The Rams just handed the Eagles a familiar kind of problem, and it lands right on Philadelphia’s doorstep in Week 4 of the 2026 season.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Los Angeles is bringing back Aaron Donald on a one-year, $20 million contract. With incentives, that deal could climb to $30 million for the 2026 season.
For the Eagles, that means the nightmare matchup is real again. Donald, who spent 10 seasons with the Rams, made the Pro Bowl every year of his career. He also piled up eight first-team All-Pro selections, three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, and a Super Bowl ring.
Philadelphia now has to deal with him in a Week 4 meeting against a Rams team that already added Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett to the defense during the offseason. That only makes the task harder for an Eagles offensive line that already has plenty to prove in 2026.
Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, and Cam Jurgens all dealt with injuries in 2026, and they’re the three Eagles linemen who have made the Pro Bowl. Along with Jordan Mailata and Tyler Steen, they’ll be charged with keeping Jalen Hurts upright when Donald comes after him.
There’s also a bigger concern hanging over the unit. Philadelphia has long been known for having one of the league’s best offensive lines, but the 2025 season raised questions. Health was part of it, but the offense also struggled with inefficiency and made things tougher on itself.
Now the pressure shifts to new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and offensive line coach Chris Kuper. They’ll have to sort out the protection plan early, because Week 4 already brings a brutal test.
For an Eagles team trying to get back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years, this is about as rough as the draw gets. With Donald back in Los Angeles, the Rams suddenly look like the kind of team that can make life miserable for Philadelphia right away.
In Other News...
Howie Roseman Just Sent A Message To The Eagles CB Room
The Eagles added another name to their practice squad mix this week, bringing in former Ravens cornerback Robert Longerbeam as they keep sorting through options in the secondary. Longerbeam was a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his path has already included a season lost to a torn patellar tendon, which makes this a low-risk, high-upside look for a team that is never shy about churning the bottom of the roster.
Longerbeam was part of a broader wave of additions, with Philadelphia also signing wide receiver Danny Gray, offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie and running back Jaydon Blue. For the cornerback room, the move reinforces how aggressively the Eagles are continuing to collect bodies and competition, leaving the shape of the group very much in flux as the team keeps evaluating who can stick. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Just Took A Quiet Flier On Former Draft Picks
The Eagles finished filling out their 17-man practice squad by adding a small batch of familiar names and fresh lottery tickets, a move that fits the way they like to stock the back end of the roster. Wide receiver Danny Gray, offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie, cornerback Robert Longerbeam and running back Jaydon Blue all landed on the group, giving Philadelphia a mix of developmental depth at several spots while keeping the emphasis on players with some draft pedigree or previous camp exposure.
For a team that consistently treats the practice squad as more than just paperwork, the additions are notable because they widen the pool behind the 53-man roster without forcing any immediate decisions. The Eagles also have their international exemption spot occupied by defensive tackle Uar Bernard, so the group is now in place, leaving the next question to be how quickly any of these former draft picks can turn a quiet signing into something more meaningful. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Take A Flier On A Former Cowboys Draft Pick
Jaydon Blues move across the NFC East gives the Eagles another look at a back they once had to plan against, and it comes with a little bit of intrigue for a practice squad spot. The former Cowboys fifth-round pick was one of Dallas depth options last year, and his path through the league has already included real game action after injuries pushed him into the mix.
Blue never quite turned those chances into steady production in Dallas, though, and that inconsistency ultimately left him vulnerable when roster cuts arrived. Philadelphia is taking the chance anyway, adding him to the practice squad and betting that a change of scenery can make the most of a player whose talent has flashed even as his role has remained unsettled. [Read more 🡒]