When the news finally broke that Zach Berman was leaving PHLY, it felt like a gut punch to a specific corner of the internet. You know the one. The "Sickos." The die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fans who spend their lunch breaks arguing about practice squad linebackers and 53-man roster math.
If you’ve followed the Philly media landscape for any length of time, you know the shuffle is constant. But this one felt different. Zach wasn't just another reporter; he was a founding pillar of the ALLCITY expansion into Philadelphia. He was the "straight man" to Bo Wulf’s chaotic energy. Seeing Zach Berman leaving PHLY after only two years sent shockwaves through the local sports media scene, leaving many wondering: Why now? And where is he going? If you liked this piece, you might want to read: this related article.
The Return to The Athletic
Honestly, the "where" turned out to be a familiar place. Zach Berman has officially rejoined The Athletic as a Senior Writer covering the Eagles. It’s a move that feels like a homecoming, considering he spent years there before the PHLY jump in 2023.
While PHLY was a bold experiment in daily, personality-driven digital media, the return to The Athletic signals a shift back toward long-form, written journalism for Berman. For another look on this story, refer to the recent coverage from The Athletic.
There’s a certain irony here.
In September 2023, the move from The Athletic to PHLY was seen as the "future" of local sports coverage. Fast forward to the 2025-2026 season, and the cycle has reset. Berman is back to the national powerhouse, and PHLY has already filled the void by bringing in EJ Smith from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Why the sudden exit?
Journalism is a grind. Beat reporting—the kind where you’re at the NovaCare Complex every single day—is even more of a grind. At PHLY, Berman was doing a daily hour-long podcast plus writing.
- The Content Fatigue: Doing 4-6 podcasts a week is exhausting. Fans on Reddit and Twitter noticed the strain.
- The "Writer" Identity: At his core, Zach is a writer. He’s the guy who wrote Underdogs about the Super Bowl run. He’s a "process" guy.
- Family Balance: Between the travel to Brazil for the season opener and the late-night post-game shows, the lifestyle of a daily podcaster is vastly different from a senior writer.
What Most People Get Wrong About the PHLY Split
A lot of people assumed there was some behind-the-scenes drama. When you listen to a podcast like Birds with Friends (which became the PHLY Eagles pod), the banter can get heated. Bo Wulf and Zach Berman have a dynamic that thrives on friction.
But if you watched Zach’s final episodes or read the farewells from his colleagues, it was clearly an amicable departure. The PHLY team even did a "Zach! Zach! Zach!" tribute.
The truth is simpler: The Athletic wanted him back.
They needed a heavy hitter to anchor their Eagles coverage alongside Brooks Kubena. In the media world, when a giant like The New York Times-owned Athletic comes knocking with a Senior Writer title and a focus on high-level reporting, you listen.
The Impact on PHLY Sports
So, where does this leave the "Sickos"?
PHLY isn't slowing down. By snagging EJ Smith, they’ve maintained their "big three" structure with Bo Wulf and Fran Duffy. EJ brings a different vibe—younger, perhaps more aligned with the digital-first, social-heavy pace of the company.
But you can't just replace Berman's "news man" aura. He was the person who brought instant credibility to the startup. When Zach reported something, it was a lock. That level of trust takes years to build on a beat as volatile as Philadelphia.
The Evolving Eagles Beat in 2026
The landscape Zach returns to at The Athletic is different than the one he left.
The Athletic now has ads. It’s part of a much larger corporate machine. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Inquirer is still the "Old Guard" with Jeff McLane leading the charge.
We are seeing a clear divide in how fans consume Eagles news:
- The "Vibe" Consumers: They watch PHLY for the community, the jokes, and the daily connection.
- The "Deep Dive" Consumers: They subscribe to The Athletic for the 3,000-word profiles and the "inside baseball" of the front office.
Zach Berman essentially decided he belonged in the second camp.
Is Podcasting Taking a Backseat?
One of the loudest theories regarding Zach Berman leaving PHLY is that he simply wanted to talk less and write more.
Podcasting requires you to be "on" constantly. You have to have an opinion on everything from the backup center to the quality of the stadium hot dogs. For a traditional journalist who prides himself on objective reporting and meticulously sourced stories, that constant "take" culture can be draining.
By moving back to a Senior Writer role, Berman gets to be the "expert" again rather than the "entertainer."
What Happens Next for Fans?
If you were a fan of the Wulf/Berman duo, the breakup is permanent—at least for now. But the "Three-Man Weave" continues at PHLY with EJ Smith, and honestly, the early reviews are positive. EJ has a sharp football mind and fits the faster pace of the show.
For those who missed Zach’s prose, your subscription to The Athletic is about to get a lot more valuable.
Actionable Insights for the "Sickos"
- Diversify your feeds: If you want the news Zach used to break on the pod, follow his new (old) column at The Athletic.
- Give the new PHLY crew a chance: Don't let nostalgia for the "old days" ruin the current product. The chemistry between Bo, Fran, and EJ is still developing.
- Watch the "Ringer Philly Special": Zach still makes guest appearances (like his recent playoff preview with Sheil Kapadia), so he hasn't vanished from the airwaves entirely.
The move wasn't a failure for PHLY, and it wasn't a "retreat" for Zach. It was a market correction. A premier writer went back to a premier writing platform, and a scrappy, personality-driven startup found a new voice to lead its next chapter. Philadelphia sports media remains the most competitive, chaotic, and entertaining circus in the country.
Stay tuned to the beat—things move fast at the NovaCare Complex.
Next Steps for Readers: Check out Zach Berman's latest Eagles analysis on The Athletic to see how his reporting style has evolved since his return. If you're looking for daily video content, keep an eye on the PHLY YouTube channel for their updated training camp and playoff coverage schedules.
