McLane, Mike Sielski, EJ Smith, and Jim Swan.

Here are their top 50 players, and let the debate begin.

Eagles years: 1964-67

The Packers great played his last four seasons in Philadelphia, earning second-team All-Pro honors twice and making it to three more Pro Bowls. Ringo joined an awful Eagles team in 1964 and helped it at least become competitive. The Eagles went 2-10-2 the year before he arrived and 2-12 the year after, but were 26-29-1 with Ringo.

Eagles years: 1957-63

A gifted passer, Jurgensen backed up Bobby Thomason and Norm Van Brocklin for four seasons. Finally, a starter in 1961, he threw for 3,723 yards and 32 TDs (in a 14-game season) and earned first-team All-Pro honors. He followed that with 3,261 and 22 in ‘62, but after an injury-filled 1963 was traded to Washington.

Eagles years: 1986-92

As versatile as any Eagles back ever, Byars was a powerful runner who could catch passes and block like a lineman. In 1988, he ran for 517 yards and caught 72 passes for another 705 yards. In 1990, the former Ohio State star finished third in the NFL in catches (81), rushed for 141 yards, and threw four TD passes.

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Eagles years: 1998-2008

The 11th overall pick in the 1998 draft, Thomas later teamed with Jon Runyan to give the Eagles an elite pair of offensive tackles for nearly a decade. A three-time Pro Bowler, the Florida State product started 165 of 166 games while in Philadelphia.

Eagles years: 1951-62

A 14th-round pick who became the team’s starting tight end and placekicker, Walston ended his 12-year Eagles career as their all-time scoring leader. In 1954, when he caught 11 TD passes, his 114 points led the league. A straight-on kicker, his best season was the Eagles’ championship year of 1960 when he made 14 field goals and 39 of 40 PATs.

Eagles years: 2005-14

A hard-charging pass-rusher from Cincinnati, Cole averaged 11 sacks a season in a five-year span, 2007-11. Shifted to linebacker by Chip Kelly in 2013, he was often dominant, recording 56 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass deflections, and a safety.

Eagles years: 2012-14, 2017-18

An indelible Philadelphia hero, Foles memorably starred in the franchise’s lone Super Bowl victory. In three 2018 playoff wins, he completed 77 of 106 passes for 971 yards with six TDs and one interception. In 2013, he threw an NFL record-tying seven TD passes in a victory at Oakland.

Eagles years: 1988-91

Combining speed, hands, and power, the tight end prototype out of Oklahoma was rookie of the year in 1988 when he caught 81 passes for 869 yards and six TDs. Three times a first-team All-Pro, Jackson averaged 60 receptions and five TDs in his four Philadelphia seasons.

Eagles years: 1999-2010

The placekicker’s franchise-best 1,323 points are 442 more than second-place Bobby Walston’s total. As consistent as he was strong-legged, Akers averaged better than 24 field goals a year in 12 Philadelphia seasons. In 2002, he hit on 30 of 34 FGs and all 43 PATs.

Eagles years: 1960-67

An electrifying returner, Brown ran back one kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown and is one of only nine NFL players to return two kickoffs (90 and 93 yards) for TDs in the same game. He also was the team’s starting halfback, running for 841 yards in 1963 and 861 in 1965. A future actor, Brown twice led the league in all-purpose yards.

Eagles years: 2010-present

His strip-sack of Tom Brady late in Super Bowl LII preserved the Eagles victory. That play capped the former first-round pick’s best season — 9 ½ sacks, two forced fumbles. Despite missing most of two seasons with injuries, the pass-rush specialist has managed 59 sacks and 19 forced fumbles in 12 years.

» READ MORE: The power of positivity lifts Brandon Graham — and the Eagles look to emulate his good energy

Eagles years: 1953-61

A franchise favorite who became better known as a media personality than a player, Brookshier nonetheless was a better-than-average cornerback. He picked off eight passes as a rookie in 1953 and although he played just seven seasons because of military commitments and a serious leg injury, he finished with 20 interceptions and eight recovered fumbles.

Eagles years: 1977-86

Acquired in a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, the Polish Rifle set seven Eagles passing records in his decade here, including completions (2,088), TDs (175) and yards (26,963). His best year might have been the Eagles’ Super Bowl season of 1980 when he threw for 27 TDs and 3,529 yards.

