The start of the Eagles season could not have come at a better time (looking directly at you Phillies). In the thick of summertime and after a tumultuous off season, we simply need to see this team play some football. There’s plenty of things to pay attention to as well. Let’s break them down.
Extensions
- Jalen Carter – Will they or won’t they? Many are concerned that the Eagles are not convinced Carter is dedicated enough for a monster extension now that he is eligible. While that’s certainly possible, the Eagles also had plenty of other business to take care of this summer and could be waiting until training camp to get a deal done. Since he has a 5th year option next season, there is no rush.
- Jordan Mailata – Mailata is technically under contract for 3 more seasons at reasonable cap hits. However, there is no more guaranteed money left on the deal. He has twice previously agreed to early extensions, so there is reason to believe another is close at hand. I dove into that possible extension here.
- DeVonta Smith – Smith has been a good soldier his entire career so far and has been recently elevated to WR1. By WR1 standards, he is underpaid. Though his 2026 contract is guaranteed and his 2027 contract becomes guaranteed as soon as this season starts, an extension is very possible to put him in line with other WRs of his caliber. After all, that is exactly what they did with AJ Brown after his first two years here.
- Moro Ojomo – Ojomo is extension eligible, but don’t hold your breath. Not only is his trajectory on a steep rise, but the Eagles just invested in Jordan Davis and have plans for Jalen Carter. Plus, anyone lined up next to Carter is just waiting to get paid by someone else. They will probably talk, but there isn’t a legitimate middle ground between the two sides.
- Tyler Steen – There hasn’t been a peep about a new contract for 4th year guard Steen. He’s in the last year of his contract though and is the presumptive starter. His future depends a LOT on his camp.
Position Battles
- QB2: Tanner McKee vs Andy Dalton
- The Eagles traded for Dalton this offseason and it had me thinking a trade for Tanner McKee was waiting to happen. Maybe it still is with him in the last year of his contract and Cole Payton a recent draft pick. Otherwise, it is weird to spend money and draft picks (no matter how little) on someone like Dalton.
- RG: Tyler Steen vs Willie Lampkin
- The starting job is Steen’s to lose, but I think we are all a little irrational about the possibility of Lampkin being a real thing. If he is, then all of a sudden Steen becomes a possible trade candidate. Why? Because he is making an unguaranteed $3.6m this year in the last year of his rookie contract. I don’t see him as an extension candidate either though it is possible with a good camp.
- Swing Tackle: Markel Bell vs Fred Johnson
- The rookie or the savior? The Eagles want this job to go to Bell, the monster they just drafted out of the University of Miami. If he shows that he knows what he is doing, he is at least on track for replacing Lane Johnson at some point. If Johnson beats him with his near minimum contract, it will sting.
- WR5+:
- The Eagles added a bunch of WRs in the offseason. Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown likely have guaranteed jobs due to their contracts. Elijah Moore though will be fighting with Johnny Wilson and Darius Cooper for the 5th and possibly 6th spots.
What Draft Picks and Other Rookies Make the Team?
- Makai Lemon, Eli Stowers, and Markel Bell are locks
- Cole Payton: Though it has happened before with Kyle McCord and Clayton Thorson, the plan isn’t to use a 5th round pick on a QB just to cut him. If Payton shows anything during camp it will make trading wither McKee or Dalton that much more likely. Still, the practice squad isn’t out of the question
- Micah Morris: Morris is another reason a Tyler Steen trade is probably more likely than an extension. Granted he was only a 6th round pick, but there is some real potential here for Morris to make the team even if the offensive line is a little crowded
- Cole Wisniewski: The best chance the 7th rounder has of making the team is on special teams. He’s a safety that converted from a LB so he is rather large and rather fast for his size.
- Uar Bernard: This is the interesting one. Bernard has no experience but is the biggest, strongest, fastest athlete you have ever seen. While there are foreign player exemptions for the practice squad, that doesn’t count for the main roster. The Eagles would need to roster him into the regular season to keep him or risk losing him before he could get to the practice squad (this is what happened to the Rams with Willie Lampkin last year). If he does make the team, then a phantom IR designation could be possible but that would stop him from working out with the team. Unless he is simply a total mess (which he apparently is not), expect him to make the team but be inactive all season.
- Keyshawn James-Newby: The odds are stacked against him, but the small pass rusher has the speed and body type that would thrive on special teams.
- Deontae Lawson: The undrafted rookie Lawson went from 1st round lock to undrafted in the span of 2 years. The Eagles are hoping that more time lapsing since his torn ACL will make all the difference and he becomes a steal.
- Josh Weru: Weru is the other International Pathway Program player in the building and could take the practice program exemption slot due to his (like Bernard) unbelievable athletic traits.
- Rocco Underwood: The Eagles need a long snapper and he is the #3 most athletic long snapper in 40 years so of course he is making this team.
Photo: Philadelphia Eagles (I can’t find one that says Jefferson Health!)
PHILLY FRONT OFFICE 
Leave a comment