The Philadelphia Eagles did a lot of stuff this offseason. New offensive coordinator. Key free agent losses. A blockbuster trade involving A.J. Brown. But the thing that actually kept them from making noise last year wasn’t just the playoff loss. It was how they lost — flat, uninspired, exposed. And now, with training camp about to start, there are three specific problems Philly has to solve or they’ll be watching the Super Bowl from home again.
Let’s start with the new offense, because that’s where the most obvious change is happening.
Sean Mannion’s scheme isn’t going to learn itself
Sean Mannion replaced Kevin Patullo as offensive coordinator after the 2025 season. He comes from Green Bay, where he soaked up Matt LaFleur’s system. But Mannion’s real influences are Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. That means a zone-running scheme with heavy play-action off it. The Eagles ran a lot of inside zone last year. This could look different.
Saquon Barkley doesn’t need to rush for 2,000 yards again. But he does need to be effective enough that Jalen Hurts doesn’t have to carry the offense on his back. The offensive line returns mostly intact. The question is whether Hurts can operate a timing-based system that asks him to make quick decisions and throw with anticipation. That’s never been his strongest trait. If it clicks early, watch out. If it doesn’t, the Eagles could stumble out of the gate.
The NFC East isn’t getting any easier
Dallas is still Dallas — talented, unpredictable, always a threat. The Commanders look competent for the first time in years. The Giants are rebuilding but have draft capital. Philly wants to win the division. Not just to make the playoffs, but to secure home field and avoid a first-round trip to, say, Lambeau Field or SoFi Stadium against a red-hot opponent.
The ideal path is simple: sweep the Cowboys. Or at least split with them. A sweep would give the Eagles a real cushion in the standings and probably force Dallas to play on wild-card weekend. Last season showed that any NFC North team can beat you. The Packers, Lions, and Bears all have playoff potential. The Rams and Seahawks are lurking out West. The South has sleepers. Philly cannot afford to go one-and-done again because they played tough on the road in January.
The pass rush is thinner than a pretzel stick
This might be the biggest problem nobody’s talking about. The Eagles lost Jaelan Phillips to Carolina in free agency. Josh Sweat left for Arizona the year before. The draft picks they’ve invested at edge rusher haven’t produced. Nolan Smith Jr. was a first-round pick who hasn’t looked like one yet. The depth behind him is Arnold Ebiketie and Jalyx Hunt. That’s not ideal.
Philly brought in Jonathan Greenard from Houston. He’ll start opposite Smith. But after that, it gets sketchy. Jalen Carter could take a step forward after signing his extension, but he’s an interior rusher. The Eagles might need to get creative — using linebacker Jihaad Campbell as a blitzer, or moving him outside on passing downs. Whatever they do, they need to get pressure on the quarterback. Elite offenses will carve up a defense that can’t rush the passer. And the NFC is loaded with elite offenses right now.
Training camp starts this week. The answers start coming soon. The Eagles have the pieces. But three things have to go right, or this season ends the same way last one did — too early.
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