CHICAGO — Jalen Hurts had scrambled to his right toward the sideline, had taken a step out of bounds, had taken a hellacious hit from Bears linebacker D’Marco Jackson, and there Hurts was now, sprinting back to the Eagles’ huddle, making sure the world knew that he believed he was good to go.
The Eagles were moving, at the Bears’ 15-yard line midway through the second quarter, in striking distance of a tying touchdown. But the concussion spotter assigned to Monday night’s game at Soldier Field has a job to do, too, and it’s an important one, and he signaled to the officials that Hurts had to spend time getting his head checked in the medical tent.
What happened over the next four plays and several minutes wasn’t necessarily the turning point in the Eagles’ 27-7 loss, but it symbolized their night as perfectly as any sequence could. Throughout training camp and the preseason, the competition between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee for the team’s No. 2 quarterback spot was nothing more than a battle between two bad choices. Then Dalton replaced Hurts and showed just how bad. After Saquon Barkley ripped off a 14-yard run to the Bears’ 1-yard-line, he was stuffed twice, and on third down from the shotgun, Dalton did the one thing he couldn’t do: He turned the ball over, throwing a horrible interception to the Bears’ Dillon Thieneman.
Maybe, even if the Eagles get in the end zone or just settle for a field goal there, nothing else changes about a game that they never looked ready to play. Maybe Ben Johnson stays one step ahead of Vic Fangio. Maybe Case Keenum — 38-year-old Case Keenum, playing in his first NFL game in nearly three years — keeps carving up the Eagles’ defense. Maybe that defense keeps missing tackles and breaking down in coverage. Maybe Sean Mannion keeps calling screen passes that don’t work, that lose yardage, and stall drives. Maybe the rest of Monday night unfolds exactly as it did, with Hurts throwing his own awful interception late in the third quarter, with Johnson showing that he doesn’t need Caleb Williams at quarterback to outclass Fangio for the second time in 10 months.
It was a disastrous night for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
But then, that’s the twisted game that you can play with a team like the one the Eagles have been through their first three games. You can what-if just about any moment, because there are so many moments in which they are making silly, inexcusable mistakes. They committed 10 penalties Monday. They left Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond wide-open in the middle of the field and watched him dash for a 41-yard touchdown. They’re such a long way from the smart, buttoned-up team that head coach Nick Sirianni forever insists he expects them to be.
Go back to that pivotal point when Hurts left the game, Dalton entered it, and everything went to hell. Surely thousands of Eagles fans started screaming at their television screens when they saw that the trainers and doctors were examining Hurts. Sorry, everyone: It was the right thing to do. It doesn’t matter that Hurts appeared to be fresh and fine not long after Jackson hit him and said after the game that he had suffered no ill effects. Most NFL players in the same situation would have reacted exactly the same way he did, assuming they could. They’d want to stay on the field, and they’d hide any symptoms, and concussion spotters can’t take the chance of having players fool them and try to play through head trauma.
Per NFL rules as of 2015, a spotter can stop a game when a player “displays obvious signs of disorientation or is clearly unstable” and “is attempting to remain in the game and not be attended to by the club’s medical or athletic training staff.” Watch the play again. After Jackson levels him, Hurts remains prone on the ground for two full seconds, his legs and feet kicking slightly. It would be understandable if, based on the hit’s immediate aftermath, the spotter determined that Hurts was disoriented.
Sirianni, in theory, could have called a timeout to stall, to buy time for Hurts to clear the concussion protocol, except he said he had no idea what Hurts’ condition was and when he might be ready to return, if he could return at all. “I think that’s the right way to go about it,” he said. “The health of the player is the most important thing.” Besides, the problem wasn’t that Hurts was no longer in the game. The problem was that the Eagles, Dalton specifically, screwed up without him.
Dalton is 38, in his 16th NFL season. He is supposed to be experienced and savvy enough not to force a throw to a receiver, Dontayvion Wicks, who was blanketed in the back of the end zone. A coach should be able to count on a veteran backup to be smart in that situation, and the Eagles paid dearly for Dalton’s violation of that trust.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Chicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum embrace at the end of the game at Soldier Field on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Chicago, Ill. Chicago won 27-7.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jonathan Greenard leave after the Chicago Bears game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts lies on the ground after getting sacked during the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bears game.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts watches the last two minutes of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Chicago won 27-7.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts gets up after getting sacked in the fourth quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws long on fourth down in the fourth quarter, pass incomplete at Soldier Field on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Chicago, Ill.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon makes a reception in the fourth quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan reacts after a penalty is called in the fourth quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni in the fourth quarter. Chicago won 27-7.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the ball to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jonathan Greenard tackles Chicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum in the fourth quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum almost loses possession of the ball in the fourth quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell tackles Chicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum in the fourth quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards after intercepting a pass in the third quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after throwing a third-quarter interception.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards celebrates an interception in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is wrapped up by Chicago Bears safety Elijah Hicks in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans in the third quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun tackle Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland in the third quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon was tackled by Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the third quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the ball to Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt goes after Chicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears fan reacts to the last-minute “tush push” score by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts looks up after scoring on the tush push with one second left to go.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears safety Dillon Thieneman celebrates an interception in the second quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell stops Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift in the second quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz is defended by Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs by Chicago Bears safety Dillon Thieneman in the second quarter, just short of a touchdown.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell breaks up a pass intended for Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III in the second quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift gets stopped by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (left) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (right) in the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerIncomplete pass to Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze in the second quarter, defended by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III scores as the Philadelphia Eagles defense tries to stop him during the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell forces Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III out of bounds in the first quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift runs with the ball against Philadelphia Eagles safety Marcus Epps in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerChicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum hands off to Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
“I can’t put the team in that situation,” Dalton said. “Costly decision.”
The lasting price of that incompetence, just one example of so many Monday night, remains to be seen. The Eagles are 2-1, sure, but so far they haven’t been the team anyone expected them to be. They are asking so much of Hurts, perhaps too much. Their defense hasn’t been close to the shutdown unit it was presumed to be. And the Los Angeles Rams, 1-2 and dangerous, are ahead on Sunday. The Eagles had better wise up before then, because their leader and their self-image took some major hits Monday night, and right now, everyone is wondering what kind of team they really are.
The Eagles’ top tight end appeared to suffer his injury while run blocking in the second quarter. He did not return to the game.
Goedert’s absence left the Eagles in an interesting situation at the position, and general manager Howie Roseman responded quickly by signing longtime Eagle Zach Ertz.
The healthy tight ends behind Goedert on the depth chart prior to signing Ertz were blocking specialists in Johnny Mundt and EJ Jenkins. Goedert starred in Week 1 with four catches for 77 yards and two scores. Mundt, meanwhile, has been targeted three times on 69 snaps through two games. The Eagles have been in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) on 22.4% of their offensive plays this season, according to Sumer Sports. Without Goedert on the field, the Eagles don’t have a real pass-catching threat in those sets.
They aimed to fill their pass-catching depth issue behind Goedert when they drafted Eli Stowers in the second round, but the rookie had a slow start to training camp and is on injured reserve while he recovers from a hamstring injury. Grant Calcaterra (back) also is on injured reserve. The Eagles have one tight end on the practice squad, veteran Josiah Deguara, who has 14 catches over the last three seasons.
Dallas Goedert was Jalen Hurts’ favorite target in Week 1.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Ertz, 35, needs just 11 more receptions to break Harold Carmichael’s franchise record of 589 to become the Eagles’ all-time receptions leader. He is only nine months removed from a major knee injury, but he gives the Eagles a veteran pass-catching option.
“I know [Roseman] will do everything he can do if we are without Dallas,” Nick Sirianni said when asked about the position group on Monday. “We’ll see where we are.”
Goedert wasn’t the only key offensive player getting further testing after Sunday.
Saquon Barkley left Sunday’s game after suffering a stinger and was set to get an MRI on Monday. He was injured on the Eagles’ first offensive play. He returned in the second half but only briefly before being forced to miss the rest of the game.
If Barkley misses game action, it would be a big blow to a running game that hasn’t really gotten off the ground through two games.
The Eagles have capable backups behind Barkley in Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, and an experienced running back on the practice squad in Dameon Pierce — as well as preseason darling Carson Steele.
With or without Barkley, the Eagles need to start running the ball with more efficiency and consistency.
It is the key to their offense, considering the new scheme under coordinator Sean Mannion relies on marrying the run and pass games and utilizing under-center play action. Those things aren’t possible when you’re not moving the ball on the ground. Four Eagles — including Barkley, not including Jalen Hurts, and not counting a behind-the-line swing pass to Makai Lemon — combined for 78 yards on 27 carries Sunday. They had better per-carry success in Week 1, but take Barkley’s 42-yard burst out of the equation and the stat line from the running backs was 48 yards on 17 carries.
