The way I'd frame the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 1 win over the Washington Commanders? I'd say it's a performance to build on.
The offense as a collective clearly needs to be better. They only managed 10 first downs on Sunday … the fewest of any team in the league so far.
Maybe Sean Mannion's group can get it going against the Tennessee ****** ans? The Eagles are entering Week 2 as seven-point road favorites, according to FanDuel.
This after the ****** ans, now coached by Robert Saleh, lost to the New York Jets by a final score of 23 to 10. Geno Smith completed 19 of 24 attempts for 215 yards and a 104 passer rating. The Jets' top two running backs combined for 142 rushing yards and one touchdown on 32 carries (4.4 average).
Until we actually see the Eagles prove they can block better, it might be hard to fully believe it. But you have to feel good about Jalen Hurts' ability to make plays for this team after watching what he did against the Commanders. You also have to like Vic Fangio's chances of being able to stifle the ****** ans' offense, which managed a mere 195 yards yesterday. That's 123 fewer yards than the Eagles managed to muster in Week 1.

#Eagles #team

Hello! I'm back this year with BGN, as always, and I'll have two review articles and two preview articles every week. If you missed the first preview of the year, make sure you check it out here.
The same Week 1 warning applies here. Washington's new offensive coordinator, David Blough, has never called an NFL offense, so there is no real film that tells us exactly what Vic Fangio will be preparing for. We can make educated guesses based on Blough's background and what Blough has said publicly, but anyone claiming to know precisely what this offense will look like is guessing.
It's really hard for me not to spend the whole article comparing Sean Mannion and David Blough, but the similarities are so obvious. Blough only stopped playing quarterback recently and spent the past two seasons as Washington's ******* istant quarterbacks coach under Kingsbury. Before that, his playing career put him around a wide range of offensive coaches, including Ben Johnson in Detroit and Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota. Washington has also been open about wanting to move away from some of the philosophical elements of Kingsbury's offense, particularly by becoming more balanced and using more under-center play action. Sound familiar?!
Blough's challenge is deciding how much to change. Daniels has already spent two seasons getting comfortable in Kingsbury's system, particularly operating from shotgun, using tempo, and using his legs a lot. Daniels looks like someone suited to a shotgun, spread-heavy RPO offense.
Throwing all of that away would make very little sense. At the same time, Washington didn't change coordinators because it wanted the exact same offense, so I would expect the eventual structure to keep some of the shotgun and RPO elements Daniels already excels at while adding more motion, heavier personnel, under-center formations, and a more connected run and play-action game. Once again… sound familiar?!

#offense #same #washington

The Eagles' defense will probably be ahead of the offense to start the 2026 season, and that should prove positive for a unit that's completely meshed with their legendary defensive coordinator. Third down is where Vic Fangio's creativity and the Eagles' defensive versatility should become most apparent. Philadelphia can use Cooper DeJean and Michael Carter II together, move Jalen Carter across the defensive front, and rotate several edge rushers without sacrificing coverage on the backend. Fangio could remove traditional positions entirely when Philadelphia reaches obvious passing situations.
With Washington presenting a mobile quarterback and multiple receiving threats, here is what the Eagles' third-down defense could look like in Week 1.
A likely third-and-long package would feature Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo inside, with Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt or Jonathan Greenard rushing from the edges. Jihaad Campbell could join the rush from several alignments. Zack Baun would remain as the primary linebacker because of his coverage ability and understanding of Fangio's scheme.
The secondary could include Riq Woolen and Quinyon Mitchell outside, Cooper DeJean and Michael Carter II inside, and Andrew Mukuba as the deepest safety. Marcus Epps or another pass rusher would claim the final position depending on the distance.
DeJean gives Fangio the ability to disguise the coverage. He can begin near the line of scrimmage before dropping to safety, blitz from the slot, or match a tight end. Carter can cover a traditional slot receiver and allow DeJean to move elsewhere.

#Eagles #defensive

The Philadelphia Eagles are less than ten days away from opening up the 2026 regular season, and it wouldn't be shocking to see the defense far ahead of a revamped offensive unit. Vic Fangio's defense is among the NFL's best, and his personnel will change with the situation, making a traditional 11-player depth chart less useful than identifying his primary packages.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo should anchor the defensive line, with Ty Robinson and Byron Young rotating heavily enough to receive meaningful snaps. Carter will remain the interior pass-rush centerpiece, while Davis' conditioning should allow him to handle another substantial workload.
Nolan Smith is projected to start on one edge. Jonathan Greenard was acquired to start opposite him, but his uncertain Week 1 availability could push Jalyx Hunt into the opening lineup. Epenesa and Ebiketie provide experienced rotational depth. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell give the Eagles two linebackers capable of rushing, covering, and defending the run. Trotter should remain involved, particularly in packages that allow Campbell to move toward the line of scrimmage.
Riq Woolen and Quinyon Mitchell project as the outside cornerbacks, with Cooper DeJean operating from the slot. DeJean's versatility also allows Fangio to move him to safety and insert Carter into the nickel role. Mukuba and Epps are the projected starting safeties, but Philadelphia's actual secondary could contain six defensive backs on obvious passing downs.
The depth gives Fangio several options. The primary Week 1 question is whether Philadelphia can generate enough edge pressure if Greenard is unavailable.

