6 Eagles with the most to prove during training camp
The Eagles held a marvelous Super Bowl 59 ring ceremony on Friday. After the final celebration of February's win over Kansas City, Philadelphia will now officially turn the page and quickly refocus on the task at hand. The hunters are now the hunted, and the Birds will report on Tuesday with the mindset of defending their title and staying hungry in the process.
Lost in the celebration is the urgency that several key players and one high-profile assistant coach will face over the next few weeks, as each individual plays a crucial role in a potential return to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara.
With rookies and veterans now at the NovaCare Complex for training camp, we're looking at the six Eagles with the most to prove.
OC Kevin Patullo
Nick Sirianni's longtime confidant, who had previously served as the passing game coordinator, was promoted to offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore accepted the head coaching position in New Orleans. Following the issues that arose with Brian Johnson two years ago, Patullo will be under the microscope. The last time Philadelphia hired from within, Brian Johnson had a one-year run with the Eagles' offense, and things imploded so severely that the Eagles lost six of their final seven games. Patullo has a machine, and he'll need to mold that juggernaut into his personality.
DB Kelee Ringo
The Eagles lost Darius Slay (Steelers), James Bradberry (free agent), Avonte Maddox (Lions), and Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings) in free agency and signed Adoree' Jackson. Even with those moves, Philadelphia didn't draft a cornerback until the fifth round when they selected Mac McWilliams out of UCF. Ringo is the biggest winner of the offseason and'll have the inside track to be a starter.
DT Jordan Davis
The Eagles exercised the fifth-year option on Jordan Davis this offseason, and the 2022 first-round pick will look to capitalize on the six tackles and two sacks during the Super Bowl run. Davis (6-6, 336 pounds) has started all 40 regular-season and postseason contests over the past two seasons, but needs a strong season to warrant a long-term extension.
TE Dallas Goedert
Goedert (team-record 52 career playoff catches) led the Eagles in receptions (17) and receiving yards (215) in the postseason. After reworking his deal, the talented tight end could earn his first out-right Pro Bowl nod.
OL Tyler Steen
Tyler Steen went from likely starter to a reserve in 2024, starting three games, including the NFC Championship, and playing more than 400 snaps on offense (including postseason games). Entering his third season, Steen (6-6, 321 pounds) will look to win the right guard job that opened up when Mekhi Becton signed with the Chargers in free agency.
DB Sydney Brown
The Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston for Kenyon Green, opening up a starting role for Sydney Brown or Tristin McCollum. Brown is a physical safety who is stout on special teams but doesn't operate efficiently in space or match up against elite pass catchers. Enter Andrew Mukuba, a Swiss army knife from Texas who could keep Brown relegated to special team duties. Mukuba can play the slot, operate in space, and play with range, drawing comparisons to Gardner-Johnson.
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