Saquon Barkley rushed for just 9 yards on four carries vs. the Titans.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
The new-look offense has the Eagles running more wide zone blocking schemes, and so far the execution up front hasn’t been consistent enough.
Sirianni called it a “full-team effort” that includes coaching better.
“We have to be better as a whole there, and we’re going to continue to work like crazy to get to that portion,” Sirianni said. “We’ve found ways to win the first two games, but we know we’re capable of being better in the run game. And I think there’s elements of it being close, too.
“They’re going to junk it up enough that when you get the looks that are really good looks, you got to make them pay when they’re in that, and we’re close. We are close.”
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jalen Hurts tossed two costly interceptions. The first was returned 92 yards and converted into a touchdown, while the second came late in the fourth quarter and allowed the Titans to take a 20-17 lead.
And yet, Hurts wasn’t asked a single question about the picks postgame. His performance in rallying the Eagles past Tennessee, 24-20, in nearly every other moment, including a masterful two-minute drive, far overshadowed his two throwing errors.
But there was something unique about Hurts carrying the offense at the scorching Nissan Stadium on Sunday. He’s strapped the Eagles onto his back before. He’s had better games against better opponents when the stakes were much higher. He’s been clutch on many previous occasions.
Video: Jalen Hurts lauds the Eagles’ perseverance after win over Titans
No, this was a different Hurts. This was the 2.0 version. This was Hurts evolving as a quarterback in a new scheme that gives him more freedom as a passer. We saw glimpses of it in Week 1 vs. the Washington Commanders. He took another step in Week 2.
If the narrative entering this season was that the 28-year-old faced a make-it-or-break-it tipping point, after another offensive coordinator change and a seemingly unresolved contract situation, Hurts has shown through two weeks that he’s making it.
He’s been that instrumental in the Eagles’ 2-0 start despite the schematic hiccups and struggles on the offensive line.
“I don’t even think words can describe how much you’ve got to manage as a quarterback in this league from a responsibility standpoint, and the weight that comes with the position and the responsibility,” Hurts said when asked about his calm amid an otherwise stormy offensive day.
“Ultimately, you gotta keep the main thing the main thing throughout that. You gotta keep your poise and keep your focus.”
An early injury to Saquon Barkley was one more thing Jalen Hurts was forced to overcome on Sunday. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Third down after third down, Hurts and his receivers bailed out the early-down malaise. The Eagles have long needed an offense that establishes the run game. Hurts’ limitations as a dropback passer have partially made that necessary, but it’s also been a byproduct of coach Nick Sirianni’s conservatism.
The Eagles just might not have the pieces to be a run-based unit this season. There were likely to be some early bumps with the new wide-zone blocking scheme. But for as much as Sean Mannion needs the outside-zone runs to set up play action, he can’t keep calling early-down runs or quasi-runs that are passes that fail.
The Eagles have been wretched on first down. They averaged just 0.9 yards in the first game of the season. They were a little better in the second, but the running backs managed just 2.7 yards on 15 first-down rushes vs. the Titans.
The Eagles shuffled the O-line after Landon Dickerson went to injured reserve last week, moving Cam Jurgens to the vacant left guard spot and inserting Drew Kendall at center. There were going to be miscues with Jurgens having never played guard on that side, especially with Jeffery Simmons lining up over him.
But Mannion kept calling runs even if they often were away from the All-Pro defensive tackle.
“It’s more to do with execution, but then also you know the moving pieces that we had in,” tackle Jordan Mailata said about the run-blocking issues. “This is our first game together as the starting five for us. And I’ve always emphasized the continuity of having the same O-line guys.”
Sirianni wouldn’t divulge whether he’ll stick with the same configuration, but keeping the same core for at least the next three games — or more, depending upon Dickerson’s health — seems likely.
Cam Jurgens (51) and the offensive line has been slow to adjust to the Sean Mannion scheme. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
“I’m a soldier,” Jurgens said. “I march to my orders, and whatever I’m asked to do, I’m going to do it to my best abilities.”
There were other missing parts. Running back Saquon Barkley left early with a stinger (although he returned), while tight end Dallas Goedert was sidelined with a knee injury. Sirianni said he wouldn’t grade on a curve because of the new faces and scheme changes.
“We want to be able to run it more efficiently,” Sirianni said. “I haven’t seen any of the numbers, but everything comes off of the run and the play action. And so, the guys battled though. That’s what you’re so proud of there. … But there’s definitely room for improvement, as we all know.
The pass protection wasn’t much better, although when the O-line needed to stand tall on the last drive, Hurts mostly had enough time in the pocket. But getting sacked three times, hit an additional three times, and having to Houdini out of pressure isn’t likely sustainable.
According to the advanced analytics site Sumer Sports, the Eagles have the largest difference in early-down offensive success rate vs. late-down offensive success rate to start a season since 2022, with an early-down success rate of 31.5% in the third percentile, and a late-down rate of 60.6% in the 96th percentile.
Hurts kept facing long third downs and kept hitting receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks downfield. He converted nine third downs of more than 4 yards, three of which were third-and-12.
Jalen Hurts helped facilitate a big day for DeVonta Smith (6) and completed passes to nine different targets on Sunday. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
But both his interceptions also came on third-and-longs. He kept bouncing back.
“Jalen’s able to flush it and lead us down the field in a critical situation,” Sirianni said. “Just proud of the way he played and the way he had his resolve, but that’s who he is, right? That doesn’t surprise me. He’s that on a daily basis.”
Whether it’s by design or not, Sirianni has had to entrust his 28-year-old quarterback with more responsibility, and that may require accepting a few more interceptions than either has become accustomed to.
If the Kyle Shanahan-type parts of Mannion’s under center, play-action scheme haven’t yet taken hold, the implementation of more full progression reads has. Hurts completed passes to nine receivers for only the fourth time in his NFL career, and the first since 2022.
He got late into his reads on several throws, including the game-winning 3-yard touchdown toss to Darius Cooper. Earlier, he found Cooper for a 23-yard gain when the receiver was beyond his first two reads.
“I think it’s just a byproduct of our approach in our offense,” Hurts said. “I’ve really embraced and enjoyed the teaching progression and how things are taught.”
Hurts has heard the noise about his not being able to diagnose defenses, dating back to his second season when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers said as much in an Eagles wild-card playoff loss. Simmons said the Titans wanted to make Hurts “play quarterback” in the lead-up to the game.
“I heard it,” Hurts said.
He let his play do the talking, though.
“I’m happy we won,” Hurts said when asked for a response.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni (left) and assistant to the head coach Cole Peterson (right) dance off the field after beating the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville, Tenn. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates after the Eagles beat the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley after throwing the game-winning touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper catches a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni celebrates after they beat the Tennessee Titans.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerHappy Philadelphia Eagles fans after the Eagles scored a touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens lifts up Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper after Cooper makes the winning touchdown with seconds left in the fourth quarter. David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan holds up a Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith jersey with seconds left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts throws the football late in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter gets help coming off the field in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fan is sweating it out with the Eagles trailing 20-17 in the fourth quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon gets stopped by Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches first down pass against Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Riq Woolen defends Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambles out of trouble and throws an incomplete pass with 8 seconds left in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Johnny Mundt is brought down by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni while the Tennessee Titans are driving in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun stop Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley pushed out of bounds by Tennessee Titans linebacker Cedric Gray in the third quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith hauls in a pass, but it was incomplete during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott watches his long field goal in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley running with the ball in the third quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles defensive tackle Ty Robinson (left) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (right) try to block a field goal as time runs out in the first half against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun brings down Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor after Titans’ drive to the end zone late in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith celebrates a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley runs along the sideline with Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor defending.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans cheer as the Eagles drive towards the end zone.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head of security Big Dom DiSandro stops Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts as he is running out of bounds so he doesn’t hurt himself in the second quarter.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby runs with the football during the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby celebrate Bigsby’s touchdown in the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks gets a first-down catch passed Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton and Tennessee Titans linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerTennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker intercepts the ball from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the first quarter and runs it just short of the end zone.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith gets a first down pass with Tennessee Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor defending in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey returns the first punt of the game, defended by Tennessee Titans safety Erick Hallett, in the first quarter.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans get ready for the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Hurts can still do the athletic and mobile things that separate him from many other quarterbacks. He ran twice on designed runs, scrambled two times for 11 yards, and used his lower-body strength to convert on the return of the Tush Push.
But he’s quieted some doubts about how he would adapt to the biggest scheme change of his NFL career, and about how last season ended. In Week 1, he hit Goedert for a touchdown on a four verticals concept similar to the fateful last play in the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 2, he bested the opposing defensive coordinator in that game — Titans coach Robert Saleh.
It’s early, of course. If the problems on Chris Kuper’s O-line are going to be waved away with the same reason, then Hurts’ strong start should be taken with a grain of salt. The same could be said about the climate — both teams had to suffer through it — even if Eagles players were melting through cleats.
“Was like a NASCAR pit crew helping me get ready for the second half,” said Jurgens, who said he went through two pairs.