#fangio

The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2026 season with a re-energized roster talented enough to compete for another Super Bowl appearance, but the path through the NFC will require several prominent players to perform at or near their ceilings.
While the loss of A.J. Brown is tough, Philadelphia's front office strengthened the secondary, added more options on offense, and replenished several key positions with young talent. Still, championship teams ultimately rely on their foundational players when injuries accumulate, the schedule becomes more challenging, and postseason games are decided by a handful of snaps.
With the regular season approaching, here are the 10 Eagles most important to a potential Super Bowl run.
Everything begins with Hurts, who will be responsible for directing Sean Mannion's offense while maintaining the efficiency and ball security that defined his 2025 season. Philadelphia can win games with its offensive line, running game, and defense, but its Super Bowl ceiling remains connected to its quarterback. Hurts must distribute the football, punish defenses through the air, and continue creating problems as a runner without exposing himself to unnecessary contact.
Carter possesses the talent to become the NFL's most disruptive interior defender. His ability to collapse the pocket, command double-teams, and destroy running plays can change the structure of Vic Fangio's entire defense. With questions surrounding the consistency of Philadelphia's edge rush, Carter generating pressure from the middle will be essential.

#several #players #offense

The Philadelphia Eagles possess one of the NFL's most complete rosters, but even championship contenders enter every season with players who must step up and provide more.
The Birds are stacked with young players and key veterans preparing to inherit larger roles. Others are veterans attempting to reestablish themselves after uneven performances. As the season opener against Washington looms,t here are a handful of players on the roster who need to take another jump.
Here are five Eagles who must improve during the 2026 season.
Smith enters a pivotal stage of his development after having his fifth-year option exercised. His speed and effort have never been questioned, but Philadelphia needs him to become a more consistent pass-rushing threat who can win without being schemed into favorable situations. Jonathan Greenard, A.J. Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie and Jalyx Hunt give Vic Fangio options on the edge. Smith must separate himself by finishing pressures and holding up against the run.
Steen's physical ability has always made him an intriguing option along the interior offensive line. Now, the Eagles need dependable week-to-week production from a player who has Pro Bowl potential. He must play with better balance in pass protection, recognize pressure more quickly, and eliminate the lapses that can derail otherwise productive possessions. A strong season in a contract year would stabilize the offensive line and reduce the need to accelerate the development of Philadelphia's younger blockers.

#Eagles #philadelphia #Veterans

Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter received record-setting contract extensions this offseason, but neither defensive tackle views financial security as a reason to become comfortable. During his appearance on "Takeoff with John Clark," Davis spoke strongly about a close-knit Eagles defensive line that holds its members accountable before position coach Clint Hurtt needs to intervene.
That approach extends to conditioning.
Vic Fangio challenged Davis to improve his conditioning after arriving in Philadelphia, and the results were evident during Davis' breakout 2025 season. Fangio also established a target weight for Carter, who arrived for mandatory minicamp in improved shape. Davis said Fangio remains involved throughout the offseason, occasionally calling players to ask about their workouts and progress. Head coach Nick Sirianni shares that commitment because both coaches understand how conditioning can affect performance late in games and deep into the season.
The responsibility does not stop with Davis and Carter. Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson and the other defensive linemen exchange observations and accept coaching from one another regardless of experience or draft status.
That willingness to listen has helped create one of Philadelphia's closest position groups.

#offseason #position

Last season, Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little drilled a 68-yard field goal that became the longest field goal ever made in an NFL game. That kick was actually shorter than the 70-yarder he hit during the preseason. Then, just last week, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker hit a 69-yarder of his own.
Absurdly long field goals are becoming a pattern in the NFL, and it's almost surely going to continue this year.
Over the past few seasons, the NFL has quietly made some changes to its kicking **** that seem to have made things noticeably easier on kickers. That, coupled with the recent kickoff changes that have made a drastic impact on starting field position, has led to an increase in incredibly long field goals.
Ahead of the 2025 season, the NFL quietly passed a resolution that allowed teams to prepare their kicking **** – known in the league as "K-balls" – before game day, rather than during game day. The change got very little publicity, likely because **** ody really expected the change to make a drastic difference. But it seems to have, and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio took notice.
Following a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in which kicker Chase McLaughlin hit a 65-yard field goal and a 58-yard field goal, Fangio brought up the quiet rule change, saying that it made a "drastic" impact on the kicking game. Fangio said the impact has been so drastic that he compared it to the steroid era of Major League Baseball.

