6 reasons for optimism as the Philadelphia Eagles enter training camp
Philadelphia rookies and veterans will report for training camp on July 22, and we're examining six reasons why the Eagles should be optimistic about the 2025 NFL season.
1. DC Vic Fangio
A retooled defense would normally face some reservations about taking a step back in production, but most defensive units don't employ a coordinator like Vic Fangio. In his first season with the Eagles, Philadelphia (278.4 ypg) led the league in total defense for the seventh time in team history, having previously accomplished the feat in 1991, 1981, 1953, 1949, 1945, and 1944 (excludes the 1943 Steagles). Philadelphia ranked 1st in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (174.2) for the second time in the last three years (also 2022, 179.8). Furthermore, the Eagles finished with the NFL lead in defensive points allowed per game (16.9 — their best figure since 15.8 in 2008), opponent three-and-out percentage (39.0%), and FFs (18, tied).
2. HC Nick Sirianni
Jalen Hurts will have another offensive coordinator, and the Eagles will face every team's best shot, but a Super Bowl-winning head coach adds calm to a 2025 squad looking to repeat. Sirianni is battle-tested and has faced every scenario imaginable, having led Philadelphia to the postseason in four consecutive seasons. According to Elias Sports, Sirianni (.706, 48-20) owns the 3rd-highest regular-season winning percentage by a head coach in the Super BowlEra (min. 50 games), trailing only John Madden (.759, 1969-78) and George Allen (.712, 1966-77). Overall, it is the 6th-highest mark in NFL history, behind Guy Chamberlin (.784, 1922-27), Madden, Vince Lombardi (.738, 1959-67, '69), Ray Flaherty (.720, 1936-42), and Allen.
3. Eagles' offensive line
The Eagles have studs at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end, but the overall team success starts and ends with a dominating offensive line. Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are among the two highest-graded offensive tackles in the NFL, and both are All-Pros, while left guard Landon Dickerson and center Cam Jurgens are Pro Bowlers. The right guard position is the only weakness, but this dominant union provides comfort for the entire offense.
4. DT Jalen Carter
We talked about Philadelphia having studs at all three levels, and Carter is among the top three players at his position. The third-year defensive tackle has improved leaps and bounds each year, and could very well reset the market for all non-quarterbacks with another huge season. After earning All-Rookie Team honors, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft had 42 tackles, 12 for loss, 4.5 sacks, 61 combined QB hits and pressures, five pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.
Carter performed at a high level despite playing 80 percent of the defensive snaps, up from 48 percent as a rookie.
5. DeJean and Mitchell
DeJean was among the highest-rated players in the slot, holding opponents to 50 receptions. He had five pass breakups, and quarterbacks had an 82.2 passer rating against him. Mitchell ranked 3rd among NFL CBs with 16 forced incompletions, trailing only Zyon McCollum (17) and Denzel Ward (17). He was 3rd among CBs in yards allowed per coverage snap (0.8) behind Pat Surtain (0.6) and Derek Stingley (0.7) (min. 600 coverage snaps). Even with the loss of Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Isaiah Rodgers, and others, Philadelphia can be optimistic about having two Defensive Rookie of the Year finalists in their secondary.
6. Zack Baun
An outstanding inside linebacker can erase a ton of mistakes and make a defense elite, and that's precisely what Zack Baun did for the Eagles in 2024. Signed to a one-year deal with the idea that he'd add versatility as a pass rusher and linebacker, Baun earned All-Pro honors, and was a finalist for AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Zack Baun was thehighest-graded LB (90.1) by PFF in the regular season, producing 150 tackles and five forced fumbles (2nd in the NFL, behind T.J. Watt – 6). In the playoffs, Baun became the second NFL linebacker since 1991 to generate takeaways in each of their first four career postseason starts (Devin White in 2020), which included a diving interception of Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX.