It may be another Eagles victory, with agony and outside voices thrilled to complain about it. But Hurts knows better. The work was done. The task at hand remains.
“We’re still progressing,” Hurts said. “Think there’s a lot for us to continue to improve on, to align toward. But you want to do that and find ways to win.”
He’s done that as much as any quarterback over the last five seasons. But he may have to shoulder more than he ever has before.
Reasonable humans will enter Week 2 careful not to get carried away with the talent disparity between the Eagles and the Titans.
They will remind themselves of the relatively thin margins that separate teams in the modern NFL.
They will note the Eagles’ struggles in their last two games against a Robert Saleh defense. They will remind themselves of the disruptive potential of Titans All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons going against an Eagles interior offensive line that will be missing stud guard Landon Dickerson. They may even point to last year’s 34-17 Week 6 loss to a Giants team that featured play-caller Brian Daboll and wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, both now with Tennessee.
All of which is great. If you happen to be a reasonable human.
The rest of us will be over here expecting a 40-spot.
Is that really too much to ask?
There once was a time when watching an Eagles game didn’t leave you feeling the need to invest in one of those Guardian helmets. It was something you could do without completely dissociating from the world around you. You could watch an Eagles game and still do things that normal humans do: Laugh at jokes, eat potato chips at a reasonable pace, respond politely to innocent non-football-related questions from loved ones. The game would end and you would turn off the TV and you would say to yourself, “Hey, that was fun.”
I’m sure there have been a few moments like that since the Eagles won the NFC championship and Super Bowl in 2025 by a combined score of 95-45. But you will have to remind me of them.
Most of the Eagles games that I remember from the last year-plus involve fourth quarters like the one we endured last week. A two-possession game becomes a one-possession game and then a one-possession game becomes a potential loss. The false sense of security evaporates but doesn’t take with it the feeling that the Eagles are still the better team.
Sunday’s win over the Commanders mirrored many Eagles games over the last year, which required Moro Ojomo (left) to make a stop on a Washington two-point conversion attempt.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
This isn’t an illusion. I went back and looked. In each of the last four games the Eagles have played, including the playoffs, an opponent has scored a potential game-winning or game-tying touchdown in the last three minutes of regulation. Two of those games broke in the Eagles’ favor because of failed two-point conversions. Last week it was Moro Ojomo spinning into the path of an attempted shovel pass after Antonio Williams pulled the Washington Commanders to within two on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels. In Week 17 of last season, it was Josh Allen plunging over right guard with eight seconds left and then throwing incomplete for Khalil Shakir on the two-point try as the Eagles pulled out a 13-12 win. In between those two wins came squandered late-fourth-quarter leads against the Commanders (in an irrelevant game) and the San Francisco 49ers (in the playoffs).
Before the current stretch of squeakers, we saw:
Week 10: A game the Eagles lead 10-0 with 10 minutes left is eventually decided by a failed fourth-and-1 play with 1 minute, 26 seconds remaining near midfield and the Packers driving down 10-7. Somehow, Green Bay still got a chance at a 64-yard field goal attempt with two seconds left.
Week 11: Eagles lead 16-6 with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, but come dangerously close to giving the Detroit Lions the ball down 16-9 with 1:51 remaining (pass interference on a third-and-8 incompletion to A.J. Brown).
Week 12: Eagles lead the Dallas Cowboys 21-0 early in the second quarter. They lose on a game-winning field goal by Brandon Aubrey with no time left.
Week 14: Eagles were up 19-16 against the Los Angeles Chargers with 2:16 remaining. Cameron Dicker hits a game-tying FG with eight seconds left and then a game-winner in overtime.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after winning the season opening game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates a touchdown with Keyshawn James-Newby (center) and offensive tackle Lane Johnson during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo celebrates a two-point conversion stop late during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles stop the two point conversion attempt during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert scores a fourth quarter touchdown past Commanders cornerback Darius Rush during the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert catches the football for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts first down run during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerWashington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs hugs the goalpost after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. Unsportsmanlike penalty was called pushing the Commanders back.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerWashington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs scores in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches the ball for a big first down during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts gains fourteen yards on a run in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles place kicker Jake Elliott kicks a third quarter field goad during the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles cornerback Cooper DeJean stops Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches the ball against Commanders cornerback Darius Rush during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sacked in the third quarter by Washington Commanders linebacker Odafe Oweh at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambles on a third down during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni racts during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts passes to tight end Dallas Goedert late during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter celebrates a blocked extra point late during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hands off to Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert congratulates Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks after a second quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni congratulates Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks after his second quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith tries to block Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo goes after Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks celebrates a touchdown with Darius Cooper (left) and DeVonta Smith (right) during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles linebacker Zack Baun celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun stops Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt for a loss, Washington punts on the drive, at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley with a big run in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun sandwich Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles running back Saquon Barkley gains 42 yards during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert celebrates second quarter touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert spikes the ball after a touchdown in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert catches a touchdown against Commanders safety Quan Martin during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.nYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans cheer in the first quarter of the season opener against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts reacts during the first quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Makai Lemon catches the ball against Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson during the first quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley misses a pass in the first quarter, defended by Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles, at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during a moment of silence before the start of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs out of the tunnel at the season opener against the Washington Commanders in Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs out of the tunnel during player introductions before the season opening game against the Washington Commanders in Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerGreg Gorski, of Elkins Park, poses for a portrait while tailgating before the Eagles play the Commanders in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Every week, Nick Sirianni reminds us that winning is hard in the National Football League. Every victory is like a delicate child, something to nurture and cherish. And, look, Sirianni is right. Few coaches in NFL history have won games as often as he does. No coach has a better record than Sirianni’s 6-0 mark in Week 1. It says something about the coach and his team that they are as unconvincing in losing as they often are in winning.
But, please, convince us. Forget all of that mumbo jumbo about a win being a win on any given Sunday. Wins are great. They’re much better when you feel good about them. That’s not only true from an entertainment standpoint. Look at the energy flowing out of Chicago and Baltimore. Imagine how a locker room feels when its head coach says he wants to set the single-season scoring record and then the team backs him up by hanging 59 points on a playoff team on the road in Week 1? Whatever their faults, Ben Johnson’s Bears have a self-replicating swagger. Same goes for the Ravens under Johnson acolyte Declan Doyle. A very good way to build political capital as a 30-year-old first-time play-caller is to rack up 506 yards and 41 points in your debut. Wins matter most of all. But the manner of victory isn’t irrelevant.
As somebody who has spent plenty of time in Eagles postgame locker rooms across a wide-ranging gamut of seasons, I will tell you I firmly believe the team would benefit greatly from one of those god-that-felt-good kind of victories. Not that they doubt themselves. Not that they lack confidence. It’s simply good for the soul to blow a team out of the building now and then.
The Titans are an opportunity. They allowed 30+ points in nearly half their games last season. Among the teams that scored 30 with 350+ total yards were the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers. Good teams take advantage of these opportunities. It is an opportunity for DeVonta Smith to cook as WR1. It is an opportunity for Jalen Hurts to do as he pleases from the pocket. It is an opportunity for Sean Mannion to give everyone the peace of mind that Doyle instilled in Ravens fans last week.
Sure, a win would be great. Signs of improvement would be nice. But what everybody really needs is a crooked number and a blowout.
Case in point: The first question Nick Sirianni faced in his Monday press conference was about the “leaky” play from his interior offensive linemen, particularly from left guard Landon Dickerson, who allowed four pressures and one quarterback hit.
Dickerson, once considered one of the top guards in the NFL, played through injuries last season. He was adamant all offseason that he was healthy, but it didn’t appear that way on Sunday.
So, what gives?
“I think what you see with Landon is his extreme power,” Sirianni said of Dickerson, who was gone by the time reporters entered the postgame locker room Sunday night. “He’s a big man who is able to move guys off the spot.