#game #drastic #yard #kicking

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Eagles lost 24-21 to the New England Patriots on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium, but it was not a bad night.
Many of their players stood out positively. So for this edition of winners and losers, we have seven winners and two losers.
Let's begin ...
Trotter is in a tough situation for his own development. He is a starting-caliber linebacker stuck in one of the NFL's deepest units, with little chance of earning meaningful playing time. Unless injuries occur or Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio decides to play three linebackers at a higher rate, he won't play for most of the year.
Trotter may not get the opportunity, but he deserves more playing time. He proved as much against the Patriots, shooting through the A-gap in the first quarter to sack quarterback Tommy DeVito.

#Eagles #trotter #night

The Eagles are up in New England for joint practices ahead of their second preseason game. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to reporters before taking the field, and he gave some insights into players performance in the first preseason game, and also gave an unfortunate update regarding Jonathan Greenard's return from injury.
Here's what else the DC had to say:
When asked if there was concern that Greenard's pec injury could keep him sidelined to start the regular season, he admitted that was a possibility.
" I don't know when Greenard will be back. That injury he got in our weight room is going to take some time to heal."
In the meantime, though, Fangio said he's been happy with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, and also mentioned Arnold Ebiketie has been coming along. The DC said they are really looking for the third and fourth guy on the depth chart to solidify himself while they wait for Greenard to get back.

#greenard

We didn't know what we were getting from the Dallas Cowboys' secondary in 2026. We knew Christian Parker had intricate plans for schematic change. We knew new players were expected to compete, and rehabbing players were hoping to return. We even knew what things were supposed to look like on paper. What we didn't know is if any of it, or even some of it, was going to work out.
Parker, a first-time defensive coordinator, was more a projection than proven entity. DaRon Bland and Shevon Revel were rehabbing cornerbacks with an uncertain permanent physical status. Malik Hooker and P.J. Locke were safeties with something to prove. While Caleb Downs and Jalen Thompson were new faces with massive expectations.
With so many questions in the secondary, the entire situation had the potential to go extremely well or devastatingly horrible. Halfway through training camp, things are going pretty darn well.
At the top of the food pyramid, Parker is completely as advertised. Not only does he look like Vic Fangio 2.0 in scheme, but his knowledge and ability to educate look next level. He's instilling work ethic and accountability across the unit and his highly complicated scheme is getting digested at an impressive rate.
After avoiding the PUP list at the start of camp, DaRon Bland has looked shockingly healthy in Oxnard. He may not be on a full workload, but he appears ahead of the curve and ready to reclaim the CB1 label that's alluded him for two seasons.

#secondary

There is one name in the Dallas Cowboys secondary that is starting to become impossible to ignore for his consistent play, and that name is second-year cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.
Revel is healthy and living up to the first-round potential he had as a prospect out of Eastern Carolina in the 2025 draft, where his injury history allowed the Cowboys to draft him in the third round. Revel is not only enjoying being a full participant in Cowboys training camp in Oxnard for the first time, but like the rest of the defense and secondary in particular, getting this fresh start under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Parker arrived at his first DC job with the Cowboys as a known commodity when it came to quickly developing cornerback talent and getting them to play well within the greater Vic Fangio-styled defensive scheme. The names often **** ociated with this have much higher draft pedigree than Revel, though.
In Parker's first job as a position coach in the NFL, with the Denver Broncos in 2021, they drafted Patrick Surtain in the first round. When Parker left for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, they double-dipped at cornerback in the first round with CBs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Parker's first pick with the Cowboys was obviously Caleb Downs this April, which remains highly exciting as Downs has made an impact right away too. Parker didn't draft Revel, but the excitement is that his 2025 season was enough of a wash to almost make this a rookie redo – under significantly better circumstances all around – for the talented corner. It's like a bonus pick for Parker that's paying off beautifully.
Watching that dreadful '25 Cowboys defense, it didn't feel like there was any solution to move forward with if this defense was going to improve quickly. On the eve of the Cowboys first preseason test of 2026, we're now living in a world where undrafted free agent carryovers like Justin Barron are making plays at linebacker, Julius Wood and Alijah Clark are doing the same at safety, and Revel has the overall situation at cornerback looking up.

