Every preseason, I ponder the many storylines that could unfold in the upcoming year, along with some questions that could arise, mixed with a few of my own bold predictions.
As new players emerge, expectations rise, questions are asked, and the Philly fan base starts to believe this could be the year everything comes together again.
This piece is a collection of ideas, observations, questions, and predictions gathered heading into the season, and my attempt at assembling those thoughts.
1- I am most excited about seeing how the young tight end core develops behind Dallas Goedert. The rookie Eli Stowers is an intriguing player. His QB background, understanding spacing, excellent athleticism, natural instincts, and positional versatility make him a difficult matchup for linebackers and safeties. His development over the summer will dictate how much he contributes in his rookie season, but the ceiling is high for the tight end! And the UDFA Dae’Quan Wright is really exciting as well. Wright hauled in 39 receptions for 635 yards and five touchdowns
2-My bigger question mark is whether the secondary can consistently create takeaways. Q has a few in the postseason, but he doesnt have any during the season, and Riq Woolen had 6 his rookie season 4 years ago and only 6 since.
3- The first player I’ll be watching during training camp will be Makai Lemon. Can he separate against NFL-caliber corners? College athleticism doesn’t always translate immediately. Training camp is the first real test against physical NFL defensive backs. He has been injured during the OTAs, and we have seen very little. How quickly does he earn Jalen Hurts’ trust? Hurts has historically favored receivers who are precise with their routes and are exactly where they’re supposed to be. If Lemon starts getting first-team reps or catches from Hurts early, that’s a meaningful sign.
4- The first thing Eagles fans on Twitter will blame/overreact to will be every incomplete pass by Jalen Hurts in the first open practice. The funny part is that training camp practices are designed for experimentation. Quarterbacks test tight-window throws, coaches install new concepts, and defenses often know what’s coming. A rough practice rarely predicts the regular season.
5- The one thing nobody is talking about is how important replacing leadership in the locker room will be. The fans dislike A.J. Brown, but he was a team captain for a reason. If they lose Graham as well, those are two big personalities to fill. DeVonta Smith will likely take over as a captain, and with that could entail leading by more than just example; he and Hurts may have to be more verbal leaders.
Honorable mention to losing DB coach Cristian Parker.
6- The position battle I’ll be watching most closely is WR3. Dontayvion Wicks is one of the veterans of the WR3 camp bodies. He has experience, understands the offense, and has chemistry with new coordinator Sean Mannion. Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore are two more: one with proven speed, the other with separation ability. Johnny Wilson is also the forgotten man, an astounding blocker and red-zone threat; he is in the mix for one of the 6 wide receiver spots.
Honorable mention to safety two.
7- I’ll be worried if the pass rush isn’t generating pressure without having to blitz. They have the talent to excel at this skill, and with the DBs playing behind them, they should have extra time as well. Bringing heat and disrupting opposing QBs' timing should be done regularly.
8- The Philly media headline after one bad Eagles game will be “Is it time to move on from Jalen Hurts?”
Next…
9- The first player Eagles fans will want benched will be the defensive back who gives up one deep touchdown. That player will likely be whoever the safety opposite Mukuba is.
10- I’ll know this team is special when they win an ugly game where nothing comes easy. Every great team has one or two of them every season. Being able to pull out those games is what distinguishes the good from the great.
Honorable mention: when they get to the offensive line with more than five seconds left.
11- The move that will define the season will be Vic Fangio trusting the young defensive backs to play aggressively. Fangio is going to unleash the “No ‘Phly Zone” to disrupt and create chaos, which will result in more turnovers via interceptions than they have had in a long time.
12- The most random Eagles player to score a touchdown in 2026 will be Moro Ojomo (on a fumble recovery).
13- By Week 18, everyone will be talking about the Eagles having another top-five defense. I do not think this is hard to imagine. They are stacked, and have one of the top defensive minds in the game. Them not being a top 5 defense would be more surprising. Fangio has hinted at throwing more wrinkles at opposing offenses, and I cannot wait to see it.
14- The player whose jersey will be everywhere by December will be Makai Lemon. He will have convinced the Philly faithful that he is the man for the job alongside DeVonta Smith by breaking Smitty’s rookie receiving yard record.
15- The player who will have the most unhinged WIP caller takes will be Jalen Hurts. (As always) For whatever reason, he is the most polarizing player at QB in the NFL.
16- The weirdest thing that will happen this season will be Jordan Mailata catching a touchdown pass from Saquon Barkley. Many expected him to line up at FB and run one in rugby style, but it will come via the air.
17- The player who will make us all look silly for questioning them will be Andrew Mukuba. (People will underestimate how quickly he adjusts) He was an absolute stud at Texas, and if healthy, he will be in the NFL as well. The Fangio defense is designed for him to flourish, and in 2026 he will.
18- The one stat from the 2026 season that will shock everyone will be that the Eagles will lead the league in turnover differential. They won't give up many, but they'll create a lot!
19- When we look back at this team next offseason, we’ll remember it for how the next generation of Eagles stars officially arrived. Many of the young stars will have officially taken the torch and run with it. Jalyx Hunt, Dru Mukuba, Makai Lemon, and maybe even Eli Stowers and Markel Bell if they are forced to the field for meaningful snaps.
20- The one thing I promise not to overreact to this season will be one ugly offensive performance in September. There will be a learning curve, and overreacting to every adjustment, play, and bad set of downs is pointless. They will have this rolling by October; no need to stress out over mishaps the first few weeks. Remember 2024?
For an off-season that saw Philadelphia lose their WR1, an offensive line Coach in Jeff Stoutland that was their offensive identity for 13 years, and bring in a new OC and, more importantly, a new offense, the fanbase is very optimistic.
The defense, led by Vic Fangio, assuages all fears on that side of the ball, and the offensive changes should modernize the offense and make it fun in Philadelphia again.
Let me know what’s on your mind as we get closer to preseason.
As always, thank you for reading!
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