“If you go back and you look at — I think, OK, so he gives up some pressures. All right, but he also caved in that side on Saquon [Barkley’s] long run on that third down, and just did a really good job of pushing their defensive tackle and displacing him, which is a big job description for him.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after winning the season opening game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates a touchdown with Keyshawn James-Newby (center) and offensive tackle Lane Johnson during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo celebrates a two-point conversion stop late during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles stop the two point conversion attempt during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert scores a fourth quarter touchdown past Commanders cornerback Darius Rush during the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert catches the football for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts first down run during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerWashington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs hugs the goalpost after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. Unsportsmanlike penalty was called pushing the Commanders back.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerWashington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs scores in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches the ball for a big first down during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts gains fourteen yards on a run in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles place kicker Jake Elliott kicks a third quarter field goad during the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles cornerback Cooper DeJean stops Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches the ball against Commanders cornerback Darius Rush during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sacked in the third quarter by Washington Commanders linebacker Odafe Oweh at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambles on a third down during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni racts during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts passes to tight end Dallas Goedert late during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter celebrates a blocked extra point late during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hands off to Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert congratulates Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks after a second quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni congratulates Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks after his second quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith tries to block Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo goes after Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks celebrates a touchdown with Darius Cooper (left) and DeVonta Smith (right) during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles linebacker Zack Baun celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun stops Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt for a loss, Washington punts on the drive, at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley with a big run in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun sandwich Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles running back Saquon Barkley gains 42 yards during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert celebrates second quarter touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert spikes the ball after a touchdown in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert catches a touchdown against Commanders safety Quan Martin during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.nYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans cheer in the first quarter of the season opener against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts reacts during the first quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Makai Lemon catches the ball against Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson during the first quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley misses a pass in the first quarter, defended by Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles, at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during a moment of silence before the start of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs out of the tunnel at the season opener against the Washington Commanders in Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs out of the tunnel during player introductions before the season opening game against the Washington Commanders in Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerGreg Gorski, of Elkins Park, poses for a portrait while tailgating before the Eagles play the Commanders in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
“He’s tough as heck,” Sirianni continued. “We’ve won a ton of games with Landon. And there’s a lot of good things that he can do, just like every player on our team from yesterday’s game and every coach, for that matter, there’s good moments, and there were moments that we got to fix, and that’s where we are.
“I can’t tell you how much I think of Landon and the player that he is, and particularly that power and that size where he can move guys off the spot against their will.”
Lemon’s shaky debut
Let’s recap Makai Lemon’s summer: The first-round rookie receiver was injured for most of training camp and he recorded just 3 yards on three catches (plus a drop that led to an interception) in his lone preseason appearance.
His Week 1 stat line was even uglier: He caught 3-of-4 targets for minus-5 yards.
“There’s a lot of things that Makai did in that game that don’t reflect on the stat sheet,” Sirianni said. “We constantly talk about that: What are you doing to help this team win the game, particularly if you’re a skill guy?
“That might not be able to be seen from the stat book or to the naked eye. What he’s always done a good job since he’s been here [is] blocking, doing the right things, being in the right spots. Obviously the ones that went to him yesterday didn’t equal out to a big yardage game, right? But he did little things to help us win the football game that sometimes are unseen.”
Makai Lemon had a quiet NFL debut on Sunday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Sirianni went on to say that he still “trusts” Lemon, whom the Eagles took with the No. 20 pick in April’s draft. They traded up with the rival Dallas Cowboys in order to pick him and they’re confident his production will translate to the NFL.
It certainly didn’t in his debut.
Where was Hollywood?
Wide receiver Hollywood Brown, who signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Eagles this offseason, did not see the field once on Sunday.
Sirianni said this will change moving forward. The Eagles coach knows that Brown can create space with his speed and playmaking skills and acknowledged that the wide receiver has been a decent fit in Mannion’s offense.
Sirianni just couldn’t find those reps for him in Week 1.
“So, with yesterday, we have our rotations that we’re doing, you know, Hollywood could obviously help us,” Sirianni said. “We obviously want to get him into the football game because his speed is real. It just didn’t work out that way yesterday.
“There are games like that. There are games where you get shut out on catches. Unfortunately, there are games, they get shut out on reps. But we know that Hollywood can help us win football games, and his speed is real, and, quite frankly, just from my end, we want to get him into the football game, right?”
Jalen Hurts answered some questions about how he’ll adjust to maybe the most significant scheme and play-caller change of his NFL career. It wasn’t always pretty, particularly when Washington pressured him or changed the coverage picture post-snap. But Hurts delivered when needed with his arm and legs.
Overall, he completed 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns. He scrambled five times for 48 yards before game-ending kneels. In the fourth quarter, he found Dallas Goedert over the middle and the tight end did the rest for a 43-yard touchdown. Earlier on the drive, Hurts had a huge 22-yard scramble on third-and-18. There weren’t any designed quarterback runs, but Hurts looked more mobile than he has in a few years.
In the third quarter, Hurts tear-dropped a 31-yarder to DeVonta Smith on a third down. Until that moment in the second half, the offense looked ugly. Hurts and his protection struggled vs. Washington’s blitzes and simulated pressures.
Jalen Hurts (right) completed 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Hurts was mostly excellent in the first half when he had time to throw. He heaved a deep dime to wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks on a 64-yard corner route. He hit Goedert down the seam for a 17-yard touchdown. And he was on time with Wicks on an out route that resulted in a 9-yard touchdown.
After the Eagles guarded the identity of their No. 2 quarterback like it was a state secret, Andy Dalton got the nod ahead of Tanner McKee.
Saquon Barkley did the best he could. There were several rushes in which Barkley was met in the backfield just after the handoff. It looked like last year’s leaky run game at times as he was dropped for a loss on at least four carries. It could have been worse if not for Barkley’s spins, jukes, and strength.
He converted third-and 2 in the second quarter when he broke a tackle and chugged 42 yards. Barkley finished with 83 yards rushing on 15 carries. In blitz pickup, he might have missed an edge pressure in which Hurts was decked in the second quarter. He had a few pickups that gave the quarterback time, but got steamrolled by rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, who recorded a third-quarter sack.
Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley weren’t given much of a workload. Shipley had two carries for 4 yards and caught an 8-yard pass out of the backfield before the half, while Bigsby finished with one carry for 3 yards.
Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (center) finished with 73 yards.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Receiver / Tight end: B-
It was a new world for Smith being the No. 1 receiver that drew cloud coverage. He didn’t see the ball much in the first half. But Smith stayed patient and caught two big passes in the second half, including a 31-yard over-the-shoulder grab in which he got both feet inbounds. He made it look easy.
Goedert picked up where he left off last season, catching two touchdowns a year after he had a team-high 11. His first touchdown came on the 17-yard seam route and then he scored from 43 yards out when he reversed field after an over-the-middle grab that sealed the game. Goedert led the Eagles with four catches for 77 yards.
Makai Lemon has a ways to go before he’s a steady contributor. The Eagles forced several passes to the rookie receiver on short passing concepts. He finished with three catches for minus-5 yards. The first catch of his career was a 3-yard dump, the second a 5-yard loss on a screen after Wicks missed a block, and third was another bubble in which he was dropped behind the line. Lemon was hardly at fault for the latter two negative plays. The blocking just wasn’t there.
Makai Lemon had a quiet NFL debut with minus-5 yards on three catches.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Wicks had a solid Eagles debut. He broke free over the top on a corner route on his 64-yard reception. Wicks ran a wicked stem route in which he beat cornerback Mike Sainristil on the 9-yard touchdown catch. There was some confusion at times. Smith had to signal to Wicks a few times for him to motion in the second quarter.
Eli Stowers was placed on injured reserve with hamstring and quadriceps injuries. The rookie tight end was unlikely to play much, if at all. Johnny Mundt had some solid moments as the main point of attack blocker on the run side, but no one had a great day trying to open holes in the ground game.
Offensive line: C
The pressure Hurts faced wasn’t all on the quarterback, just as it wasn’t all on the O-line. But there were multiple breakdowns up front, especially vs. left guard Landon Dickerson. He looked like a turnstile at times. Was Dickerson solely at fault? Of course not. But the oft-injured guard who’s as tough as they come appeared slower than even a year ago when he returned too early after knee surgery.
It was downright ugly in the third quarter when Dickerson got toasted on back-to-back rushes, one of which led to a holding penalty. Earlier, the Commanders’ Javon Kinlaw beat the guard for a run tackle for loss in the first quarter. Dickerson was late to help on a third-down stunt in which Hurts was hurried in the second quarter.
Center Cam Jurgens struggled, as well, particularly in the first quarter. He had a holding penalty when Barkley was nearly dropped in the backfield and then another when it was all on him after he grabbed defensive tackle Shy Tuttle. Right guard Tyler Steen had a tough time getting to the perimeter on a pull block, but he seemed to hold up much more than the other two interior O-linemen.
Tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata were far less at fault in the run blocking. But the O-line unit failed to work as a cohesive unit and everyone was affected. Mailata did turn linebacker Frankie Luvu around on a Barkley 5-yard tote in the first quarter. Johnson and Mailata were much better in pass protection, particularly in one-on-one situations.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after winning the season opening game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates a touchdown with Keyshawn James-Newby (center) and offensive tackle Lane Johnson during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo celebrates a two-point conversion stop late during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles stop the two point conversion attempt during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert celebrates his fourth quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert scores a fourth quarter touchdown past Commanders cornerback Darius Rush during the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert catches the football for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts first down run during the fourth quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerWashington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs hugs the goalpost after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. Unsportsmanlike penalty was called pushing the Commanders back.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerWashington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs scores in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches the ball for a big first down during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts gains fourteen yards on a run in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles place kicker Jake Elliott kicks a third quarter field goad during the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles cornerback Cooper DeJean stops Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith catches the ball against Commanders cornerback Darius Rush during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sacked in the third quarter by Washington Commanders linebacker Odafe Oweh at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambles on a third down during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles head coach Nick Sirianni racts during the third quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts passes to tight end Dallas Goedert late during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter celebrates a blocked extra point late during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts hands off to Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert congratulates Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks after a second quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni congratulates Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks after his second quarter touchdown at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith tries to block Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo goes after Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks celebrates a touchdown with Darius Cooper (left) and DeVonta Smith (right) during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles linebacker Zack Baun celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun stops Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt for a loss, Washington punts on the drive, at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley with a big run in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun sandwich Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles running back Saquon Barkley gains 42 yards during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert celebrates second quarter touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert spikes the ball after a touchdown in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles tight end Dallas Goedert catches a touchdown against Commanders safety Quan Martin during the second quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.nYong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles fans cheer in the first quarter of the season opener against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts reacts during the first quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerEagles wide receiver Makai Lemon catches the ball against Commanders cornerback Amik Robertson during the first quarter of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is sacked by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley misses a pass in the first quarter, defended by Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles, at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerEagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during a moment of silence before the start of the season opener against the Commanders Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs out of the tunnel at the season opener against the Washington Commanders in Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.Monica Herndon / Staff PhotographerPhiladelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs out of the tunnel during player introductions before the season opening game against the Washington Commanders in Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Philadelphia.David Maialetti / Staff PhotographerGreg Gorski, of Elkins Park, poses for a portrait while tailgating before the Eagles play the Commanders in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Defensive line: B+
The sacks weren’t in the stat sheet, but the Eagles’ front pressured Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels throughout the game. They should have against a suspect offensive line. Nevertheless, defensive tackle Jalen Carter pushed the pocket on many occasions. He had a third-down pressure that forced Daniels outside and unable to complete a pass downfield in the second quarter. Carter was too aggressive on a Jacory Croskey-Merritt 9-yard rush up the middle.
Jordan Davis was superb as a run defender and finished with eight tackles. Moro Ojomo made the game-sealing play when he wasn’t fooled by Washington’s shovel pass on their two-point try to tie the game.
With Jonathan Greenard (pectoral) still not cleared to return, Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith shouldered most of the load on the edges. They didn’t get to Daniels, and lost him at times when he scrambled, but they kept him from escaping when it mattered the most.
Zack Baun celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs during the second quarter.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Linebacker: A-
Zack Baun was the defensive player of the game. He was all over the field. Baun was a beast on back-to-back plays in the second quarter, breaking up a pass over the middle and notching a tackle for loss on a screen pass. Earlier, Baun lowered his head to stuff Rachaad White on third-and-1 in the first quarter. Carter chipped in for the stop. He nearly had a downfield interception before the half, but was out of bounds. He led the Eagles with 12 tackles.
To open the second half, Baun made an open-field stop on third down. Jihaad Campbell was the first to meet running back White when he was stopped on a third-down run on Washington’s first possession. Croskey-Merritt ran through his arm-tackle attempt on a 9-yard run. He got beat by tight end Chig Okonkwo’s 15-yard catch in the third quarter.
Cornerback: B
Cooper DeJean had a rough outing in the slot with outside corners Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen having the boundary sides on relative lockdown.
DeJean appeared to get dinged late in the first half after he allowed a catch over the middle. He got up and winced, but stayed in. Daniels was wise to go back at the slot corner and connected with rookie receiver Antonio Williams on in-breaking routes to the 1-yard line. Washington scored a touchdown on the next play.
Earlier, DeJean got turned around on a third-and-10 conversion. He committed an illegal-contact penalty in the third quarter. His blitz in the third quarter forced Daniels into an incompletion. And he made a tackle short of the sticks later in the quarter.
Mitchell made a stop on a short pass in the second quarter, while Woolen nearly got his hands on multiple balls in the first half.
Eagles safety Marcus Epps (right) makes a run stop in the first quarter.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Safety: B
The Eagles had some leaky moments in the middle of the field as Daniels was forced to throw between the numbers. But Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps and DeJean more than acquitted themselves. Mukuba might have been a touch late to help Campbell on Okonkwo’s 15-yarder.Epps came up from deep to make a run stop near the line in the first quarter. Epps left briefly with a shoulder injury, but returned in the second quarter.
There was no deep-middle help on Williams’ 33-yard grab in the fourth quarter.
Special teams: B+
Punter Braden Mann was fantastic. He averaged 51.6 yards on seven punts and dropped four inside the Washington 20. Mann pinned Washington deep at the 6-yard line on his first punt. Just before the half, Mann spun a six-iron down at the 2-yard line.
Kicker Jake Elliott split the upright all three of his kicks — a 35-yard field goal and two extra points.
Carter blocked the extra point after the Commanders’ first touchdown. Darius Cooper had some impressive moments as a gunner.
Britain Covey averaged 9.3 yards on four punt returns. Bigsby and Shipley averaged 25 yards on three returns combined.
Nick Sirianni moved to 6-0 in regular season openers with Sunday’s win.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Coaching: B
Coach Nick Sirianni moved to 6-0 in openers. He found a way to get it done despite some offensive sloppiness and late defensive letdowns. Still, Sirianni just knows how to win.
New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion will need time as a first-time play-caller. He had some rough calls, particularly in forcing the issue to Lemon. There were too many run calls that resulted in losses. The Eagles also didn’t look quite prepared for Washington’s simulated pressures.
Mannion had some solid calls in the first half, though, in which multiple receivers were open. He dialed up the Hurts-to-Wicks 64-yard bomb out of “13″ personnel and off play-action. Goedert was also wide-open underneath. Mannion’s four-verticals call that led to Goedert’s 17-yard score was also timely vs. Cover 2. Was he throwing shade as his predecessor with the call? Probably not, but it was ironic justice after last season’s fateful end. Earlier on the drive, tempo helped spring Barkley on the 42-yard inside zone run.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio got his players to mostly dominate. They had some rough turns, but they were also on the field far too much in the third quarter because of the offensive inefficiency. Fangio had a rough call when Campbell got matched up against a receiver downfield and the Commanders converted third-and-14 in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, his guys got the job done.
These are the most compelling conversations surrounding the Eagles’ coming season. Crazy, maybe, considering the success of each and their success in tandem, but here we are.
Hurts is under contract for three more seasons, but 2026 is his last season with substantial guaranteed money. Most teams with a $255 million franchise quarterback one season removed from winning a Super Bowl and its MVP award would have discussed an extension that would lock in that QB before the QB market inflates further, but the Eagles have not done that, according to a source. Why? Because Hurts regressed in 2025 and the Eagles are installing a new offense in 2026 and they want to see how he handles it.
Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni both have the equity that comes with a title and will be given a learning curve with a new offense. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Sirianni, of course, also is one season removed from winning a Super Bowl, a win that, according to an NFL source, earned him a four-year extension that pays him a $15 million salary through 2029. However, for the second time, Sirianni also lost the offensive coordinator that got him to the Super Bowl. Shane Steichen became the Colts’ head coach after 2022. Kellen Moore became the Saints’ head coach after 2024. Each time, Sirianni failed to replace them with a competent hire of his choosing, and owner Jeffrey Lurie and GM Howie Roseman got involved in pursuing the next coordinators. That’s why Moore got hired in 2024, and it’s why new coordinator Sean Mannion, a disciple of Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, is installing that new offense in 2026.
So, while they might be overblown, there are issues with both the quarterback and the coach. Any post-2026 divorce would mean that the Eagles would eat either salary-cap money or Sirianni’s paychecks, but Lurie has never been shy to move off a bad investment.
In the NFL, it’s always easier to replace a coach than a quarterback. After all, Doug Pederson and Sirianni won Super Bowls.
Ominous, no? Apparently, no.
Relax
An offseason of communications with various NFL sources indicated two things:
The Eagles do not consider 2026 to be a make-or-break season for either Hurts or Sirianni. That’s because …
Installing an offense that is so philosophically different than what’s come before it is not a 17-game undertaking. It’s a two-season project.
This makes perfect sense.
It is the proper way to view the matter.
I’ll admit, it’s not the way I viewed the matter this spring. I thought Hurts’ limitations as a passer and decision-maker should imperil his status past 2026. I thought Sirianni’s inability to mature and his lack of offensive innovation should imperil his status as well.
I came around.
Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman both understand that Sean Mannion’s (right) offensive installation will be a work in progress. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Several NFL insiders said that this season should not be crucial for either the coach or the QB. Why?
Because, as long as the 2026 season doesn’t deteriorate into disaster, and as long as there is promise in December that the Birds can win big as soon as next season, the Eagles will have a better foundation than ever. They could be building something that lasts for the next decade. Mannion likely won’t be here for that long, since top offensive coordinators usually get hired as head coaches as soon as they show any aptitude. But Hurts is only 28. Sirianni can become a legend in Philly. That’s what the Eagles‘ brain trust wants.