#draft

Eagles linebacker Jonathan Greenard has not practiced yet at training camp and it will still be some time before he's ready to get on the field.
Greenard is on the physically unable to perform list due to a pectoral injury and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said at a Tuesday press conference that it will be "another couple weeks at least" before he's able to resume football activities. Fangio said that the extended time off is something the Eagles will have to keep in mind as they try to avoid further injury once Greenard has returned to action.
"When he does come back, whenever that is, the thing you miss by not partaking in training camp — which he probably won't — you gotta get calloused to playing NFL football," Fangio said. "The banging, the running, the change of direction, the fatigue of it. He's gonna lose that. . . . That's gonna be something we have to be conscious with him when he does get back."
Fangio said Greenard has been participating in meetings and other behind the scenes work, which should join his experience in helping him make up for lost time. The timetable means that the team will still likely have to lean on Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and other pass rushers early in the season.

#greenard #fangio #time

Training camp is filled with position battles, but not all of them receive the same attention. This time around, much of the focus has centered on the Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver competition. There have also been conversations about a possible late safety addition by Howie Roseman as the backend of Vic Fangio's defense remains a talking point.
There's the backup quarterback race, Tanner McKee vs. Andy Dalton. No one, however, should ignore another important battle, one quietly taking shape among the backups along the offensive line. Drew Kendall may be one of the early winners.
Per multiple sources who have attended camp, the second-year veteran has consistently found himself in a prominent role whenever the Eagles have needed reinforcements up front. More importantly, he has continued to make the most of those opportunities. He has received rave reviews for his work.
One of the clearest indicators of a player's standing during training camp isn't what coaches say. It's where they place him. Kendall has repeatedly been among the first offensive linemen called upon when the Eagles need someone to step into a larger role.
Whether filling in at guard or handling additional responsibilities with various units, his workload suggests the coaching staff has developed a growing level of trust in him. That trust isn't handed out freely, especially in Philadelphia.

#kendall #offensive #trust

The Philadelphia Eagles failed to repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2025 in no small part part due to an underwhelming offense. Entering 2026, there's hope that they've righted the ship on that front as the Birds look to get back on top of the NFC. Eagles fans are feeling optimistic about the direction of the team under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. There's also a high level of confidence in Vic Fangio, who could conceivably oversee the best defense in the NFL.
Given that Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts have never not made the playoffs since they were first paired together in 2021, failing to qualify for the postseason in 2026 would be a surprise. FanDuel has the Eagles' win total at 10.5 games.
All times listed Eastern.
Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens (Saturday, August 15, 7:00 PM, NBC10)
Week 2: at New England Patriots (Saturday, August 22, 7:00 PM, NBC10)

#week #august #part

The Washington Commanders entered training camp believing they had one of the NFL's best left tackles protecting Jayden Daniels. That plan has taken a devastating hit.
Five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps during one-on-one pass-rush drills, according to reports from Adam Schefter and Steve Wyche. Tunsil will likely require surgery and is expected to miss a significant portion of the regular season.
There are few offensive linemen capable of replacing what Tunsil provides. Washington acquired him to protect Daniels' blind side and provide stability at one of football's most important positions. Now, the Commanders must rearrange their offensive line weeks before the regular season begins.
Andrew Wylie is expected to move to left tackle, with Josh Conerly remaining on the right side. Brandon Coleman started at left tackle in 2024, but Washington had already moved him inside to guard. Moving Coleman back outside remains an option, but doing so would create another opening along the interior. Washington may also explore the veteran market before settling on its starting five.
The Eagles already had several reasons to feel confident about their defensive front. Tunsil's absence gives Vic Fangio another potential weakness to attack when Philadelphia faces Washington.

#left

The San Francisco 49ers worked out Ogbo Okoronkwo this past Sunday. On Wednesday morning, the team officially reunited Okoronkwo with Raheem Morris.
The former fifth-round pick out of the 2018 NFL Draft has played with some of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, including Morris, DeMeco Ryans, Jim Schwartz, and Vic Fangio.
Okoronkwo, 31, has been a backup for most of his career. He played sparingly under Morris in the one year they spent together with the Rams. Okoronkwo actually played more in Los Angeles once Morris left. From the 2022 to 2024 seasons, he played around 400 snaps per season.
To date, Okoronkwo's best year came with the Texans in 2022, where he generated a 18.5% pressure rate, had 33 stops, and 5 sacks.
The 49ers are in need of edge rush help after losing a potential depth piece in Mikail Kamara to a torn ACL, Keion White with an adductor injury, and Cameron Sample to a knee injury. Mykel Williams remains on the active/PUP List, while Nick Bosa continues to work his way up to participating in 11-on-11 drills.

