Staff Writer / Contributing Editor

Christiaan Defranco

National award-winning writer and journalist covering the Eagles, Phillies, and other sports in the Philadelphia metro market for MediaNews Group. In his 20-plus years in journalism, DeFranco has covered professional and college sports, major crime, government corruption, the 2016 elections in Florida, Hurricane Matthew, mismanagement in the healthcare system, music, religion, and many other subjects. He is a Philadelphia-area native and has made numerous radio and podcast appearances through the years. His columns and investigative work have garnered recognition from the Associated Press, Keystone Press Association, Columbia University, Fox Sports 1 television, Fox Sports Radio, ESPN Radio, and 1210-WPHT AM Philadelphia.

Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee passes during the first half of a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Time for Eagles fans to trust in Tanner McKee

January 2, 2026 at 6:28 a.m.

Resting most of their starters doesn’t mean the Eagles are giving up on the No. 2 seed.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo looks at his play sheet against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

With playoffs looming, Eagles’ offense is stuck in familiar rut

December 31, 2025 at 5:49 p.m.

It’s a team effort inside the NovaCare Complex as the Eagles, entering the final week of the regular season, continue groping in the dark for solutions to their persistent problems...

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts passes during the first half Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, against the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Eagles’ Sirianni admits he needs to help Patullo more

December 30, 2025 at 4:16 p.m.

Coach Nick Sirianni said something revealing after the Eagles knocked off the Buffalo Bills Sunday, a game in which his team held the league’s fourth-ranked scoring offense to just 12...

Philadelphia Eagles’ Dallas Goedert (88) and Fred Johnson (74) celebrate after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

5 things we learned in Eagles’ tight victory against Buffalo

December 29, 2025 at 12:09 p.m.

The Eagles didn’t win pretty Sunday, but they won big — a 13-12 escape over the Buffalo Bills in a rain-soaked slog that tested their defense, their nerve and their...

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalyx Hunt (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Eagles Report Card: Grade ‘A’ effort by defense lifts Eagles past Bills

December 29, 2025 at 12:04 p.m.

Buoyed by their defense, the Eagles hung on for a 13-12 victory over the Bills in rainy, sloppy Buffalo on Sunday. Here’s how the Birds graded out by position group.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scores the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP file photo)

Eagles brace for Bills, elements

December 28, 2025 at 2:00 a.m.

A late-season trip to Orchard Park, N.Y., rarely offers comfort or clean conditions. But today’s kickoff against the Buffalo Bills sets up another measuring stick for an Eagles team that...

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni talks to the media during a news conference after last week’s win over Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Sirianni: Eagles likely to play starters against Bills

December 25, 2025 at 5:50 p.m.

The Eagles get back to business Friday, and as the postseason draws closer, coach Nick Sirianni keeps circling back to establishing quality habits that he believes determine how teams play...

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) tackles Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Mitchell, DeJean among five Eagles Pro Bowl selections

December 23, 2025 at 8:50 p.m.

The Eagles’ Pro Bowl haul announced Tuesday served as a snapshot of a roster heavy on emerging defensive talent and underscored by a coaching staff intent on keeping its focus...

Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott reacts after missing a field goal against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter Dec. 20, 2025, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Eagles, Sirianni sticking with beleaguered kicker Jake Elliott

December 23, 2025 at 2:23 p.m.

Eagles kicker Jake Elliott, once among the most reliable in the league, especially from long distance, says his career-worst slump of missing seven field goals in the last nine games...

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown against cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) and the Washington Commanders during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (Nick Wass/AP)

5 things we learned as Eagles capture second straight NFC crown with heated win

December 21, 2025 at 11:37 a.m.

The Eagles clinched the NFC East for the second straight season Saturday night, shaking off some uneven offense and a late-game brawl to beat the Commanders 29-18 at Northwest Stadium.