My guys
Lurie is proud of acquiring both Hurts and Sirianni while the rest of the league laughed. As such, he is as invested in them as he was invested in Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb.
Also, Lurie is 74. He’s groomed his son, Julian, to replace him at the top. What better gift to give your princeling than a stable kingdom? As such, stability through change takes time.
Lurie and Roseman realize there will be speed bumps. The offense won’t work smoothly immediately. Mannion will virtually have carte blanche in regard to concepts, Sirianni will have final say over who is asked to do what, and Hurts won’t be asked to do things he’s uncomfortable doing.
However, as long as Hurts shows improvement as the season progresses, his future in Philly will be secure.
And as long as Sirianni commits to the concepts Mannion installs, and displays a willingness to adhere to them when Mannion moves on, his future in Philly also will be locked down.
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni with owner Jeffrey Lurie before a joint practice with the New England Patriots last month. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
I’ve known Lurie for 30 years, Roseman for 25. They don’t always tell whole truths, but they seemed particularly comfortable and, frankly, honest when, this offseason, they were asked about the futures of Hurts and Sirianni.
Asked last Wednesday on 94-WIP if this was a make-or-break season for Hurts, Roseman replied, “No, I don’t agree with that.”
Asked by reporters in April to review Sirianni’s five-year tenure, Lurie replied, “His performance has been nothing short of outstanding.”
All of this sounds pleasant now, before the first whistle blows. All of this could change drastically. The Eagles’ battered offensive line is being held together by athletic tape and stem cells. The team traded malcontent franchise receiver A.J. Brown, and his replacement, rookie Makai Lemon, doesn’t look ready for the NFL. There’s no proof that superstar running back Saquon Barkley, who carried the club in 2024 when he was 27, didn’t lose a step in 2025 when he was 28; now, he’s 29.
They host a desperate Commanders defense to start the season Sunday, travel to Chicago — where the Bears won a playoff game last season — for Game 3, then host Aaron Donald, Myles Garrett, and the fearsome Rams in Game 4.
There’s a very real chance that the Eagles’ new offense sputters in the first month of the season. There’s a very real chance that Lurie and Roseman become impatient and change their current long-range views regarding the head coach and the quarterback.
For now, though, they seem willing to give them every best chance.
Howie Roseman has all the pieces laid out in front as he whittles the Eagles’ 91-man roster down to 53 players ahead of Sunday’s 6 p.m. deadline.
Most of the team is in place, but it isn’t like some piece of furniture from IKEA with specific parts. Roseman will build his makeshift roster by balancing the Eagles’ immediate needs with the long-term, while also factoring in injury variables, the salary cap, and other potential moves.
The general manager is scanning the rest of the NFL for upgrades at positions in question. He’s yet to make any trades since camp started, but no one likes to wheel and deal as much as Roseman. C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jahan Dotson are just two of the players Roseman acquired in and around this time.
Wide receiver, tight end, and safety are among potential areas that could be addressed.
The 16-man practice squad will also afford the Eagles a landing spot for vested veterans, players they will taxi up on game days, or prospects they hope to develop. So while only 53 will make the initial cut, Roseman considers his roster a 69-man outfit (70 if they have an international prospect).
It is an ever-evolving list that will likely change ahead of the season opener vs. the Commanders on Sept. 13. But for one fleeting moment there will be those who make it, and those who don’t. Here’s one beat reporter’s predictions:
Andy Dalton is a candidate to be moved, which would slot Tanner McKee in as the No. 2 quarterback. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Dalton’s play this summer hasn’t earned him the No. 2 job. McKee has been only marginally better, but has shown improvement. The best man doesn’t always win. But the educated guess here is that Roseman will trade Dalton to a backup-needy team — of which there are many. He may need to keep all four quarterbacks past Sunday’s deadline to get what he wants in return, however.
Payton has displayed more than last year’s rookie project — Kyle McCord — and probably wouldn’t pass through waivers if the Eagles consider stowing him on the practice squad.
Running backs (3): Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley.
Cut: Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele, Jordan Mims.
Practice squad: Steele.
A position of strength, the top three running backs have virtually been locked into place since the start of camp. Shipley’s development made Pierce expendable. Steele’s preseason film could make him a waiver claim. His fullback experience — which he never got to show in camp — makes him a versatile practice squad possibility.
Hollywood Brown (0) did not have the best training camp but the guess is that he stays.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Wide receivers (5): DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper.
Injured reserve: Johnny Wilson.
Cut: Elijah Moore, Britain Covey, Quez Watkins, Danny Gray, Samori Toure, Erik Ezukanma, Tahj Washington.
Practice squad: Moore, Covey.
There was little chance the Eagles could replace A.J. Brown with just one player, so Roseman went the by-committee route with Lemon as the biggest investment. A nagging hamstring injury has stunted the first-round draft pick’s early development. Wicks solidified the No. 2 outside spot, but there’s a significant dropoff after Smith. That Cooper, who cooled off after a hot summer start, is the only receiver with some size could also be of concern.
Moore performed better than Hollywood Brown in camp, but the latter is guaranteed $5 million. He also has a proven track record. Moore is also primarily a slot and that job belongs to Lemon — for better or worse. Maybe he’s an early-season practice squad call-up to offset the rookie’s expected learning curve. Covey’s been down this road before and could stick on the practice squad, unless Lemon can field punts right away.
Tight end Cameron Latu’s ability to play fullback could help him stick on the roster. Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Tight ends (4): Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers, Cameron Latu.
Cut: Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt.
Practice squad: Calcaterra, Jenkins.
Tight end has overtaken safety as the most likely area Roseman might address via trade or by some other means. The Eagles were probably expecting Stowers to need time, especially when it came to blocking. But he rarely practiced with Hurts, if at all, and recently suffered a setback with his hamstring. Redshirting the second-rounder would set off alarms, so it’s unlikely Roseman takes that route.
But a swap — or signing a veteran like Zach Ertz off the street — would also speak volumes. Goedert is still a competent “Y” receiver, while Mundt will shoulder some of the “F” blocking responsibilities. But tight ends often need to be dual-purpose within Sean Mannion’s new Kyle Shanahan-style scheme and neither is as competent in the opposite discipline.
If Stowers isn’t healthy by the opener, or is unable to contribute on special teams in the early going, Latu seems the likely fourth option. He can also fill the fullback role if Mannion adds that wrinkle to the offense.
Offensive linemen (10): Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Micah Morris, Fred Johnson.
Cut: John Ojukwu, Jake Majors, Michael Jordan, Cameron Williams, Myles Hinton, Zeke Correll.
Practice squad: Ojukwu, Majors, Williams.
The starting five — among the best units in the NFL when healthy — has long been predictable. In question entering camp was if the youngsters would be viable backups. The answer appears to be a provisional yes after a promising summer of Bell, Kendall and Lampkin working with Jeff Stoutland replacement Chris Kuper. Ultimately, they have to go out there and do it against actual starters when called upon.
And that time will most likely come. Jurgens has looked more nimble than he did a year ago after back surgery. But Dickerson may be put together by Scotch tape and chewing gum after multiple injuries, while the 36-year-old Lane Johnson is entering his likely final season. Bell may have beat out Fred Johnson for the swing tackle spot, but the latter has helped the Eagles through multiple injuries the previous two seasons. He’s the last guy on here, but may not survive.
There also isn’t an obvious second reserve tackle with Williams and Hinton still not close to ready.
How the Eagles will handle International Player Pathway program Uar Bernard’s (93) case bears watching. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Defensive tackles (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard.
Cut: Gabe Hall, Zion Wilson, David Blay.
Practice squad: Hall, Wilson.
Roseman has balanced winning in the short term vs. building for the long term better than most franchises (see: Mailata). Bernard has a ways to go before he sees the field in the regular season. But the Eagles have that luxury with significant depth at defensive tackle.
Carter, Davis and Ojomo give defensive coordinator Vic Fangio a formidable interior. Young and especially Robinson have taken steps forward in the offseason. Bernard, the International Player Pathway (IPP) program project the Eagles drafted in the seventh round, could befall injury and save a roster spot. But he wouldn’t be able to practice with the team while on injured reserve.
Edges (6): Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, A.J. Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie, Joshua Weru.
Cut: Keyshawn James-Newby, Jose Ramirez, Tarron Jackson.
Practice squad: James-Newby.
Roseman’s continued investment in the trenches influences the roster makeup. Fangio has said he can get away with just a three-man rotation on the edge, which would theoretically not make it necessary to stockpile at the position. But Greenard’s pectoral muscle tear and Weru’s potential ceiling should make keeping as many as six here a necessity.
Fangio has hinted that Greenard may not suit up for Week 1, but if the veteran edge is going to be out for significantly longer he’ll likely stay on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That would open a roster spot. Hunt and Smith, meanwhile, appear better equipped to start than they were a year ago.
Epenesa was a solid late spring addition. Ebiketie hasn’t stood out, and could be a surprise cut. But Weru, like Bernard an IPP project, needs polishing and strengthening. There’s little doubt another team would be willing to snatch the undrafted rookie off waivers.
