The Eagles are heading into 2026 with a familiar headline and a very different offensive setup.
Sean Mannion is in as the new offensive coordinator, and this is a major shift for Philadelphia. Mannion, a former NFL quarterback who has never called plays before this season, is now tasked with steering an offense that won’t look much like the one the Eagles have leaned on in recent years. The plan is more Kyle Shanahan-esque, which means Jalen Hurts and the offensive line will be asked to operate in a different rhythm than they have before.
That change alone would be enough to create questions. Add in a reshaped receiving group, and the early part of the season suddenly looks like a real prove-it stretch.
ESPN’s Tim McManus expects exactly that kind of start, writing that the group could be "boom or bust" early. He also noted, "The results were mixed this summer, as Hurts leans into elements of the game he has not majored in previously, and the group overall works to sync up," McManus writes. "Expect some boom or bust early."
Hurts isn’t just adjusting to a new system. He’s doing it while building chemistry with a different set of pass-catchers.
Jahan Dotson and A.J. Brown are gone, which leaves DeVonta Smith as the only established wideout in the room.
Dariius Cooper is the only other familiar name for Hurts, while Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore round out the rest of the receiver group.
There are still some steady pieces in place. Saquon Barkley remains the starting running back, and Dallas Geodert is still the starting tight end. But even with those anchors, the overall picture points to an offense that may need time before it settles in.
That’s why a shaky opening wouldn’t be a shock. The Eagles have already lived through a version of this kind of start, with Kellen Moore’s offense in 2024 taking a while to sort itself out. Mannion’s system brings another big adjustment, and the combination of a new scheme and a new receiver group could make the early weeks uneven.
Still, the upside is obvious. If Hurts and the offense find their groove, this could become one of the most dangerous units in the league. Pair that with an elite defense, and the 2026 season has the kind of ceiling that could end with a third Eagles Super Bowl in the last decade.
In Other News...
Eagles Quietly Fixed A Week 1 Problem Fans Remember Too Well
After a season in which tight end blocking was too often a lingering issue, the Eagles have made a quiet but pointed addition in Johnny Mundt, a veteran known more for the work he does without the ball than with it. Philadelphia brought him in to help stabilize the edge of the formation, where tight ends can have just as much responsibility in protection and the run game as they do as pass targets, especially on the right side of the line.
Mundt joins a tight end room that still has Dallas Goedert as the biggest receiving threat, along with E.J. Jenkins and rookie Eli Stowers, giving the Eagles a blend of roles as they get ready for Washington in Week 1. The move does not change the identity of the group, but it does suggest the staff is serious about cleaning up a part of the offense fans noticed last year, even if the bigger questions around usage and matchups are still waiting to be answered. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Have A Camp Battle Fans Should Feel Better About
The Eagles have spent camp shoring up the interior of their offensive line, and the early returns are enough to make the competition feel more like an encouraging sign than a problem. Howie Roseman has been vocal about his confidence in the growth of Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin and Micah Morris, a trio that has given the staff reasons to believe the depth along the front is moving in the right direction.
Drew Kendall and Willie Lampkin have been the most visible parts of that battle, each showing enough at guard to make a real case for playing time. Both have also contributed heavily in preseason action, and offensive line coach Chris Kuper has pointed to their progress and consistency throughout camp, which is exactly the kind of development the Eagles want to see before the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Home Opener Could Mean More Than Fans Realize
The Eagles are getting set for their Week 1 home opener against the Washington Commanders, and the usual buzz around the start of a new season carries a quieter layer of significance. For Philadelphia, this one could double as a look at two familiar faces who have been part of some of the franchises biggest moments: veteran tight end Dallas Goedert and right tackle Lane Johnson.
Goedert is playing on a one-year deal, with Eli Stowers waiting in the wings as a possible successor, while Johnson is viewed as someone who may be nearing the finish line of his career. Both have been central figures for the Eagles and have helped deliver two Super Bowl rings, which makes the possibility of this being their last home opener at Lincoln Financial Field feel like more than just another early-September game. [Read more 🡒]