The Eagles have had a lot of success in recent years. They’ve gone to a pair of Super Bowls, winning one and just coming up short in the other. They have been to the playoffs each year under Nick Sirianni. They have won the NFC East 3 of the past 4 seasons. You would think this might make them complacent, but that sure doesn’t feel like the case at all.
Several people have commented on the changes in Jalen Hurts. He looks to be slimmed down and in great shape. He seems to be embracing his leadership role more than ever. He’s also been more public with social media and showing people another side of him.
Jordan Mailata on how Jalen Hurts has taken to this new scheme: “He’s all-in on this system. The way he’s commanding the huddle. The way he’s getting that ball out, the way he’s throwing it, the way he’s just embraced it, he’s all-in. It’s refreshing to see. … We always say it…
The most dangerous version of Hurts is the one who feels doubted. That fires him up and gets him locked in on doing whatever it takes. It feels like that’s the guy we’re getting right now.
Hurts and his receivers worked out together this spring/summer. This wasn’t just a couple of new guys. It looked like a bunch of them got together for the workouts.
OL Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens struggled mightily last year. They have gone above and beyond to be ready for this season. They both went to Colombia for special stem cell treatment to help with their injury situations. Both guys have been healthy and practicing. Dickerson isn’t an ideal fit for the new blocking scheme because he relies more on bulk and power than movement skills. The PHLY guys said Dickerson has lost weight to help fit into the new system. He’s fully bought in.
Sirianni talked about how everyone passed the conditioning test and what good shape the team is in. Jalen Carter showed up in great shape per Vic Fangio, who doesn’t throw compliments around casually. Carter wasn’t healthy last year and didn’t play his best football. His shoulders are now good. If he’s locked in, OL around the league are in for a long year.
No AJ Brown? DeVonta Smith seems ready to fill that void.
A training camp standout through 2 days? DeVonta Smith.
He’s the Eagles’ clear No. 1 WR. The opportunity is present for more volume. The talent is present to be one of the best WRs in the NFL.
The defense took center stage on Day 2 of Training Camp. That’s no surprise since the Eagles should be a Top 5 defense in the league this season. The unit has playmakers at all three levels and is very talented overall.
Vic Fangio’s defense dominated the first 11-on-11 series to the point where Hurts was coverage “sacked” multiple times. One of the few attempts that Hurts did get off was batted incomplete by Zack Baun, who appeared to be in zone coverage.
The Eagles’ defense dominated at times on Thursday, beginning with the very first team portion of practice. There was just nowhere for Jalen Hurts to go with the football. And throughout the day, there were some coverage sacks and solid pressure on Hurts from the defensive front. The Eagles have a ton of talent on defense and many of those players are entering Year 3 with Fangio at the helm. There are no guarantees, but this defense has the potential to be really, really good.
The Eagles offense has a lot of talent in their own right, but not to the level of the defense. There are going to be days when the defense just overwhelms whoever they are facing.
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The offense did have some success. From BLG.
Hurts and the offense did look sharper in 7-on-7. Hurts had good completions back-to-back to DeVonta Smith, who beat Quinyon Mitchell each time. Hurts also hit Makai Lemon on a quick slant in addition to connecting with Elijah Moore. Hurts was fortunate that a pass over the middle intended for Hollywood Brown went through Riq Woolen’s hands after the cornerback undercut a route to be in position for a pick that ultimately wasn’t made.
The Eagles’ rushing attack in 2024 was incredible. In 2025, not so much. On Day 2 of camp, it looked more like 2024 than 2025. Saquon Barkley ripped off a long run through the left side of the line. There was a big hole and he exploded through it.
Tank Bigsby also had a long run and just generally speaking has looked explosive through the first two days of camp. Like Barkley’s long run, Bigsby’s came with the first-team offense.
And late in the day, Elijah Mitchell also had a long run behind O-line backups.
To be clear, the Eagles were not in pads today, so there’s no hitting the backs and certainly no tackling, but you still see the offensive line opening up holes for the backs to run through, and the backs taking advantage.
The guys from PHLY also thought Dameon Pierce showed some juice. The Eagles won in 2024 by running the ball and playing great defense. So far this team is showing good signs in both of those areas in TC. Very promising for the upcoming season.
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There was one big time highlight from the passing game.
If Wicks can make plays like that, it will give the offense a big boost. I love the fact that Hurts took a chance and threw the ball to him despite good coverage. Sometimes you have to give your guys a chance to make plays.
I’m going to start with how practice started: Jake Elliott kicking field goals. It might not be as sexy as the new offense or how the rookies look, but the Eagles need Elliott to return to form this season. He’s coming off back-to-back down years, and yet the team didn’t add competition in camp. Kickers are essentially competing with whoever is on the street. But special teams coordinator Michael Clay’s comment about Elliott during the spring — that his job was to help the 10-year veteran “fall in love with the game again” — made me wonder if Elliott could have benefited from additional pressure.
His camp got off to a solid start in windy conditions. He made 6 of 7 kicks, hitting from around 33, 35, 37, 43, 43 and 46 yards. He hooked a 40-yard try wide left. Elliott has a natural tendency to draw the ball, and the wind was blowing in that direction, so it was a tough kick from the right hashmark. Nevertheless, he has more riding on this summer’s performance than he has in years.
This is a critical season for Elliott so that means this is a critical camp. If he has any real struggles, the team would have to bring in some competition.
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Here is Jimmy on rookie QB Cole Payton.
Cole Payton had a rough day. He threw three INTs. The first one wasn’t his fault. It was a strike to Danny Gray, but the ball clanked off Gray’s body and into the waiting arms of A.J. Epenesa. He was also picked by Chance Campbell deep down the field and by Keyshawn James-Newby in the flat.
Payton threw a couple of pretty touch passes on Wednesday, but Thursday wasn’t his day.
Bo Wulf noted that Payton is getting more reps than most #4 QBs have in Eagles camps. That’s a good sign for him despite the rough day.
Safety: Marcus Epps and Drew Mukuba were first paired together with the first-team defense in team drills. But Michael Carter II also got reps with Mukuba. Carter also paired with Cooper DeJean in some base looks. Epps appears to have the edge, given that he’s gone first on consecutive days. Still, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said he plans to “mix and match” safeties and inside linebackers in practice — that way, they won’t be playing beside each other for the first time if an in-game emergency calls for substitutions.
Fangio said in his PC that he likes to mix and match players so they get used to playing together before real games. He said this is most important at S and ILB. Expect a lot of different groupings at those spots in camp. It’s by design.
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Epenesa had the INT. He also got praised by Fangio in his press conference. That’s a good sign for the veteran edge rusher as he adjusts to a new scheme. He’s played in a 4-3 for all of his career prior to coming to Philly.
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Johnny Mundt is working as TE2 right now. No surprise. The Eagles need his blocking to help the run game be at its best.
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RT Cameron Williams suffered the team’s first camp injury. He went to the medical tent and didn’t return. No word on what happened. With him out, John Ojukwu moved to RT3 and Hollin Pierce took over as LT3.
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CB Mac McWilliams is getting some run with the 2’s and made a nice play in coverage. I’ve gone back and forth on whether the Eagles should keep him or Kelee Ringo.
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You can watch the PHLY crew share their thoughts on camp.