Zack Baun (left) and Jihaad Campbell are linchpins of the defense. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Fangio has openly touted his depth at off-ball linebacker. He still harps on Jihaad Campbell’s mental inconsistency, but the former first-rounder has all the tools to thrive alongside Baun. Trotter has starter capabilities. He and Mondon will be core special teams performers.
Chance Campbell has put solid preseason film out there. Could he or Mondon be trade bait for a tight end or safety?
Cornerbacks (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams.
Mitchell, DeJean and Woolen — provided the latter keeps ascending — give the Eagles an impressive trio. If the outside guys were to get injured, DeJean would likely be the replacement. Fangio might want his third corner to come off the bench, but no one has made a claim to that spot. Jones was the best candidate. He has 78 career starts. But a shoulder injury got in the way and he wasn’t all that impressive before the setback.
Ringo can be a frustrating player on defense. But he has talent and length and ably fills the gunner role on special teams. McWilliams gets the benefit of being a former draft pick, but the second-year former fifth-rounder isn’t guaranteed anything. The same could be said for Bennett, who has also missed time to injury, and hasn’t justified the trade that sent Thomas Booker IV to the Raiders.
Michael Carter II acquitted himself well in the starting safety competition but fell just short. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
Safeties (3): Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II.
Cut: Cole Wisniewski, Maximus Pulley, Andre Sam, Kapena Gushiken, Jaylen Mahoney.
Practice squad: Wisniewski, Pulley, Sam.
DeJean will play safety in base personnel, while Epps has all but won the nickel spot. Carter gave him a run for his money and may end up there at some point. But his versatility has been a blessing and a curse. He’s had to learn multiple spots in the secondary and never got the chance to major at safety. Carter allows Fangio the luxury of moving DeJean to outside corner if needed.
Wisniewski has just been hurt too much to warrant a roster spot at this point. Pulley and Sam have done enough to sneak in, but extra safeties are what the practice squad is for.
Specialists (2): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann.
Cut: Rocco Underwood.
Practice squad: Underwood.
Elliott faced no competition in camp after successive down seasons. The Eagles believe he will return to form, but how long could his leash be if he continues to miss key kicks? He had a decent camp, but wasn’t as automatic as in years past.
The flexibility of the practice squad has made it a more suitable spot for most long snappers. Underwood hasn’t made any glaring snafus, but experts can see he’s not yet elite. So the Eagles won’t have to worry about losing him to waivers and can scour the wire after teams with two long snappers get to 53.
The Eagles held the sixth practice of their 2026 training camp on Wednesday at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. Here were my observations from Day 6 (and links to Days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5):
Roll call
Tackle Lane Johnson missed a fourth straight practice for an excused noninjury related reason. He’s expected to return soon, from what I understand. Landon Dickerson took a non-injury-related rest day. The Eagles will be careful with their oft-injured left guard. Dickerson was spotted jogging midway through practice with a sleeve on his left leg.
Wide receiver Britain Covey was a new addition to the injury list. He left Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring injury. The following remained injured and out: receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring), receiver Makai Lemon (hamstring), edge Keyshawn James-Newby (ankle) and safety Cole Wisniewski (hamstring).
Rookie guards Micah Morris (shoulder) and Jaeden Roberts (calf contusion) returned to practice, but were limited.
Vic Fangio noted that defense has traditionally had the upper hand early in Eagles training camp. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Vic’s secret
After two straight days in full pads, coach Nick Sirianni dialed the intensity back. Players wore only shells for a 75-minute session — the shortest of camp thus far. Sean Mannion’s offense, overall, executed better after a difficult Tuesday vs. Vic Fangio’s defense.
“I told him, we obviously got the best of yesterday’s practice by a long shot,” Fangio said when asked about Mannion’s play-calling. “But that’s the way it’s been the last two years in training camp. The defense has gotten the best of the offense. So, not to be too concerned.”
I don’t think Fangio was puffing his chest out or anything. He was just being the truth teller that he can often be. He was also adding context. Defenses are traditionally ahead early in camp, especially when the offense is new. But I’m not so sure about his last comment. I’d be concerned if there were any similarities to last year’s offense.
Michael Carter II got some run with the first unit on Wednesday. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
Cast and crew
Mannion’s first unit likely benefitted from four key defensive starters — linebacker Zack Baun, defensive back Cooper DeJean and cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen — being held out of team drills. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Michael Carter II, Jonathan Jones and Kelee Ringo played in their spots.
With the offense down three starters, it might have made sense to even the playing field. Rookie Markel Bell and second-year offensive lineman Drew Kendall filled in for Johnson and Dickerson at right tackle and left guard, respectively.
It’s been a by-committee approach at receiver, especially with the bona fide No. 1 sidelined. Dontayvion Wicks has thus far made the best case to be Smith’s No. 2. He may have a leg up on the others, having played in the Kyle Shanahan-style scheme Mannion brought with him from Green Bay. But there has also been obvious rapport between quarterback Jalen Hurts and the former Packers receiver. Hurts delivered a 20-yardish strike to Wicks just ahead of arriving safety Andre’ Sam in seven-on-sevens on Wednesday.
Darius Cooper has looked good early in camp. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
If the receiver competition was based on the first week alone, Darius Cooper would have the edge on the other combatants. I said this to someone the other day: “If Lemon was having the camp Cooper was having, every reporter would be hyping the first-round rookie.” The Eagles have to take everything into account, of course. Veterans Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore have been unspectacular in camp, but also have proven track records, even if both have seen their numbers decline in recent years.
Cooper should be a lock for the roster, though. I know some have viewed the fifth receiver spot as a toss-up between him and Johnny Wilson. But Cooper has more upside, despite Wilson’s size and Sirianni’s appreciation for his blocking. Cooper didn’t make any splash catches on Wednesday. Hurts dropped a beauty to him in the back corner of the end zone, but the receiver couldn’t stick the landing after he dove for the ball.
Dallas Goedert and the tight ends were heavily featured on Wednesday. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Tighter ends
On cue, Dallas Goedert and the tight ends were featured in the passing game a day after I noted that they’ve been relatively quiet in that regard. Hurts went to tight ends on his first two dropbacks in seven-on-sevens. Goedert hauled in the first on a slant, while E.J. Jenkins couldn’t on a similar route from the other side of the formation.
Goedert caught another pass during the period on a short buttonhook and he was again Hurts’ first target in team drills. The tight end hung on despite linebacker Jihaad Campbell being in close quarters. Campbell later reached out and broke up a pass to receiver Samori Toure.
With Johnny Mundt often the second blocking tight end in under-center scenarios, Grant Calcaterra has gotten receiving opportunities on third downs. He appeared to short-arm a toss from Hurts with Ringo in the vicinity.
Even Cam Latu has seen more passes thrown his way than rookie tight end Eli Stowers. The Eagles are clearly not rushing their second-round draft pick. He’s low on the depth chart and has mostly run with the third offense. Stowers is a relative newcomer to the position. He switched from quarterback to tight end just three years ago and he wasn’t asked to block a ton at Vanderbilt.
Eli Stowers’ (87) acclimation to NFL-style blocking technique has been slow. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
So he has a lot to digest, beyond just the Xs and Os of a new scheme. Stowers is on the smaller side so learning the proper technique in blocking will be crucial. It could be some time before he’s placed in those circumstances. But he could get on the field on obvious passing downs. I found it interesting that he was split wide in the development period. The ball came his way, but cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields was on his hip and broke up a pass that was thrown slightly behind.
Running on empty
There was a fair amount of run game activity. Saquon Barkley didn’t have much room to operate on his carries. Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo knifed past Kendall on one Barkley carry. Outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt set the edge and helped contain the running back on an outside zone run. Nose tackle Jordan Davis easily defeated center Cam Jurgens one-on-one and picked up a tackle for loss.
Linebacker Jalyx Hunt defended the run well on Wednesday. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
I hesitate to mention Jurgens in the negative because he’s otherwise had a strong start to camp. He’s poised to bounce back from last season’s setback. Tank Bigsby had a few touches out of the backfield, as well, but he’s been featured more as a receiver than Barkley. He got Campbell to commit pass interference with a double move in the open field.
Running back Will Shipley had a shaky start to camp, but I thought he showed up on Day 6, particularly in the run game. He had two strong rushes up the middle when he got skinny through his blocks. He also picked up Trotter’s blitz later on.
On the bubble
Michael Carter II got a strong endorsement from Fangio before practice. I’m not sure if he’ll beat out Marcus Epps for the nickel safety spot, but he could have the sixth defensive back role in dime personnel locked down. Speaking of locking down, he ran step for step with receiver Danny Gray on a corner route into the end zone. When he ball sailed out of reach, Carter popped up and gave Gray a double thumbs-down.
