The Eagles hired Reid away from the Green Bay Packers to be their new head coach prior to the start of the season.
The Eagles, with the same record of 3–13 in 1998 as the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts, would normally have had a chance at the number 1 pick in the 1999 draft.
The Eagles did win the 2nd pick in the Draft and selected University of Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb.
The quality of Andy Reid's work with the Packers attracted considerable notice throughout the league, leading to his being hired as the head coach of the Eagles on January 11, 1999.
At the time, many in the local media in Philadelphia criticized the hiring, citing the availability of other candidates who had past records of success as head coaches.
The Eagles, under former coach Ray Rhodes, finished in a three-way tie for the NFL's worst record at 3–13 the season before he took over.
McNabb saw his first NFL regular season action in the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 19–5 home loss on September 19.
McNabb threw the first TD pass of his career (6 yards to tight end Chad Lewis) vs. Indianapolis in a 44–17 home loss on November 21.
On defense, Brian Dawkins, Al Harris, and James Darling each intercepted Cardinals' quarterback Jake Plummer.