#played #best #injury

Replacing a productive starter is difficult. Replacing one of the defense's leaders can be even harder. The Philadelphia Eagles certainly understand that reality. Following Reed Blankenship's departure, they're in familiar territory, managing roster turnover, but rather than asking one player to fill every aspect of his role, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio appears to be taking a different approach.
Philadelphia will likely rely on Coach Fangio's unit early this season. Recently, he spoke with the media at Eagles camp. When asked who would **** ume the communication responsibilities in the secondary, a role Blankenship filled admirably, Fangio didn't identify a single successor. Instead, he named several.
"That'll be both of them (Marcus Epps and Andrew Mukuba). When it's Mukuba and Epps back there, they'll both do it. Epps is very capable of that, and I think Andrew is too. He'll get even better and better, this being his second year and being more confident... And Cooper DeJean, when he's there, he'll be capable of it."
Those comments offer a revealing glimpse into how Philadelphia plans to move forward after losing one of its defensive leaders. Communication won't fall on one player. It, like everything else on this Eagles defense, will evolve into a more team effort.
Blankenship's value extended beyond tackles and interceptions. As one of the defense's primary communicators, he helped organize coverages, relay adjustments and keep the secondary aligned before the snap. Those responsibilities don't disappear simply because he has left to continue his career with the Houston Texans. Instead of placing that burden entirely on Marcus Epps or expecting Mukuba to become the defense's lone voice immediately, Fangio is cultivating multiple players who can direct traffic from the back end.

#Eagles #replacing #instead #marcus

Invoking a wounded innocence that their desire for sports to be simple, just like they used to be, conservatives for a decade and a half have dreaded the word "politics". Now they cannot get enough.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has spent 40 years in the National Football League unknown except for his defensive schemes, but last week opened his press remarks mocking the congressional testimony of Dr Anthony Fauci, jokingly invoking the Fifth Amendment before taking questions. Apropos of nothing, President Trump publicly surmised that LeBron James might be a racist. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is now in the act, accepting the role as the right's anti-Black, anti-transgender culture war ambassador, the role originally intended for Caitlin Clark.
If Clark has lacked the courage and dexterity to say anything beyond the milky and ambiguous, Sophie Cunningham does not suffer from such internal conflicts. Largely anonymous politically or otherwise during her eight-year career, Cunningham – she of the viral finger-point which has been adopted as a symbol of the white animosity toward the WNBA culture – is in her moment. Her comments in a lengthy 21 July ESPN profile stating her opposition to transgender athletes has earned her hero status of the specious "Protect Our Girls" movement, even though you'd need a microscope to find any critical mass of transgender women participating in sports at any level.
Cunningham plays role of the blithe and bubbly iconoclast, oblivious to the world around as she unapologetically speaks her truths, but she is every bit as political as Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe, or her locked-armed, T-shirt wearing colleagues that defined the WNBA when she first entered the league in 2019. Cunningham forged a tough, take-no-prisoners-without-taking-herself-too-seriously persona, but was too meek to address the toxic roots of her newfound fame.
So too, was ESPN, which waited nearly 75 paragraphs just to sidestep the foundation of Cunningham's rise: she is profiting from cultural fractures that may be good for her but are tearing her league apart:

#cunningham #WNBA #invoking #sports

The Eagles' second practice featured a cameo from Brian Dawkins, an illuminating news conference from Vic Fangio, and my realization that Makai Lemon is partial to blue raspberry water ice from Rita's.
For a comprehensive breakdown of everything that happened at practice, be sure to watch or listen to our Thursday show, which detailed essentially every play from practice and much more, but here are a few big-picture takeaways I left the Jefferson Health Complex with:
After an opening practice mostly defined by the new-look Eagles offense showing some encouraging signs, things were much more even between the offense and defense on Thursday. I usually attribute "muddy" practices where you don't have as many notes to a strong defensive line causing more broken-down plays, but the Eagles' secondary also deserves plenty of credit for the number of passing plays that wound up with scrambles or check downs to the flat.
What did stand out amidst the stalemate were two of the players central to it: DeVonta Smith and Quinyon Mitchell. Smith got the better of Mitchell on consecutive plays early in practice, the first coming on a slant route where he beat Mitchell to the inside for Hurts to find him in rhythm. The next play, Smith broke toward the sideline and made a nice, leaping catch over Mitchell and seemed to get his feet in bounds along the sideline, although his defensive teammates in close proximity protested the catch.
Seeing these flashes from Smith when matched up against Mitchell isn't an entirely new phenomenon, but Mitchell's most competitive moments in each of his first two training camps came against A.J. Brown, not Smith. And, as we're evaluating whether Smith is truly ready to step into a No. 1 receiver role for the Eagles this season, being able to create separation against an All-Pro cornerback who so seldom allows it on Sundays is an important box to check.