Eagles years: 1998-2001, 2004-06, 2009

The bruising, high-energy Trotter is one of four Eagles linebackers (joining Chuck Bednarik, Maxie Baughan, and Bill Bergey) to be selected for at least four Pro Bowls. His return to the Eagles before the 2004 season helped reawaken a defense that carried the team to its second Super Bowl appearance.

Eagles years: 2000-08

The Eagles made him the highest-paid offensive lineman ever when he signed as a free agent in 2000. A fierce — and, many opponents claimed, dirty — blocker, the future U.S. congressman played in 190 consecutive regular-season and 18 playoff games, a streak that ended after knee surgery in 2009.

» READ MORE: Our 2022 Eagles Season Preview

Eagles years: 1943-55

A Philadelphia-born product of North Catholic and Temple, he was a standout Eagles lineman on both sides of the ball, one loved by Eagles fans for his big hits and despised by opponents who felt he played dirty. He missed only one game in 13 seasons because of injury and at one point held the NFL record for consecutive games played (187).

Eagles years: 1998-2002, 2004

Traded here by the Jets in 1998, Douglas quickly became a force in the locker room and on the defensive line. His best season in Philadelphia came in 2000 when he recorded 15 sacks, forced two fumbles and was named a first-team All-Pro. He tied a team record with 4 ½ sacks against San Diego in 1998.

Eagles years: 1969-76

A quarterback at Texas, Bradley was a safety and punter in Philadelphia. The two-time All-Pro was one of the most prolific interceptors in Eagles history. In 1971 and 1972, he had a combined 20 interceptions, leading the NFL both years. His 11 interceptions in 1971 remain a club record and he is tied with Eric Allen and Brian Dawkins for most in a career (34).

Eagles years: 1973-84

The large Texan, a first-round draft choice in 1973, was the best offensive lineman on the Dick Vermeil teams that made four straight playoff appearances and lost in Super Bowl XV. The durable tackle started 127 games in 12 Eagles seasons and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Eagles years: 1986-93

Somewhat overshadowed by his defensive linemate, Reggie White, the rangy and quick Simmons nonetheless had nearly as deadly a radar for opposing QBs. Twice a first-team All-Pro, he led the NFL with 19 sacks in 1992 and finished his career with the second-highest total in Eagles history, 76.

Eagles years: 1986-93

Playing with a 102-degree fever in a 1991 Monday Night Football win over Houston, the tremendously versatile linebacker recorded eight solo tackles, two sacks, and recovered the two fumbles he forced. A three-time Pro Bowler, Joyner finished his NFL career with 52 sacks, second all-time by a linebacker at the time.

Eagles years: 2008-13, 2019-20

Maybe the most dangerous Eagles’ deep threat ever, the lightning-quick Jackson will be remembered for the 65-yard punt return for a TD in 2010 that punctuated an astounding Philadelphia comeback against the New York Giants. In his initial six-season Eagles stint, he caught 356 passes for 6,177 yards and 32 TDs.

Eagles years: 1960-65

A second-round pick in the 1960 draft, the pugnacious rookie linebacker with the face of a well-worn boxer started every game in that championship season. Baughan was a Pro Bowl participant in five of his six Philadelphia seasons, and in his first appearance in the game he intercepted three passes.

Eagles years: 1977-84

His memorable, cutback 42-yard TD run gave the Eagles a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in the 1980 NFC title game. The Abilene Christian product still has more 100-yard rushing games than any runner in Eagles history. He led the NFL in all-purpose yards (2,012) in 1979, when he ran for a then club-record 1,512 yards.

Eagles years: 2013-present

The 6-foot-6, 330-pound behemoth from Oklahoma was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft. Johnson, a two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, was rated as the NFL’s top right tackle in 2017, the same year peers picked him as one of the league’s best 100 players.

» READ MORE: Eagles’ Lane Johnson is full of confidence and strength heading into Year 10

Eagles years: 1987-91

Before his career was tragically cut short, Brown made himself into one of the NFL’s best interior linemen. Playing on a line with White and Clyde Simmons, the quick and powerful Miami alumnus gradually moved into the spotlight, earning first-team All-Pro honors in his final two seasons, 1990-91. In 1992, he died in a car accident at age 27.

