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  • Beginning The Offseason – Combine To Free Agency – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    With the combine starting this week the Eagles will be getting another look at future prospects and players ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. 

    And while the draft doesn’t begin until April 23rd. The Eagles still have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks with over 20 free agents set to hit the market with less than two weeks until the legal tampering period(march 9th) and free agency(march 11th) open

    2026 Free Agents

    Below is a list of the 20 players the Eagles will need to make a decision on in the coming weeks:

    • TE Dallas Goedert
    • S Reed Blankenship
    • ED Jaelan Phillips
    • ED Azeez Ojulari
    • WR Jahan Dotson
    • DL Brandon Graham
    • P Braden Mann
    • ED Joshua Uche
    • CB Adoree Jackson
    • TE Kylen Granson
    • G Matt Pryor
    • RB A.J. Dillon
    • OT Fred Johnson
    • LB Nakobe Dean
    • ED Ogbonnia Okronkwo
    • G Brett Toth
    • S Marcus Epps
    • QB Sam Howell
    • TE Grant Calcaterra
    • FB Ben VanSumeren

    There’s a few positions that stand out the most.  Including the Tight End room with 3 of the main rostered tight ends set to hit the open market. leaving E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu and Jaheim Bell as the only TE signed through the 2026 season.  

    The other major position of concern is Safety. Losing a defensive captain in Blankenship could be a heavy blow to the Eagles strong defensive unit. With Mukuba returning from a fractured ankle, and Sydney Brown having not taking a leap when given playing opportunity leaves the Eagles secondary thinner than it was last season. 

    There might be a handful of moves to come during the offseason, to nobodies surprise.

    Approaching The Draft

    The Eagles are always an active team during the offseason. After winning the Super Bowl in 2025, the Eagles made a total of 6 trades before and during the draft. The first 2 being moves that acquired draft capital moving C.J. Gardner-Johnson as well as Kenny Pickett. The next 4 took place during the draft that included moving up to acquire Jihaad Campbell, as well as trading up and back in the draft. Securing players like Ty Robinson and Mac McWilliams. 

    Similarly, the Eagles made two trades prior to the 2024 NFL draft, acquiring Kenny Pickett and moving on from Haason Reddick. They went on to make an additional EIGHT trades during the draft that helped them acquire players like Cooper DeJean and multiple trade backs that helped re-stock future drafts while acquiring Jalyx Hunt, Will Shipley and more. 

    With a few weeks to go before players are able to make agreements with other teams. Who do you think the Eagles will re-sign before the legal tampering period begins?

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • Challenges In the Defensive Backfield – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    It’s one thing when the Eagles lose a game to Dallas after being up 21–0. It’s quite another when they lose much, much more. Twenty-four hours after a loss that sent the Eagles spiraling into the #2 Seed in the NFC — three late-game defensive injuries are coming more into focus.

    Photo Courtesy of Eaglesnation on X.

    Rookie sensation at Safety Drew Mukuka has been reported with a fracture in his ankle and will undergo surgery — with a length of time for his return uncertain.

    Selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft (2021) by New York — the 5 foot 10 one hundred eighty-four pound Carter. In September of 2024 — New York signed Carter to a three–year ($30.75) million contract extension that includes ($13.61) million in guaranteed money. The result was that he became the highest paid slot cornerback in the entire National Football League.

    This season — Mukuba — who was the last rookie to sign a four-year contract worth $7,160,538, including $4,196,063 guaranteed money. The prospect of starting Mukuba is that his combination with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell would make the Eagles’ defensive backfield one of the youngest starting in the NFL. He joins that Eagles secondary that was the only team in NFL history to start two rookie defensive backs in the Conference Championship Game and subsequently — the Super Bowl.

    The Eagles other Safety Reed Blankenship exited the game with a lower thigh injury and did not return. Sydney Brown played in his place in Dallas. The status on Blankenship for Friday’s game is unknown. But those two losses were not the only two in the Eagles secondary on Sunday.