#smith #Eagles #plays #defensive

Let's get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
Eagles 2026 training camp practice notes, Day 1: An initial look at Sean Mannion's offense – PhillyVoice
Jalyx Hunt had a great day. On one rep he had a 1-on-1 vs. Mailata, who was on an island. Hunt got Mailata leaning outside before jumping back inside with a free path to Hurts, and he got the "sack." On the next play Hunt then beat Mailata to the outside for another "sack," although that one was more of a coverage sack. Hunt also had a tackle for loss on Tank Bigsby, and he just generally he set the edge well against the run.
10 Eagles camp observations: Jonathan Greenard's injury, Jalen Hurts' new offense – The Athletic
Two buzzworthy players who stood out in practice: Hunt and running back Tank Bigsby. Jalyx Hunt forced pressure against the Eagles' first-team offensive line. Bigsby showed some juice catching the ball out of the backfield and could carve a role on offense.
Eagles practice observations: Sean Mannion's offense starts clicking; Jalen Hurts under center; Jalyx Hunt hunts – Inquirer
Hunting season. Greenard's absence pushed Jalyx Hunt into the starting spot at right outside linebacker opposite Nolan Smith Jr. Hunt will likely play as many snaps as the other two this season. There's an argument to be made that he should get more playing time than Smith. Nevertheless, he took advantage of his opportunities with Greenard out. Hunt shot into the backfield unblocked and forced Hurts to check down to Cooper on one play-action pass that came from under center. He blew up tight end Dallas Goedert with an edge rush and Hurts had to hurry a dump to Bigsby that wasn't caught. And he beat Mailata on back-to-back rushes — one with an inside move and the other from the outside — that blew up pass plays.
Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: Jalen Hurts and new offense show encouraging signs – BGN
JALEN HURTS UPDATE: Just like the headline says, there were encouraging signs from the Eagles' quarterback and the team's new offense. Was it perfect? No, it wasn't. There were drops. There were procedural penalties, as Lane Johnson brought up during his post-practice press conference. But this offense looked much more functional than the version that was largely dominated by Vic Fangio's defense during the team's spring practices.

#practice

The Dallas Cowboys held their annual pre-training camp opening press conference on Tuesday, with Jerry Jones, Brian Schottenheimer, and Stephen Jones taking to the podium like usual. For the first time in a long time, these heads of state for America's Team coming to the podium marked something significant before any of the three even said a word – the Cowboys have made it to the true ramp up for 2026 without any significant off the field drama, major contract disputes, or just Cowboys drama for the sake of drama.
The Cowboys' quiet offseason is hopefully just the start of a recipe for success in the regular season and beyond, but it became clear that the team's secret sauce they believe in is, in fact, the coaching across the board. Jerry seemed to understand that at this point in his ownership tenure the last thing any diehard fan wants to hear him talk about is his ability to select coaches. What fans have wanted to see is not only the right coaches in place, which the Cowboys will have to now prove once real practices begin Wednesday, but Jones and the rest of the front office giving whatever coaches are in place the freedom and **** e to hone in on the details of actually doing their jobs.
The Cowboys are doing that right now at a level that should excite fans considerably, and coach Schottenheimer started to get into this later on during opening remarks. The same rookie head coach that said the reason the Cowboys would be contenders with him at the helm was in part because of how hard he works before the 2025 season, said that his new rookie defensive coordinator Christian Parker is "maybe the hardest working coach I've ever been around".
Christian Parker with the Eagles
Parker's experience working with Vic Fangio, the way the Cowboys have supported him from the jump by getting players that fit the scheme, and how much he's impressed Schottenheimer, and the Cowboys attention to detail around coaching feels even fresher than even their previously-stated lack of drama. Parker's expertise across the defense is of course in the secondary, where Dallas actually spent free agency money on a safety this offseason.

#schottenheimer #drama #coaches #christian

After months of waiting, the Philadelphia Eagles took the field Wednesday morning for their first practice of the 2026 training camp, beginning several weeks of preparation, competition and roster evaluation at the Jefferson Health Training Complex.
Practice was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. after head coach Nick Sirianni spoke with reporters at 9:30. The opening session will provide the first on-field look at Sean Mannion's new offense, Philadelphia's revamped receiving corps and several competitions that will help shape the initial 53-man roster.
Attention will center on Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith as the offense begins installing Mannion's system. The defense will feature Jalen Carter following his record-setting contract extension, while Jonathan Greenard's absence creates additional opportunities for Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa.
The secondary will also command attention as Riq Woolen begins competing for a prominent role alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Marcus Epps, Andrew Mukuba and the rest of the safety group will begin sorting through responsibilities in Vic Fangio's defense.
This live blog will be updated throughout the morning with photos, videos, news, observations and notable moments from the practice fields. Follow along as the Eagles officially begin their work toward the 2026 regular season.