Eagles years: 2002-09

The Villanova superstar was a matchup nightmare for NFL defenses. In 2007, the undersized back was a first-team All-Pro, rushing for 1,333 yards and totaling a league-best 2,104 yards from scrimmage. That same season, Westbrook set an Eagles franchise record with 90 receptions.

» READ MORE: Brian Westbrook wants his legacy to live on through a children’s book: ‘This book is way bigger than myself’

Eagles years: 2014-19

A free-agent signing from New Orleans, the cerebral Jenkins became the spiritual leader of the Super Bowl LII champions. A three-time Pro Bowler, the punishing tackler never missed a start in six Philadelphia seasons. In 2015, he intercepted a Brady pass and returned it 99 yards for a TD.

Eagles years: 1996-2003

A five-time Pro Bowler in his eight Philadelphia seasons, the Pennsbury High grad and future NFL executive intercepted seven passes in 1999. Three years earlier, James Willis intercepted a Troy Aikman pass and lateraled to Vincent, and the resulting 104-yard return for a TD remains the longest such play in Eagles history.

Eagles years: 1955-66

Signed off the waiver wire, the North Dakota native became an Eagles star and later their GM. Moved from running back to tight end, he led the NFL with 56 receptions in 1958 despite never having caught a pass in college. In 1966, the five-time Pro Bowler won the Bert Bell Award as the league’s player of the year after catching 66 passes, 10 for touchdowns.

Eagles years: 2013-21

A Stanford all-American, the sure-handed Ertz was a tight end who became the favorite receiver for a series of Eagles quarterbacks. In his nine Philadelphia seasons, he averaged 64 receptions and 696 yards. In 2018, he broke the league record for tight-end receptions with 116 for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns.

» READ MORE: From the memories to the work ethic, Zach Ertz departs Philly as an all-time Eagles great

Eagles years: 1974-80

A ferocious hitter, Bergey was the anchor of the Vermeil-era defenses. He endeared himself to Eagles fans with his relentless aggressiveness, recording 233 tackles in one season. His last game was Super Bowl XV and he retired with 18 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries in seven seasons as an Eagle.

Eagles years: 1943-51

A two-way lineman and four-time first-team All-Pro, the 6-1, 214-pound Wistert played tougher and larger than his size, as evidenced by his nickname, “Big Ox.” A clubhouse leader, he captained the Eagles in their consecutive championship seasons of 1948-49.

Eagles years: 2009-14

The Harrisburg native is the Eagles’ all-time rushing leader with 6,792 yards in just six seasons. In a spectacular 2013, the shifty McCoy paced the NFL with 1,607 rushing yards and caught 52 passes for another 539 yards. He had more receptions (78) in 2010 and TDs (17) in 2011 than any other running back in those seasons.

» READ MORE: LeSean McCoy retires as an Eagle, regretting he ever had to leave

Eagles years: 1964-68

The second overall pick in the ‘64 draft, the 6-4, 280-pound athletically gifted tackle quickly earned the nickname “Boomer” for the crushing blocks he delivered. Despite his unglamorous position, Brown was named the NFL’s rookie of the year in 1964 and was named either first- team (3 times) or second-team (2) All-Pro in all five of his Eagles seasons.

Eagles years: 1988-94

A lockdown corner for Buddy Ryan’s Eagles before that term was popularized, Allen teamed with Wes Hopkins and Andre Waters in one of the NFL’s all-time defensive backfields. He remains the only player to return three interceptions for touchdowns in two seasons and finished his NFL career with 54 interceptions and eight TDs.

Eagles years: 1982-90

Until a knee injury truncated his career, the first-round pick out of North Carolina State might have been the NFL’s best and most consistent wideout. From 1983 through 1987, Quick caught 309 passes for 5,437 yards and 53 TDs, made five Pro Bowls and was a two-time first-team All-Pro.

» READ MORE: Could A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith be the best receiving duo in Eagles history?

Eagles years: 1958-60

Talked out of retirement, the longtime Rams QB played his final three seasons for the Eagles, guiding them to the NFL title in 1960 and winning the league’s MVP award. Van Brocklin, who threw 55 of his 173 TD passes with Philadelphia, led the league in passing three times and punting twice.

