Jason Kelce thinks the Phillies’ brutal start could lead to later success, but is he right?

It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Phillies are having a brutal start to the season. The team is blowing games left and right, and the players are clearly having no fun at all. I don’t blame them based on current events, but for such a tight-knit group, that’s a disaster when you’re trying to win in any sport.

While everything looks terrible right now, Eagles legend Jason Kelce went on the 94.1 WIP Morning Show to share a positive perspective on the matter.

Jason Kelce feels like the early-season adversity is “could be the best thing that’s happening to [the Phillies] right now,” and history backs it up:

Jason Kelce on the Phillies’ early season struggles:

"It could be the best thing that's happening to them right now…If you look at the best teams, since I've been in Philadelphia, almost all of us struggled at the beginning of the year…It's almost good to have adversity… pic.twitter.com/Dpou9d6Odf

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 23, 2025

He came with receipts, and in truth, he’s 100% right. Recent success for Philly teams has really only come after adversity. There is a galvanizing factor where the team almost wins to spite the fans. Look at Nick Sirianni screaming at Eagles fans last year as a shining example.

However, Kelce’s also right that early-season struggles – especially in a town as tough to play in as Philly – could easily destroy any winning hopes for that group. So the question remains, which way does this play out for the Phillies?

Let’s look at this factually. The 2017 and 2024 Eagles were both special groups. All of the pieces were there, and despite some stumbles out of the gate, they came together to win.

The Phillies themselves are examples of this as well. And this current team is definitely mirroring the 2024 Eagles in terms of fan vitriol.

We’ve got guys saying they want Topper fired (stupid), and trade Bryce Harper (not legally possible). The sky is falling in Phillies land, much like it did for that special Eagles team.

But here’s the rub: I don’t think this group has all the right pieces in place to get it together and compete for a championship. Even with how tight the clubhouse is, there are weaknesses on this team that

The Power of Friendship simply can’t overcome a bullpen leading the league in blown saves or fix the holes on the roster. Peace and Love won’t remind big leaguers how to hit.

Now, Sleep Dave Dombrowski could wake up from his years-long slumber and finally make a meaningful mid-season move instead of trying to find impact players in the bargain bin. Maybe some prospects get called up and light The Show on fire.

Of course, the MLB season doesn’t start until June 1. This could all be very overblown. I’d be so very happy to be wrong in my pessimism. But with this team as constructed? We’ll have to wait and see.

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