Every season is a marathon, another year that tests an organization's ability to withstand injuries, developmental struggles, and the ebbs and flows of a grueling 17-game NFL regular season.
Every franchise will face challenges, but the most successful have the depth to overcome them and perform with minimal drop-off, if any at all. Having some good luck to avoid the injury bug is always a factor as well.
The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, but some question marks behind key starters could determine the fate of the 2026 season.
Dickerson is one of the most important pieces of the Eagles’ offensive identity. Still, he finished 2025 injured, underwent an experimental procedure this offseason, and enters 2026 learning a new offense and adapting to the wide-zone scheme.
Make it: Lando is healthy, the new OL-friendly scheme is effective, and the Eagles remain dominant up front, and the run game controls games.
Break it: If the injuries affect his performance, the interior pressure is leaky, and inconsistent run blocking puts QB Jalen Hurts in bad situations and stifles the running game. Philly seems to be in a better position in terms of interior line depth, but one never knows until it is tested.
The Eagles have not had an effective succession plan for Jurgens’ injuries, and the center position is the one that makes the entire offensive line work. The Eagles are also transitioning away from the Jeff Stoutland era, with Chris Kuper now coaching the offensive line.
Make it: Another OL who had an experimental off-season procedure. He seems to be healthy. If Jurgens is consistent, he will settle in the middle of the line, and the new scheme should be a success.
Break it: Another injury or instability at center creates problems throughout the offensive line, and nobody on the roster can adequately cover the loss.
This is a boom-or-bust player for me. The Eagles don’t need Hollywood Brown to be AJ Brown receiver. They need him to provide the explosive element that forces defenses to respect the entire field. He had a relatively quiet camp while adjusting to the new offense, but can still prove valuable to it.
Make it: Brown becomes the vertical threat that opens things up for the receivers underneath, and creates space in the running game.
This might be the biggest one after Dickerson. He’s 36 and coming off an injury that ended his 2025 season, though he entered camp saying he was back to 100%. He has stated this could be his final season, and his swansong depends on his ability to remain on the field.
Make it: If Lane plays like one of the league’s best right tackles, as he has over the last decade, he affords Hurts more time to survey the field, the running backs to get through holes, and keeps the OL in sync.
Break it: If age and injury catch up faster, the right side of the line could become a problem and force the Eagles to start a rookie at the position, or rely on swing tackle Fred Johnson.
Bell is a third-round pick who has had a great training camp and put many good things on film during the pre-season. The competition will be far tougher during the regular season, and he has yet to be tested against an NFL starting defensive line.
Make It: If the Eagles need Markel to start, it means things are south with one of their starting tackles, and they would be asking the rookie to play as he belongs. At 6-foot-9 and 346 pounds, Bell has the rare physical traits Philadelphia targeted when it selected him 68th overall. He has been one of the Eagles’ most impressive rookies throughout training camp, showing the ability to move people in the run game while holding his own in pass protection. If he sees the field and can continue that type of production, the offense could be dangerous.
Break It: If Bell is overwhelmed by NFL pass rushers or struggles with the consistency required at tackle, it could put pressure on an offense that is counting on its offensive line to remain a strength. Bell has the talent to be Lane Johnson’s eventual successor. The question is whether he can be more than the swing tackle many believe he can be as a rookie.