Eagles years: 2012-present

Strong and cerebral, Cox has been one of the NFL’s most dominant and consistent interior defenders. Drafted 12th overall in 2012, he was a first-team All-Pro in 2018 when he had a career-best 10 ½ sacks. A six-time Pro Bowler, he was named to the league’s all-decade team for the 2010s.

» READ MORE: Eagles’ Fletcher Cox on brief time on the free agency market

Eagles years: 1985-95

Arguably the most exciting — and enigmatic — talent in franchise history, Cunningham virtually revolutionized the QB position while running Ryan’s freewheeling offense. When he departed Philadelphia in 1996, after 11 never-dull seasons, he ranked as the Eagles’ third all-time rusher, second all-time passer, and first all-time highlight producer.

Eagles years: 2011-present

Beloved in Philly for his aggressive style of play and especially for the boisterous Super Bowl parade speech he delivered in Mummers finery, the athletic center has been a first-team All-Pro four times and a Pro Bowler in five seasons. Pro Football Focus rated him the NFL’s best offensive lineman in 2017.

» READ MORE: Jason Kelce’s greatness born of his passion for life

Eagles years: 1947-55

The Florida-born receiver with the alliterative name was a five-time All-Pro in nine Philadelphia seasons and a star on the 1948-49 championship teams. Despite playing in a run-first era, Pihos averaged 15-plus yards on 373 career receptions. In a 12-game 1953 season, he caught 63 passes for 1,049 yards and 10 TDs.

Eagles years: 1999-2009

The No. 2 overall pick out of Syracuse in 1999, the durable QB guided the Eagles to eight playoff appearances in 11 years, finishing as the franchise’s passing leader in attempts, completions, yards, and TDs. The versatile McNabb also became just the fourth QB to throw for 30,000 yards and 200 TDs and rush for 3,000 yards and 20 TDs.

» READ MORE: Jalen Hurts takes pride in carrying the torch as the next in the Eagles’ legacy of Black quarterbacks

Eagles years: 1971-83

The 6-8 wideout, a seventh-round pick out of Southern University, remains one of the game’s most underrated receivers. Nearly 40 years after his final Eagles season, he is still the franchise receiving leader in catches (589), yards (8,978), and TDs (79). Carmichael also once held the NFL record for catching passes in 127 consecutive games.

Eagles years: 1957-63

The speedy 5-9 flanker with a penchant for the big play became one of the most popular Eagles ever in seven electrifying seasons here. A running back at Oklahoma, McDonald easily transitioned to wideout, becoming a favorite target for QBs Jurgensen and Van Brocklin. He averaged better than 20 yards a catch in three seasons and in 1961 led the NFL with 1,144 receiving yards.

Eagles years: 2009-20

Acquired by Philadelphia in a 2009 trade with Buffalo, the 6-foot-4, 328-pound Peters made seven Pro Bowls as an Eagle. Drafted as a tight end out of Arkansas, he transformed into an elite left tackle, one whom opponents found to be smart, physical, and nearly impossible to move off his spot.

Eagles years: 1944-51

Powerful and quick, the halfback from LSU played just eight seasons, but upon his retirement in 1951 was the NFL’s all-time rushing leader in attempts (1,320), yards (5,860), and TDs (69). He carried the Eagles to consecutive championships in 1948 and 1949, scoring the only TD in the first title game and running for 196 yards in the second.

Eagles years: 1996-2008

A rare player whose energy and intensity matched his talent, the bruising safety was the Eagles’ defensive leader through most of 13 Philadelphia seasons. A nine-time Pro Bowler, Dawkins became just the 10th player in NFL history to collect 20 interceptions and 20 sacks. He finished his Eagles career with 898 tackles, 34 interceptions, 32 forced fumbles, and 21 sacks.

Eagles years: 1949-62

His era’s epitome of a hard-nosed, hard-hitting player, Concrete Charlie missed just four games in 14 Eagles seasons. An eight-time Pro Bowler and the last of the NFL’s 60-minute men, the Penn grad played both center and middle linebacker for several years and is best remembered for “The Hit,” his crushing tackle of the Giants’ Frank Gifford in 1960.

Eagles years: 1985-92

An irrepressible, often unstoppable defensive lineman, the Minister of Defense recorded 124 sacks in 121 games over eight spectacular years with the Eagles. While in Philadelphia, White was named the defensive rookie of the year, the defensive player of the year, and was a first-team All-Pro six times.