Fangio said not to sleep on linebacker Chance Campbell’s chances of making the 53-man roster. Tackle Cam Williams took Campbell out at the second level on the run play and that was the last I saw the linebacker until he was walking with a trainer to the medical tent. He seemed fine later on, but didn’t return to play.
Tanner McKee (16) has not looked sharp at times while working in the new offense. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
Quarterbacking up
Tanner McKee was first up with the second unit offense in seven-on-sevens, but Andy Dalton took more team repetitions. The quarterbacks continue to slug it out for the backup spot. Dalton found Wilson open on a crossing route. He hit Quez Watkins on a short pass and the receiver hit the afterburners when cornerback Ambry Thomas took a bad angle. Defensive tackle Ty Robinson pressured Dalton into a throwaway.
McKee just hasn’t looked as sharp as he did last camp. He doesn’t have the luxury of working with the same unit as he did a year ago. That’s no excuse, but he has struggled to throw the ball downfield, especially with the third unit. He finally found an open man down the seam, but tight end Stone Smartt dropped the ball like he had hands of brick.
Extra points
Hurts had a couple dashes into space on the ground — once when he kept the ball on a run-pass option and another on a scramble when his receivers were tied up in man coverage. … Tempers flared for a second straight day. Linebacker Smael Mondon and tackle John Ojukwu got into a brief altercation, as did tackle Fred Johnson and edge A.J. Epenesa. … Gunslinger Cole Payton tossed another interception when he heaved a pass into a crowded area and the ball deflected to Castro-Fields. … Former Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin attended camp. He said it was the first time he’s been back at the practice facility since he was a player. … The Eagles have a closed walkthrough on Thursday before returning to practice on Friday.
The Eagles reported to training camp Tuesday and hit the field Wednesday for their first official workout of the 2026 season.
The Sean Mannion era is here, the A.J. Brown era is over, and Nick Sirianni’s sixth training camp is underway as the Eagles again have a roster capable of making a deep playoff run.
Good teams like theirs mean fewer opportunities to get on the initial 53-man roster, which means there will be plenty of competition in camp. And while most of the starting jobs are spoken for, this Eagles training camp still has its share of intriguing position battles to pay attention to.
Here’s a closer look at six of them:
It’s Marcus Epps’ (right) job to lose at safety, but he’ll be pushed. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Safety: Will Marcus Epps hold off the field?
It’s worth starting with safety because it’s one of the few spots on the field where a starter is written in pencil and not pen.
If you’ve been paying any attention to the Eagles since the spring, you know that Cooper DeJean is slated to move from nickel to safety in base defense. But the Eagles, like most NFL defenses, use nickel and dime packages much more often than base. So the spot next to Andrew Mukuba mostly will be manned by someone not named DeJean.
Vic Fangio indicated that Marcus Epps is in the pole position for the job to replace Reed Blankenship, but the 30-year-old will have to earn it. There will be competition from converted nickel Michael Carter II, seventh-round pick Cole Wisniewski, veteran special teamer J.T. Gray, and long shots like Andre’ Sam, Kapena Gushiken, and Maximus Pulley.
Don’t count out another roster addition, too, if Howie Roseman decides the Eagles need to upgrade the safety spot.
The progress of Hollywood Brown (0) in training camp figures to have an impact on the wide receiver depth chart. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Wide receiver: Who gets the final spots?
The top of the depth chart is basically set. Life after Brown means DeVonta Smith is WR1, but the order behind him needs some sorting out.
The Eagles were in 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers) nearly 60% of the time in 2025. There’s a new coordinator in town, and the Packers were slightly below the Eagles in that type of usage, but expect some of the same in 2026.
Who joins Smith on the field in three-receiver sets? In a perfect world, the Eagles would want Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon to get the bulk of those reps, but Hollywood Brown was brought in to be a vertical threat and should force his way onto the field. Those personnel packages will work themselves out.
Smith, Lemon, Wicks, and Brown are locks. It’s beyond them where the real training-camp battling begins.
Will the Eagles keep five receivers or six? Sirianni loves the “dirty work” Darius Cooper and Johnny Wilson do, but is keeping them both redundant? Can Elijah Moore prove he’s worth keeping around? Britain Covey, meanwhile, still wants to show he’s the best kick-returning option in camp.
What’s the vision for Andy Dalton (left) as the depth chart stacks up behind Jalen Hurts?Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Quarterback: Will Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee back up Jalen Hurts?
The Eagles have a quarterback controversy. Sort of.
Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee alternated reps with the second-team offense during the offseason program, and it’s unclear which is the preferred backup to Jalen Hurts.
The team also drafted Cole Payton in the fifth round, and it seems pretty unlikely they make room for four quarterbacks on the initial 53-man roster given the talent elsewhere.
So, what gives?
The Eagles would love to find a trade partner for McKee, who is entering the final year of his contract. But if they can’t, does that put Dalton in jeopardy of being cut (or traded)? Payton is a bit of an unknown, but he has an intriguing athletic profile, and while the Eagles cut a sixth-round draft pick last year (Kyle McCord), they probably would be hesitant to expose Payton to waivers given his traits. Otherwise, maybe he joins Clayton Thorson as a recent fifth-round pick who hits the chopping block.
Third-round tackle Markel Bell has a chance to make an immediate impact. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Swing tackle: Can rookie Markel Bell supplant Fred Johnson?
Considering how much time Lane Johnson missed last season, and Jordan Mailata’s stint on injured reserve in 2024, the swing tackle is a pretty important job.
The Eagles brought back Fred Johnson in free agency because they know how important the backup tackle position is. They then used a third-round pick on Markel Bell, the 6-foot-9 tackle out of Miami. It was a bit surprising the Eagles waited until the 68th pick to select a tackle, but they like Bell a lot, and the big man has plenty of upside.
Which tackle will be first up if Lane Johnson or Mailata misses time? It was Bell who got the first nod filling in for Lane Johnson during OTAs, but Bell missed the final minicamp workout of the spring due to an undisclosed injury.
Who will emerge from camp as the preferred option?
A.J. Epenesa was a solid edge contributor on a generally strong Bills defense in recent years. Gary McCullough
Edge rusher: Will A.J. Epenesa show his worth?
This group is pretty similar to wide receiver. The Eagles are set at the top. It’s Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, and Nolan Smith Jr. Sure, there’s some interest in which of Hunt or Smith gets more snaps, but the top three edge rushers will see plenty of the field.
Behind them is where it gets interesting. Arnold Ebiketie signed a deal that could be worth around $7 million and is the clear No. 4 as camp begins.
Will the Eagles keep five or six here? They kept five last year and six the year prior in Fangio’s first season.
The Eagles made an interesting signing at the end of the offseason program in June, agreeing to a one-year deal with A.J. Epenesa.
Epenesa’s sack total fell from six in 2024 to just 2½ last season, but he had a better pressure rate (10.6%) in a reduced role with the Bills. He is the biggest edge rusher in the building by 2 inches at 6-6, a size that could be useful in helping set the edge against the run.
Epenesa will be in competition with seventh-round pick Keyshawn James-Newby, an undersized but speedy edge, as well as Jose Ramirez. The Eagles also have Joshua Weru, an International Pathway Player, in camp.
Kelee Ringo (left) is among those seeking a corner job. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Cornerback: Can the Eagles find a trade partner for a bottom-of-the-depth-chart corner?
The Eagles could have the best cornerback trio in the NFL this season in Quinyon Mitchell, DeJean (nickel), and Riq Woolen, but behind them at corner are jobs up for grabs.
Veteran free-agent signing Jonathan Jones probably is a lock to take a roster spot given his 10 years of experience and inside-out versatility. Who claims the remaining spots will be determined in part by how many corners the Eagles decide to keep. They kept six last year, but could a player at a different position — like reserving a roster spot for defensive tackle Uar Bernard to not expose him to waivers — force them to go with five?
That would leave one spot for Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett, and Mac McWilliams.
Ringo probably would be the preferred candidate there given his special-teams talent. The Eagles could also keep six and have spots for two of them.
It’s also possible that Roseman finds himself looking to offload one of them via trade in August.
Fullback: Is it 1996? The Eagles may have a fullback competition in camp between Carson Steele and Cameron Latu. Latu is listed as a tight end, but he’s more of an H back who blocks well and plays special teams.
Interior offensive line: Who would be first in line to back up Landon Dickerson or Tyler Steen? Right now, it’s probably Drew Kendall, who also is the backup center. After that, veteran guard Michael Jordan will try to edge out a group that includes sixth-round pick Micah Morris. Keep an eye on Myles Hinton, too. The second-year lineman took some reps at guard after entering the league as a tackle. The back end of the offensive-line group will be a fun battle to track.
Tight end: Dallas Goedert and second-round pick Eli Stowers are locks. Johnny Mundt’s blocking skills should lock him up a spot, too. With that in mind, it’s hard to imagine Grant Calcaterra, intriguing UDFA Dae’Quan Wright, or Stone Smartt earning a job, especially given the aforementioned skills that Latu brings to the table.
