5 causes for concern as Eagles enter training camp
With training camp just hours away, we're looking at five causes for concern this season for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Super Bowl
In NFL history, just nine teams have won back-to-back Super Bowls. The most recent team to win it back-to-back? The Chiefs, who won it all in 2022 and 2023. Philadelphia won the Super Bowl, so a hangover isn't the concern, but the ability to take the opposing team's best shot is something to monitor. Since 2004, 14 Super Bowl winners have returned to the playoffs, while five teams have missed the playoffs, including the 2022 Rams, who went 5-12 and missed the postseason.
Saquon Barkley's health
Before joining the Eagles, Saquon Barkley tore his ACL in 2020 and played just two games. That was the only season he failed to play in at least 13. A perceived history of 'injury' is overrated, but Barkley led the NFL with 378 touches last year, 4th-most in Eagles history. There was no drop-off during the postseason, but what happens this season, and how can Philadelphia avoid repeating history and a decline in production?
Lack of dependable third WR
Philadelphia is likely to carry four or five wide receivers on the depth chart, and a critical issue could be the lack of a reliable third wide receiver. Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson were both draft picks who contributed on offense as rookies in 2024. Elijah Cooks and Danny Gray were on the practice squad last season. Cooks offers size at 6-4, 215 pounds. The player Eagles fans would prefer to break out is Jahan Dotson. Dotson was acquired just before the start of the 2024 season, so this marks the first Training Camp in Philadelphia for the former first-round pick out of Penn State. Dotson had a season-best 94 yards on seven catches in the regular-season finale, then scored his first touchdown as an Eagle in the Wild Card win over Green Bay.
The Eagles' young group of defenders
The defense has undergone an overhaul after defensive tackle Milton Williams (New England), Josh Sweat (Arizona), cornerback Darius Slay (Pittsburgh), cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (Minnesota), and linebacker Oren Burks (Cincinnati) all departed via free agency.
OLB Nolan Smith: 24DT Jordan Davis: 25DT Jalen Carter: 24OLB Jalyx Hunt: 24LB Jihaad Campbell: 21LB Zack Baun: 28NCB Cooper DeJean: 22CB Quinyon Mitchell: 24CB Kelee Ringo: 23S Reed Blankenship: 26S Drew Mukuba: 22
The Eagles added ten talented rookies on NFL draft weekend. After watching 12 players depart in free agency, Roseman added two dynamic SEC linebackers, an All-American pass rusher, three offensive linemen, and an accomplished quarterback from Philadelphia. Of the list of potential Eagles starters, Zach Baun is the elder statesman at 28 years old.
Is Kevin Patullo prepared for this moment?
The Eagles' new offensive coordinator has never called plays in 20-plus years of coaching in college and the NFL.
Patullo has worked with Hurts for four seasons, so he understands his likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses. Patullo also fully grasps the capabilities of running back Saquon Barkley and wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. He'll need to hit the ground running.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles training camp: 5 causes for concern
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