Every training camp in Philadelphia seems to produce at least one surprise. Sometimes it’s a player who flashes all summer and never makes it past final cuts. Sometimes it’s someone who keeps stacking good days until the Eagles have no choice but to keep him around.
That’s the game here, and this summer brings a fresh batch of names worth watching.
Ainias Brown already made noise at minicamp, where his speed stood out when he got behind defenders. The Eagles didn’t ask him to go deep often, but the burst was obvious against a strong cornerback group.
Jalen Hurts is excellent at the deep ball, and that should give the Eagles a chance to find Brown’s usage in 11-on-11 work. The targets won’t be plentiful, but Brown is in the mix for the WR2 battle.
Tank Bigsby also turned heads in minicamp, showing off his explosiveness while settling into the Eagles’ new offense. He’s not going to pile up carries with Saquon Barkley locked in as the RB1, but the Eagles will need Bigsby to give Barkley a breather during the season. He runs with quickness and force, and he looks like a player trying to earn more than a temporary role.
At right tackle, the summer is about development and survival for Bell. The position will be a challenge to learn, but his physical style should show up against the Eagles’ pass rushers.
He’s going to get tested all summer by Jonathan Greenard, Nolan Smith, and Jalyx Hunt, and those reps matter as he tries to become the heir apparent to Lane Johnson. This is a major stretch for Bell, and the Eagles have reason to be encouraged by his upside.
On the defensive line, Young looks ready to push for a bigger role after an impressive season in a crowded rotation. He may have been the most improved player on the team if not for Moro Ojomo.
With the No. 4 defensive tackle spot open, Young appears positioned to win it. He’s come a long way since being essentially redshirted two years ago, and now he’s got a real chance to cash in on that progress.
Mondon is another player the Eagles are developing for the long haul. He had a strong camp last year and even got first-team reps in dime packages, but the linebacker room is four-deep, so there won’t be much playing time waiting for him in Week 1. That depth is part of the point - the Eagles like where they are at linebacker, and Mondon is part of that pipeline.
Pulley, the undrafted free agent safety, has a path to a roster spot if he can keep making plays. At Wofford, he built a reputation as a ball hawk with seven interceptions, including three touchdowns.
With uncertainty at safety and openings on the roster, he has a real chance to get noticed. If Pulley is around the football and coming up with picks, he’ll force his way into the conversation.
Kendall is coming off a strong rookie summer and handled himself well when he started at center in Week 18. Now he has a shot at the No. 3 guard job, and the competition gives him a clear lane.
He’ll also get work at center because the Eagles will be careful with Cam Jurgens, while continuing to take reps at right guard. That flexibility gives Kendall a strong chance to stick.
Wilson rounds out the group after spending last summer turning things around before season-ending knee and ankle injuries cut him off. This spring, he was catching passes in the middle of the field and giving Jalen Hurts a dependable target.
Hurts likes Wilson, which matters, and the roster math helps too, with two wide receiver spots open. He blocks, he does the dirty work, and every team can use a receiver built like that.
Wilson will get his chances this summer to show exactly why he belongs.
In Other News...
Jets Suddenly Linked To A Quarterback Move That Could Matter
The quarterback picture behind Andy Dalton has become a little more interesting for Philadelphia, with Tanner McKee now drawing trade speculation as teams look around for depth help. McKee is in the final year of his rookie deal, which gives the Eagles a straightforward decision point: keep developing him as a young reserve or see whether another club is willing to part with a draft pick to get him.
One team that could fit the bill is the Jets, who have been mentioned as a possible landing spot if they decide they want another arm in the room. For Philadelphia, the appeal is obvious because even a modest return would add value, and the market for backup quarterbacks can move quickly once a team starts looking for stability behind its starter. [Read more 🡒]
Saquon Barkleys Eagles Future Suddenly Feels Less Secure
Saquon Barkleys first season in Philadelphia looked like the kind of addition that could anchor the offense for years, with the veteran running back delivering a strong 2024 and helping justify the investment the Eagles made to bring him in. But the conversation around his future has shifted after a quieter 2025, and now his contract structure is starting to matter as much as his production.
The Eagles already have a backup in Tank Bigsby, and they are juggling other major financial choices as several key players move toward extension talks. Barkley still has guaranteed money ahead of him, along with an option bonus later in the deal, which means Philadelphia has to decide whether the next chapter is a continuation of the partnership or a harder business decision than anyone expected when he arrived. [Read more 🡒]