    Veteran cornerback Adoree Jackson suffered a concussion in the third quarter. With the Eagles playing on a short week — it is unclear whether or not either Blankenship or Jackson will be able to play. 

    If they cannot go — the Eagles will look for help in the secondary from Kelee Ringo, Michael Carter II, or Jakorian Bennett if he is healthy and back. Sydney Brown will be next up at the Safety position.

    With the Rams looking overpowering against the Buccaneers on Sunday night — a loss on Friday against the Bears is not one that the Eagles can afford.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Holding On In the Heat – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Eagles Nation on X.

    Tampa, Florida — No shade? No Sweat. With all of their stars on the field — the Eagles may have finally slayed the dragon at Raymond James Stadium — beating the Bucs and former Eagle Haason Reddick. In 105-degree heat — the Eagles jumped out to a 24–3 lead in the first half thanks in part to a Sydney Brown return on a blocked a punt twenty-one yards for a touchdown. The Eagles also added two red-zone shovel-passes from Hurts to Dallas Goedart as well as a sweep from Saquon Barkley in the third quarter on a perfectly executed Tush-Push fake.

    For a team with one of the most difficult early-season schedules in NFL — has now started 4–0 for the 3rd time in Nick Sirianni’s tenure. The last NFL team which started 4–0 and not made the NFL playoffs was the 2016 Denver Broncos.

    A promising start nearly turned into another last-minute Buccaneers comeback in the fourth quarter as two seventy-plus yard pass plays to Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka helped to being the home team within 31–23. In the last five minutes of the game — the Eagles made three big plays to help to secure the win — turning Tampa Bay back on multiple drives. A scrambling Baker Mayfield forced a ball into the endzone that was intercepted by rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell with five minutes left. Then Moro Ojomo sacked Baker Mayfield in order to setup a third and 23 with less than two minutes remaining. Finally on 4th and 10 — Andrew Mukuba delivered a monstrous hit on Buccaneers Tight End Cade Otton to end the contest.

    In addition to allowing Tampa Bay back in the game in — the Eagles will also have to work on the eight penalties for eighty-three yards that included a taunting penalty from Cooper DeJean in the first quarter and a second Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalty by Jaylx Hunt during the game.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Eagles Bring Back Some Familiar Faces After Roster Cuts – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Amidst all the chaos of a blockbuster trade happening in the division. The Eagles have been loading the practice squad and depth chart back up with some familiar faces from the last few seasons. While we’ve already seen Patrick Johnson make his return in the preseason. The Eagles didn’t stop there.

    Adding To The Practice Squad

    After the initial rush of Waiver Claims saw 27 players get picked up across the league.

    Once the hype of the day was over the Eagles made a few extra additions to the team.

    Britain Covey

    After missing most of last season due to injury, the Eagles tried moving on from Covey in the offseason. Even attempting to find a solution in Avery Williams at the start of free agency.

    Once Williams was released for roster cuts the question became, who would be taking returns? Fangio stated last season he didn’t want DeJean permanently on the return team and the Eagles needed a solution.

    Now the Eagles will have Covey back on the practice squad and be able to promote him to the game day roster three times. In 2023 Covey played in 16 games with 29 Punt Returns for 417 yards and a longest return of 54 yards. 

    For now, there is a solution on the return team.

    Marcus Epps

    Just in case the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade wasn’t confusing already. The Eagles brought back another familiar face to the practice squad. With 94 total tackles, 4 TFL and 1 Forced fumble on the Super Bowl 57 team. Epps moved on with many of the Free Agents after the 2022 season, where he landed with the Raiders.

    Missing the majority of the 2024 season from a torn ACL. With his 2 year deal expiring, the Eagles brought back Epps and waived Tristan McCollum (who was picked up by the Raiders).

    Epps will rejoin his former team, as well as former Raiders teammate Jakorian Bennett.

    For now, the Safety position group consists of 

    • Reed Blankenship
    • Andrew Mukuba
    • Sydney Brown
    • Marcus Epps (PS)
    • Andre Sam (PS)

    One More August Trade

    The day before 53-man rosters were due, the Eagles brought back one more familiar face from the Super Bowl 59 roster. This time via a trade. 