#practice

Every NFL season produces its share of breakout players. The difficult part isn't reaching that level once. It's staying there. Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun has officially moved beyond that conversation. Often, success is a matter of luck or even coincidence. Coaching still matters, and once Baun left the New Orleans Saints and aligned himself with Vic Fangio, everything changed.
Since joining the Eagles, Baun has gone from special teamer to a Super Bowl champion. He's a two-time Pro Bowler, a 2024 First-team All-Pro, and a Butkus Award winner.
After another outstanding campaign last season, Baun continues earning recognition from around the league. That reinforces what Eagles fans have watched unfold since his arrival. His emergence wasn't lightning in a bottle. It was the beginning of one of football's most remarkable career transformations.
Defensive coordinators spend an entire offseason studying tendencies. Opposing offenses adjust. Expectations change. Players who come out of nowhere one year often find themselves fighting to prove the following season wasn't a one-hit wonder.
Baun's league-wide approval seems unanimous. He can play at the line of scrimmage, blitz, or play coverage. That versatility has become one of the defining characteristics of his game.

#Eagles #often

Retired Eagles star says new Cowboys defensive coordinator hurt his feelings by crossing NFC East lines originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Christian Parker helped build a powerhouse defense in Philadelphia. Six months later, he's calling plays for the enemy, and one recently retired Eagle isn't happy about it.
The Dallas Cowboys hired Parker as their defensive coordinator on Jan. 22, pulling him away from the Philadelphia Eagles' staff after he served as Philadelphia's passing game coordinator and secondary coach.
At 34, Christian Parker is the youngest defensive coordinator in Dallas Cowboys history. During his single season as Philadelphia's passing game coordinator under Vic Fangio, the Eagles maintained a top-tier pass defense, and Parker heavily influenced the development of rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
However, his decision to join a division rival frustrated former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, who played under Parker during Philadelphia's 2024 Super Bowl run. On an NFL Network segment, the recently retired six-time Pro Bowler admitted the move hurt his feelings.

Every NFL team can point to its stars. The Philadelphia Eagles certainly have their fair share. Howie Roseman deserves his fair share of credit. You'll never be able to say this team lost because he didn't do his job. There's talent on both sides of the ball, but championship teams aren't defined solely by their biggest names.
They're defined by what happens when someone misses a game, a young player is thrust into a larger role, or the schedule begins testing a roster's depth over the course of a 17-game season. That's where Philadelphia may quietly separate itself from much of the NFL. Depth has become one of the organization's greatest strengths.
Depth is questioned on every roster thanks to free agency and a salary cap. Every team will always seemingly need something, but there aren't many major holes on this Eagles depth chart.
Hollywood Brown gives them another proven playmaker at wide receiver, while Makai Lemon enters camp as one of the roster's most intriguing young receivers. The offensive line features multiple players capable of stepping into larger roles if needed, continuing a tradition of strong development in the trenches.
Defensively, the Eagles have created competition throughout the secondary. Riq Woolen adds another experienced cornerback to a group already featuring Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, and DeJean provide Vic Fangio with multiple answers at safety. The defensive front remains loaded with players capable of rotating without a significant drop in production. Few teams can say the same.

The Philadelphia Eagles have a young defensive core with enough talent to become one of the NFL’s most disruptive units, but training camp will determine how the pieces fit around the established names.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith Jr., Jonathan Greenard, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, and Andrew Mukuba give Philadelphia high-end talent across all three levels. The questions come behind them and around them. The Eagles must settle their safety rotation after Reed Blankenship’s departure, determine the linebacker picture, sort through a deep edge group, identify the defensive tackle depth, and decide how to align one of the league’s most crowded cornerback rooms.
Here are the Eagles' defensive position battles to track during training camp.
Mukuba enters his second season as one of the most important young players in the secondary, but the rest of the safety picture remains somewhat unsettled. Marcus Epps gives the Eagles veteran experience, and he has a fan in DC Vic Fangio, while Michael Carter II can factor into safety looks depending on personnel. Cole Wisniewski, Andre’ Sam, and Maximus Pulley add depth to a room that must replace Blankenship’s snaps and communication.
The key question is whether the Eagles use a traditional safety pairing or lean into flexibility. DeJean has taken reps at safety in base looks, while Carter gives Philadelphia another movable defensive back. Epps can steady the group, but camp will determine whether the Eagles have one clear answer next to Mukuba or a package-based solution.

