It’s mid-July and the 2026 Eagles look good on paper. Sean Mannion is calling plays. Vic Fangio is back to dial up an elite defense. They patched most of the holes free agency punched in the roster. Losing A.J. Brown stings and Reed Blankenship’s departure leaves the safety spot light in subpackages. But all things considered, this is a team that could make a real run.
Which brings up a fun question: if you built an all-time Eagles roster good enough to go 20-0 and win a third Super Bowl, who actually makes the cut from this current team? Let’s pick through the roster position by position.
Quarterback: Randall Cunningham
The Eagles don’t have one undisputed GOAT at quarterback. They have Hall of Famers, Super Bowl MVPs, and Donovan McNabb who won as much as anyone in franchise history. But if you need to win every single game, you need a guy who can do everything. That’s Randall Cunningham, “The Ultimate Weapon,” playing in the 80s and 90s but built for 2026. Over 11 seasons in Philly he threw for 22,877 yards, ran for 4,928, and accounted for 185 total touchdowns. He’d be a nightmare for modern defensive coordinators.
Running Back: LeSean McCoy
Last year it was tempting to anoint Saquon Barkley after arguably the greatest single rushing season in NFL history. But Barkley underwhelmed in 2025. So LeSean McCoy’s spot as the franchise’s best back stays secure. He’s the all-time leading rusher. He holds the single-season touchdown record. The Eagles still don’t give out No. 25. That tells you everything.
Wide Receivers: Mike Quick, Harold Carmichael, DeSean Jackson
Quick and Carmichael are no-brainers. They set the standard for Eagles receivers. The third spot in 11 personnel is the hard part. Terrell Owens had dominant stretches and A.J. Brown’s four-year run from 2022 to 2025 was incredible. But with size and volume already covered, why not add pure speed? DeSean Jackson brought home-run ability as a receiver and was legendary on special teams. He might be the most electrifying receiver to ever wear wings on his helmet.
Tight End: Zach Ertz
The Eagles don’t have a definitive tight end. Dallas Goedert has had a great run since 2018 and Brent Celek was a staple from 2007 to 2017. But Zach Ertz, who played between them, might be the best of the bunch even if you ignore his success elsewhere. From 2013 to 2020 he caught 579 passes for 6,267 yards and 38 touchdowns. He wasn’t an elite blocker, but Carson Wentz ran the offense through him during the Doug Pederson era. That strategy is a big reason there’s a “Philly Philly” statue outside the Linc.
Offensive Line: Jason Peters, Todd Herremans, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson has cemented himself as the greatest right tackle in franchise history. Jordan Mailata might eventually do the same on the left, but Jason Peters gets the nod for his longevity and success across multiple systems. At guard, Todd Herremans and Brandon Brooks both found homes in Philadelphia with high-end play. And Jason Kelce is the single greatest interior lineman in franchise history, no offense to Chuck Bednarik.
Defensive Line: Jerome Brown, Reggie White, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham
Two names are written in permanent marker: Jerome Brown and Reggie White. Fletcher Cox is still the Eagles’ best defensive lineman of the 21st century, though Jalen Carter could take that spot on his next contract. For the fourth spot in a 4-3 base, Brandon Graham played more consecutive seasons with the Eagles than any other player in franchise history. That gets him the nod over Trent Cole, Connor Barwin, Josh Sweat, and Clyde Simmons.
Linebackers: Jeremiah Trotter, Zack Baun
Jeremiah Trotter, “The Ax Man,” locks in at one spot. For the second, current starter Zack Baun is the perfect fit because of his ability to drop into coverage. Vic Fangio turned him from a backup edge rusher and core special teamer into an All-Pro inside linebacker. Baun can rush the passer, react to the run, and cover everyone from running backs to tight ends to slot receivers. That lets Trotter patrol the middle the way he did in the early 2000s.
Cornerbacks: Eric Allen, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean
For years Eric Allen and Troy Vincent held the top spots with Darius Slay and Asante Samuel fighting for third. Now the Eagles might have two of the best they’ve ever had in Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. Mitchell hasn’t picked off many passes, but he’s only allowed four touchdowns in 32 games and regularly shuts down elite receivers. DeJean plays mostly in the slot because he might be the best in the NFL at that role right now. If his career keeps going this way, he’s on a Hall of Fame track.
Safeties: Brian Dawkins, Malcolm Jenkins
Brian Dawkins is set in stone. One of the defining safeties of his generation, his instincts, athleticism, and sheer bravado would make him a Hall of Famer in any era. For the second spot, Malcolm Jenkins is the Eagles’ last great safety. He could cover the slot, play in the box, or stay back deep. With DeJean in the slot and Jenkins roaming, the Eagles could defend almost anyone without needing subpackages.
Special Teams: David Akers, Braden Mann, Jon Dorenbos
David Akers gets the nod for his longevity and five Pro Bowl appearances from 2001 to 2010. Braden Mann is one of seven current players on this list. He already holds Eagles records for gross and net single-season punting averages and is under contract through 2028 on a four-year, $14 million deal. And Jon Dorenbos does magic tricks. Not much else to say.
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