    Bringing back Fred Johnson gives the Eagles an extra body along the offensive line who’s already familiar with Stoutland and the Eagles offense.

    With 6 games started in the 2024 season Fred will be able to fill in for multiple positions across the OL. Including right guard, tackle and left tackle.

    Now with extra versatility along the offensive line. Will the Eagles finally be finished making moves before their September 4th season opener?

    Or is there one more trick up Howie Roseman’s sleeve?

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • A Solid Presence in the Defensive Secondary. – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.

    Sydney Brown Was A Favorite to Win a Starting Position. Mukuba Has No Plans to Make it That Easy.

    The history of football is rich with great safety play. The history of the Philadelphia Eagles — is rich with some of the finest and toughest safeties to ever play the game. The devastating and punishing play of Andre Waters. The leadership and lock-down coverage of Malcolm Jenkins. The bone-crushing, adrenaline filled style of Brian Dawkins. The decade of solid play from Randy Logan in the late 1970s. The “blade” signature of Don Burroughs in 1960 and the consistent contributions of Russ Craft during the 1940s — both of the latter helping to bring championships to Philadelphia.

    But one thing that the NFL Preseason has taught us is that nothing is for certain. The Eagles are high on the prospect of Sydney Brown opposite Reed Blankenship at the Safety position. But the push that Texas rookie Andrew Mukuba is making is truly hard not to notice. Being sick on the field couldn’t stop this rookie from making a definite impact in the Eagles second NFL pre-season game against the Browns. In the 2nd quarter — Mukuba intercepted a Dillon Gabriel pass and brought it back seventy-five yards for a score — and in the same quarter in which he recovered a fumble as well.

    Mukuba — who was the last rookie to sign a four-year worth $7,160,538 including $4,196,063 guaranteed money. The prospect of starting Mukuba is that his combination with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell would make the Eagles defensive backfield one of the youngest starting in the NFL.

    He joins an Eagles secondary that were the only team in NFL history to start two rookie defensive backs in the Conference Championship Game and subsequently — the Super Bowl. It’s also the first time in franchise history that the Eagles have two rookie defensive backs nominated for the prestigious Rookie of the Year Award — presented by the Associated Press.

    The combination of the second round pick out of Texas in Mukuba, DeJean, and Mitchell could solidify the Eagles secondary for years to come. 

    The Eagles are counting on it.

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    Michael Thomas Leibrandt

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  • Eagles Secondary is in Good Hands – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Eagles Secondary is in Good Hands – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    It’s been a while since the Eagles have been in such a good position in their secondary.

    They’ve always had issues there, and aside from 2022, they’ve never really had a trustworthy secondary.

    With their talent back there, they should be in good hands for the foreseeable future.

    Other than Darius Slay, whose veteran presence is valuable for the other defensive backs, the Eagles are extremely young at that position. The next oldest players in the secondary behind Slay are CJGJ and Isaiah Rodgers, who are only 26 years old.

    Everyone else is 25 and younger and has a ton of time to create chemistry with one another.

    The two rookies, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean looked like they would be the future of the defense halfway through their rookie years.

    Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
    Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images PHOTO: Eric Hartline/Imagn Images

    Quinyon has locked up some of the best receivers in the league so far, and Dejean has brought much-needed physicality to the team. Both have upgraded the secondary from what the Eagles had at the end of last season and seeing young players pan out this well is exciting.

    The other young guys, including Reed Blankenship, Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Sydney Brown, have also played well. Sydney Brown seems like he could be a starting safety for the Eagles for the next 5+ years, and the other guys look like they can be valuable to the team, too.

    The biggest thing this young group needs to work on is forcing some interceptions. They only have two as a group so far, and Reed Blankenship has both. Once they can figure that out, they will be a menace to the league for years.

    This young group is full of talent. This is rare for the Eagles, and we should all be excited about their bright futures.
    The Eagles’ secondary is finally in good hands.