The Eagles will not know their final rookie hierarchy until the pads come on in a few weeks, but several first-year players already have clear paths to immediate roles on offense, defense, and special teams.
Makai Lemon has the most obvious offensive opportunity. With A.J. Brown traded to New England and DeVonta Smith stepping into the No. 1 receiver role, Philadelphia needs a rookie who can add explosiveness, separation, and yards-after-catch ability. Lemon's draft status and skill set should give him every chance to become an early contributor, even with Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, Dontayvion Wicks , and Elijah Moore also competing for snaps.
Eli Stowers is another offensive rookie to watch. Dallas Goedert remains the top tight end, and Johnny Mundt gives the Eagles a blocking presence, but Stowers brings long-term receiving upside. If he can handle enough of the blocking and ***** ignment work, he could carve out a role in two-tight-end packages and red-zone situations.
Along the offensive line, Jake Majors , Hollin Pierce , Jaeden Roberts , Willie Lampkin , Myles Hinton , and Cameron Williams enter camp trying to earn depth roles. Philadelphia rarely rushes young linemen unless forced, but roster spots behind Jordan Mailata , Landon ***** erson , Cam Jurgens , Tyler Steen , and Lane Johnson remain important.
Defensively, Drew Mukuba has the clearest rookie path. The Eagles have reshaped the secondary, and Mukuba's range, instincts, and coverage versatility give him a chance to compete for meaningful safety snaps immediately. His development could also help Vic Fangio keep Cooper DeJean in a flexible nickel role.

The Eagles enter training camp with a defense that looks dramatically different from the one that finished last season, but the new structure may give Vic Fangio one of the most athletic and flexible groups in the NFC. Philadelphia is still built through the trenches with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo, but the strength of the roster could shift toward a loaded cornerback room led by Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen. The biggest questions are not about whether the Eagles have talent. They are about how quickly the new pieces settle, how the edge-rusher rotation forms, and who earns the safety and linebacker roles around the established core.
The defensive line begins with Carter, Davis, and Ojomo. Carter played through two badly injured shoulders last season and still became the Eagles' lone Pro Bowl starter, producing 33 tackles, 41 quarterback pressures, 11 quarterback hits, and three sacks in 12 games. Davis signed a three-year, $78 million deal and remains central to Philadelphia's run defense, while Ojomo enters the final year of his contract after seeing his snap count rise and finishing second on the team in sacks. Ty Robinson and Byron Young give the Eagles young rotational options, while Gabe Hall is trying to secure a depth role.
Edge rusher is one of the most important camp battles. Jonathan Greenard arrives as the projected top-of-the-rotation pass rusher, giving Fangio a veteran presence who can work off the interior disruption created by Carter and Davis. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith remain major pieces of the plan, with Hunt coming off a season in which he led the team in sacks and interceptions, while Smith needs to turn pressure flashes into more consistent production after missing time in 2025. Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, Uar Bernard, Jose Ramirez, Ta'Quon Graham, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Joshua Weru will compete for rotational snaps and roster spots after Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's retirement removed one veteran from the room.
Linebacker remains led by Zack Baun, while Jihaad Campbell's shoulder recovery will shape the rest of the depth chart. Campbell's playing time was limited when Nakobe Dean returned last season, but Dean's departure creates a clearer path once Campbell is healthy. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. enter camp looking for breakout opportunities, while Chance Campbell, Deontae Lawson, and Chandler Martin are battling for depth and special teams roles.
Cornerback could be Philadelphia's best position group. Mitchell is already one of the league's top young outside corners, and DeJean's versatility allows Fangio to move him around the formation without weakening the secondary. Woolen's arrival on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million gives the Eagles rare size, speed, and ball production opposite Mitchell. Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett can now compete from reserve roles instead of being forced into every-week starter responsibilities, while Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams,

The Dallas Cowboys are banking on Christian Parker to lead their defensive resurgence, but he can also be an ******* et for Dak Prescott as well. Parker's experience in defenses that have been a thorn in Prescott's career allows him to show Prescott insight on how to beat them. If Prescott can learn how to beat Parker's defense, it increases the odds of him beating heavily disguised defenses like the Eagles, Vic Fangio, and the Broncos Vance Joseph.
While Prescott and Parker work things out, unfortunately, the team will have to move forward without special teams ace C.J. Goodwin, who officially retired today. Goodwin was one of the most reliable players the Cowboys had on special teams; now they'll need to find the next Goodwin to lead their special teams. Whoever they find or decide to step up will have some big shoes to fill.
Prescott, Parker present Cowboys with an 'iron sharpens iron' dynamic :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
CJ Goodwin announces retirement after 8 seasons with Cowboys :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
Cowboys suddenly have serious Super Bowl believers (yes, for real) :: The Landry Hat (Link)