Landon Dickerson’s 2026 season carries a different kind of weight for the Eagles.
He’s back, but the story around him this year isn’t just about play. It’s about whether one of the league’s best interior linemen can get back to being himself after a brutal 2025 and a summer that reportedly included thoughts of retirement.
Dickerson’s return matters because the Eagles need the version of him who was central to their Super Bowl LIX run. The three-time Pro Bowler and 2024 All-Pro was a force in the middle, creating room for Saquon Barkley and helping keep Jalen Hurts protected. When he was right, the whole offense looked cleaner.
That wasn’t the case last season. Dickerson entered the year already carrying an injury history, and then his offseason got worse when he suffered a torn meniscus in training camp.
He had surgery and played through it, but he never looked fully like himself. The movement wasn’t the same, the run game lost some of its pop, and Barkley wasn’t nearly as explosive as he had been.
Of course, Dickerson wasn’t the only reason the offense stalled. Lane Johnson missed half the season, Kevin Patullo was in his first year calling plays, and A.J.
Brown was frustrated. There were plenty of moving parts.
Still, Dickerson’s health is one of the biggest reasons there’s optimism now.
He and Cam Jurgens went to Colombia for stem cell treatment, and Jurgens later spoke positively about the benefits of those treatments. Dickerson didn’t speak publicly this spring, but the Eagles are clearly banking on a healthier version of him showing up this fall.
There’s also the contract angle. Philadelphia and Dickerson reworked his deal this offseason and removed the 2028 season, a move that could point to a shorter runway for his career. He remains one of the highest-paid guards in football, and the Eagles are hoping he plays that way.
That’s especially important now, with less proven depth on the interior than the team had in 2025. As new OC Sean Mannion installs his system, Dickerson’s return to form sits near the top of the list of what could determine whether the offense gets back on track.
In Other News...
Cooper DeJean Had The Perfect Reaction To Phillys Stunning New Arrival
Cooper DeJean did not hide his excitement when word spread around Philadelphia about a blockbuster arrival that instantly changed the citys basketball conversation. The Eagles cornerback has already become one of the more intriguing young defenders on the roster, and his reaction fit the kind of cross-sport buzz that tends to follow any major move in Philly, especially one that has fans talking about what comes next.
For DeJean, the timing also lands as his role with the Eagles continues to evolve. Vic Fangio and analyst Chase Senior have discussed ways to get him on the field even more by mixing in work at safety and slot cornerback, a usage plan that would only increase his value to the defense. If DeJean is already this energized by what happened on the basketball side, the Eagles will be hoping that same energy carries over once the football season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Face A Tough Young Pass Rusher Decision
A preseason injury in Carolina has already nudged the edge-rusher market, and it could create a ripple effect for Philadelphia as teams look for help before the regular season gets rolling. The Panthers are suddenly dealing with a major setback on the outside, which is why the Eagles are being mentioned in the same breath as a possible answer if Carolina decides it needs to add another young pass rusher.
For Philadelphia, the conversation is less about a confirmed move than about how much value it places on a young edge defender who has shown enough to draw outside interest. The Eagles have a decision to make with a player on a manageable contract and a profile that could appeal to a team trying to patch a hole quickly, but any deal would have to make sense for a front office that usually does not give away useful pass rush depth without a strong return. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Johnson Just Got A Major NFL Verdict Despite Lingering Concerns
Lane Johnsons standing around the league remains as strong as ever, even with the kind of late-season injury that usually invites a little more skepticism. FanSideds writers placed the Eagles right tackle ninth on their list of the top 50 NFL players entering the 2026 season, a reminder that his reputation is still built on years of elite play, not just name value.
Johnsons rsum already speaks for itself with six Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro nods and two Super Bowl rings, and he was still performing at a high level before his 2025 season was cut short. The bigger question for Philadelphia is how much more he has left in the tank, especially after a foot issue interrupted what had been another dominant stretch up front. Saquon Barkley and Cooper DeJean also made the list, landing at 23rd and 42nd, respectively. [Read more 🡒]