    PHOTO: Eric Hartline/Imagn Images

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    Nate Schweitzer

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  • 3 Weeks From The Draft. Who Might The Eagles Take With Pick #22 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    3 Weeks From The Draft. Who Might The Eagles Take With Pick #22 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    With three weeks until the NFL draft.
    Rosters are beginning to take shape and some clear picks are beginning to show.

    With the Bears, Patriots and Commanders expected to take their QBs of the future. There will be a long way to go to see who might fall to the Eagles with the 22nd overall pick.

     

    While the Eagles have recently ended the conversation whether they would trade Reddick or Sweat. Another hole has opened in the depth of the roster.

    Sure the Eagles have already signed Bryce Huff to a $51M deal and have Nolan Smith waiting in the wings after only playing 188 defensive snaps in his rookie season. Barely seeing an increase in playtime after the Eagles had waived Derek Barnett prior to their Week 11 game against Buffalo. 

    Laiatu Latu – Edge, UCLA

    Re-filling the edge-rusher position after trading away Reddick, with Brandon Graham on his final season all while not knowing what you have in Smith and Huff is probably one of the best options for the Eagles at #22. Similar to drafting Davis and Carter in lieu of Hargrave and Cox departures in the last two seasons.

    The biggest area of concern regarding Latu is from a neck injury he suffered during a preseason workout in 2020. An injury that had the University of Washington medical staff refusing to medically clear him to continue playing.

    The Eagles have had multiple instances of drafting players with this warning, including Josh Sweat and Nakobe Dean. 

    If the Eagles don’t believe that Huff and Smith are able to take over enough of the defensive snaps. Bringing in Latu could be the final piece to a new defensive line. 

    NFL.com has multiple mock drafts with Latu going to the Rams at 19 and 24, as well as the Buccaneers at 26. He might fall perfectly within the Eagles range.

     

    Kool-Aid McKinstry – CB, Alabama

    After the disastrous end to the Eagles season. It’s clear a new CB might be needed on the roster. They’ve already gone and re-signed C.J. Gardner Johnson and now brought back Avonte Maddox as well.

    James Bradberry was “part of the plan” when Howie Roseman spoke at the combine, but things can always change by September.

    There’s plenty of available Cornerbacks in this draft. From Quinyon Mitchell, Nate Wiggins, Cooper DeJean and McKinstry are all projected to go in the late 1st round per NFL.com’s mock drafts. 

    Much like Latu. The Eagles may have to look at trading up if they wanted to go after Mitchell in the draft. However, if they wanted to move back in the 1st, McKinstry could be available past 22nd. Allowing the Eagles to regain assets later in the draft.

    With Bradberry and Slay still under contract for multiple seasons. The Eagles should be looking to drafting their predecessors like they have on the defensive line. Unless Eli Ricks or Kelee Ringo have breakout sophomore seasons, a long-term solution needs to be put in place alongside Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown in the secondary. McKinstry could be that answer, and could even allow them to trade Bradberry before the start of the season. Rumors have swirled about the Eagles landing Surtain from the Broncos, but I’d prefer to draft and acquire a starting caliber player still on a rookie deal.

     

     

    No Offensive Picks?

    The offence may not have been able to score at will last season. But the Eagles defense hemorrhaged yards and points beyond belief last year. Was it all on coaching?

    The Eagles have already gone and signed Saquon Barkley, DeVante Parker, Matt Hennessy and Parris Campbell plus more additions for the offense. Taking another day one defensive pick won’t hurt an offense that recently extended two players on the offensive line. With Mailata, Dickerson and Jurgens all under contract for multiple years. There’s multiple options for the Eagles to find a Right Guard late in the draft if Steen hasn’t won the starters spot.

    The Eagles will still have 7 draft picks following the 22nd pick. Where they’ve been able to make successful picks in the later rounds, including 2 more picks in the the top 60.

     

    Who do you have the Eagles drafting in the 1st round?