Baun returns after agreeing to a contract extension, and his presence gives a retooled defense a stud performer at all three levels.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 6 reasons for optimism as the Eagles enter training camp
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 observations from Day 7 of New York Jets training camp
New York Jets 2025 NFL training camp is underway and will be watched under a microscope each and every day. Throughout practices, updates are shared during the workouts which make for intriguing and important notes. In terms of Day 7 of training camp, what stood out the most? Here are three observations from the seventh day of Jets training camp: Folk's strong return Nick Folk re-signed in New York once again this week. He's going to battle for the Jets' starting kicking job and Folk reportedly had a great start: Jets rookie stands out on defense Fifth-round rookie Tyler Baron had a couple of positive play during team drills which caught attention. Against running back Kene Nwangwu, Baron recorded a tackle for loss. At another point, Baron took quarterback Tyrod Taylor down for a would-be sack. Starters hurt The worst news of the day came from the injury front. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and offensive lineman John Simpson both left practice and did not return. Updates revealed those two have calf and back injuries, respectively. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets training camp: 3 observations from Day 7 of workouts
Yahoo
3 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Jets' Quinnen Williams is sidelined with a calf injury and expected to miss 1-2 weeks
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams will be sidelined a week or two with a calf injury after getting hurt in practice Thursday. Coach Aaron Glenn said sitting Williams was a 'precautionary' move and the injury isn't expected to be a long-term issue. 'We want to make sure this player is going to be good,' Glenn said after practice Friday. 'We know what he's all about. We know what he can do. We wanted to hold him out and we'll see how that goes.' Williams was participating in individual drills Thursday when he felt discomfort in his lower leg. He walked into the facility under his own power but sat out the rest of the session. Williams, a Pro Bowl selection the last three seasons, was not present on the field during practice Friday. 'He's actually had this injury before, so he understands exactly how he has to operate and make sure he goes through the process of getting it healed,' Glenn said. Left guard John Simpson also will be sidelined one or two weeks with what Glenn said is a back injury. 'He'll be just fine,' Glenn said. 'Again, another precautionary.' Simpson, entering his second season with the Jets, started every game last season. Rookie safety Malachi Moore, a fourth-round draft pick out of Alabama, is dealing with a strained oblique and also was held out of practice. The Jets got some good news on the injury front with second-year running back Braelon Allen returning after missing the last two practices with soreness in his left knee. 'He's moving around well,' Glenn said. Whistle while you work Aaron Glenn wears a whistle around his neck during practice — a once-common sight among football coaches that has diminished in recent years. But the Jets head coach takes an old-school approach on the field while leading his team. 'I've got to control practice,' a smiling Glenn said when asked why he uses a whistle. 'I've got to stop 'em and tell 'em to go.' When told by a reporter that it's an uncommon sight, Glenn said: 'Listen, they are in tune with this right now." The coach then blew into the whistle and said when players hear that sound, 'They know what this means.' Folk tales Kicker Nick Folk, signed Wednesday by the Jets, returned to the team nine years after last playing for New York. In 2010, one of his Jets teammates was Pro Football Hall of Fame pass rusher Jason Taylor. Fifteen years later, one of Folk's teammates in New York is rookie tight end Mason Taylor, Jason Taylor's son. 'I remember him running around in Cortland when he was little,' Folk said, referring to the Jets' central New York training camp site for five of six summers from 2009 through 2014. 'I just asked him today if he remembers living in New York and he said, 'A little bit.' So, it's a crazy world. Fun to be around.' Folk has another connection to the current Jets: During the offseason of his rookie year with Dallas in 2007, he was briefly teammates with current New York head coach Aaron Glenn before Glenn signed with Jacksonville. ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
5 minutes ago
- USA Today
Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions: How to watch, dates, times, and more
On Saturday, August 2, the Class of 2025 will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Coverage begins at 12 p.m. ET and runs until 3 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is set to induct four new members, and the Eagles will be well represented with famed cornerback Eric Allen finally getting his enshrinement. This year's Hall of Fame class includes Allen, Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, and Sterling Sharpe. The four will receive their gold jackets inside the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The festivities kicked off on Thursday night with the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, with a matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions. With the Saturday afternoon fast approaching, here's how to watch and everything you need to know about the important weekend. Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement On Saturday, August 2, the Class of 2025 will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Coverage for Hall of Fame Saturday begins at noon ET and runs until 3 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+. Fans can also watch on FuboTV. Who is representing the Eagles Eric Allen was the epitome of a shutdown cornerback during his time with the Eagles, and the accolades for his hard work are close to being realized. The former Eagles cornerback was named one of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2025 class. This is the first time Allen has reached this point in the voting process. After years of waiting, Allen was one of four players elected into the 2025 class. A key member of the Eagles' No. 1-ranked and famed Gang Green defense, Allen spent seven seasons with the Eagles. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times and was an All-Pro once, after the 1989 season, when he finished second in the NFL with eight interceptions. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle Allen was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame in 2011.
