PHILADELPHIA − We always knew that the careers of three legendary Eagles in center Jason Kelce and defensive linemen Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox could end whenever the Eagles' season does.

It just never seemed like it was so near as it does now, when the Eagles finished the regular season by losing five of six games heading into their NFC wild-card game Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This season, all three moved atop the Eagles' leaderboard in games played, all surpassing kicker David Akers, who played in 188 games. Graham will play in his 196th game Monday night; Kelce, in his 194th game; and Cox, in his 190th.

"You just cherish every moment you get a chance you get to play with those guys," Cox told reporters when asked if he had considered that possibility.

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Added Kelce: "I think it’s been natural the last three seasons for that for me. Whenever you’re older in your career, you never know when that’s going to be. I try to remind guys, and my dad has told me this from the moment I started playing football − you step off the curb one day and that could be the end of your career.

"You try to approach every game with that mindset, but obviously, the closer and the older you get to that being a realization, puts it out in front maybe a little bit more."

Clearly, Kelce, Cox and Graham would like to hold that off as long as possible. Whether they're able to could depend on one player and his formerly acrimonious relationship with de facto defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

That, of course, is cornerback Darius Slay, who's expected to play Monday after missing four games to have arthroscopic knee surgery. Slay decided to have the surgery the week Patricia took over the defensive play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Sean Desai.

That might seem like a coincidence considering that Slay and Patricia clashed in Detroit when Patricia was the head coach. Slay demanded a trade after the 2019 season, which is how he ended up with the Eagles.

The Eagles then hired Patricia last spring as a special defensive assistant. Slay said last summer that he was fine with it, that he and Patricia had made up. Patricia confirmed that upon taking over the play-calling duties, saying he gave Slay "a big hug."

It just so happens that the Eagles lost three of the four games with Patricia − and without Slay − and the defense has looked terrible.

Slay was asked if he has any emotions playing for Patricia again after their history in Detroit.

"I ain't got no emotions toward that. I’m just going out to play," Slay told reporters Thursday. "It’s more like playing for these guys, playing for this team, playing for this organization. My emotions will already be high. It’s not an emotion because me and Matty P. are connecting back together because he’s making play calls.

"We was already cool, always talking ball, anyway. It’s just better that he’s in front of the room now, talking about it, and whole room can hear what he's telling me, what’s going on, how he sees the game, stuff like that."

As much as Slay is excited to play, it's clear that Patricia needs Slay to play even more, quite possibly to save his job.

We saw how Slay could make a difference in the first meeting with the Buccaneers, back in Week 3, a 25-11 Eagles win in which the Bucs had 174 yards of total offense.

Sure, Desai was calling the defense back then. But he had Slay mostly covering Bucs star wide receiver Mike Evans. That freed up James Bradberry to move into the nickel spot to cover Delaware native Chris Godwin when he lined up in the slot.

The Eagles haven't had that luxury when Slay has been out. Bradberry, an All-Pro last season, has struggled this season. Without Slay, Bradberry has often lined up against the opponent's top receiver, with young players in either rookie Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks on the other side.

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It hasn't gone well. The Eagles are allowing an average of 30.3 points per game over the last six games, and the pass defense is ranked 31st, allowing an average of 253 yards per game.

Slay gives the cornerbacks much more flexibility − and a chance. And that holds true for the Eagles, and it especially holds true for Patricia.

"We know how great he is and everything that he brings," Patricia said about Slay. "Certainly, we can get into that situation and then we're obviously excited to get (Slay) out there in play. And then we'll just try to get everybody else in a situation depending on whether it's down and distance, or personnel package, or something like that."

How well Slay plays can thus determine how well the secondary can hold up against the Buccaneers passing offense. That, in turn, can determine Patricia's fate, and whether the Eagles careers of Kelce, Cox and Graham can last for at least another week.

As for the three, Kelce has contemplated retirement over the last five offseasons. Even though Kelce made the Pro Bowl and was selected an All-Pro, both for the sixth time, it would be hard to see him returning if the Eagles' season ends with their sixth loss in seven games.

Graham, 35, has played in every game this season, but his sack total has gone down from a career-high 11 in 2022 to three this season. Cox, 33, has played well, with five sacks, but the Eagles have gotten Cox to take pay cuts on one-year contracts the last two seasons.

"I’m just excited to get another opportunity," Graham said. "And I want to make sure this isn’t our last one."

Slay's return could have a lot to do with that.

Can Eagles win with Jalen Hurts hurting and without A.J. Brown?

Jalen Hurts will likely be playing with a dislocated finger on his throwing hand, and All-Pro receiver A.J. Brown will not be playing at all because of a knee injury.

That could limit the passing game, although the Eagles' other top receiver, DeVonta Smith, is expected to play after missing last week's game with an ankle injury.

But the Eagles do have an answer both for the potential passing limitations and the Buccaneers' expected blitz packages: running back D'Andre Swift.

Sure, the Bucs are entering the game with the No. 5-ranked rush defense, allowing just 95.3 yards per game while they are much worse in pass defense, ranking 29th in allowing 249 yards per game.

But the Eagles ran for 201 yards, led by Swift's 130, in the Sept. 25 meeting. The Eagles closed out the game by holding onto the ball for the final 9 minutes, 22 seconds.

Of course, the Bucs have the same game film that the Eagles do, so they will certainly make corrections and emphasize stopping the run more, especially with 350-pound nose tackle Vita Vea. And the Bucs can do so more effectively if the Eagles' passing game is limited.

And here, Hurts can make a difference too. After all, the middle finger might hinder his throwing ability, but it shouldn't hinder his running ability. Of course, Hurts hasn't been as dangerous of a runner this season for a variety of reasons, including a knee injury earlier this season, and perhaps the Eagles being extra cautious with him.

But these are the playoffs, so everything is in play.

Score: Eagles 28, Buccaneers 20.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How careers of 3 Eagles legends rest on Darius Slay, coach he detested