     

     

     

     

    Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • More Coaching Hires. Kellen Moore & Clint Hurtt to Philly – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    More Coaching Hires. Kellen Moore & Clint Hurtt to Philly – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Amidst the flurry of coaching hires and Pro Bowl dodgeball. The Eagles have continued to make moves on their coaching staff.

    Last week, the Eagles had begun their search for new coordinators. They started off by hiring Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator. Fangio was most likely their 1st choice last season, but the Arizona Cardinals tampering incident saw Fangio off to Miami for the year. 

    Moving on from the Patricia & Desai conundrum as quickly as possible might have saved this Eagles off-season.

     

    Another Coach On The Way Out

    It was announced that Quarterback Coach Alex Tanney will be looking for new opportunities. The Eagles would have yet another hole to fill in their coaching staff with OC Brian Johnson also being let go. There’s been no formal severance from Tanney yet, so there’s a potential he could remain with the team still.

     

    Another Coach On The Way Out

    The Eagles might’ve already found their Defensive Coordinator in Vic Fangio. But it looks like the Eagles will flesh out their defensive staffing with coaches Fangio has spent previous time with.

    New Defensive Line Coach Clint Hurtt spent two years with the Chicago Bears as an Outside Linebackers Coach during Fangio’s time as Chicago’s Defensive Coordinator (2015-16). Hurtt was most recently the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator for the last 2 seasons. With a familiar joining Fangio’s team. The Eagles now have to question what they’ll be doing with Tracy Rocker. The current Defensive Line Coach who has been with the team since Sirianni’s arrival.

     

    There’s another coach from the Dolphins staff that the Eagles have already reached out to.

    If the Eagles are able to bring in Fangio and potentially Joe Kasper from Miami. Perhaps GM Howie Roseman might consider making another blockbuster trade for the Safety position?

    In August of 2022, the Eagles acquired C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 7th round pick from the New Orleans Saints for a 2023 5th, and the worse of their 2024 6th round picks.

    If the Eagles were considering a splash with a trade. Using a couple of their picks, perhaps they could make a move on Miami’s Jevon Holland? With the loss of Sydney Brown in Week 18, it’s unlikely the Eagles will see their own Canadian-born Safety back for the 2024 season. Why not get another one?

    After all. Jevon posted this video of himself kicking rocks the same day that Fangio was moving on from the Dolphins staff. While Holland tried to down play the video. Even Dolphins pages like PhinPhanatic think that Miami should listen in on potential trade offers.

     

     

    Finally, An Offensive Coordinator

    Last week, the rumored names for the Eagles Offensive Coordinator availability were Kellen Moore and Kliff Kingsbury.

    With Moore winning the job and Kingsbury staying in the desert with the  Las Vegas Raiders. It almost seems like the Eagles once again dodged a bullet that the Raiders once again took for them.

    During the 2021 coaching cycle. The Eagles almost hired Josh McDaniels over Nick Sirianni. Since then McDaniels went on to coach the Raiders to an uninspiring 9-16 while Sirianni has gone 34-17 in Philly, with 3 straight playoff appearances.

    Missing out on another coach that ends up going to Vegas might be good for the Eagles. It worked once, hopefully it works again.

    With Moore moving on from the Chargers (understandably after hiring Harbaugh), it was a surprise to see him heading to Philly. Expected to get Head Coaching offers following his last year in Dallas. Moore even refused the interim position in Los Angeles after Brandon Staley was relieved from his position, as Kellen Moore was expected to be hired as a head coach himself during this years cycle.

    If you really wanted to know how lackluster the Eagles 2023 offense was. They ranked 32nd (10.9%) in Pre-snap motion. And when they started using more motion later in the season, it was mostly for show. Kellen Moore’s offense in Los Angeles ranked 8th with 25.9%. Expect big changes in a Philadelphia offense with only 2 active Running Backs, Receivers and Tight Ends.

     

    How are you feeling about the Eagles new coordinator hires?

     

    Go Birds!

     

     

    Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images



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    Tyler L’Heureux

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