NFL Notebook: 2025 Philadelphia Eagles Preview

Nick Siranni has been the head coach in Philadelphia for four years. He’s made the playoffs each time. He’s gone to two Super Bowls. And last year, he reached the mountaintop, when the Eagles dismantled the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and avenged their Super Bowl loss from 2022. The champs are a fitting place to end our run of preseason previews as they get set to host the season opener tomorrow night.

A DEFENSE BUILT IN THE TRENCHES

Philadelphia’s defense ranked second in the NFL for points allowed last year and their ferocious pass rush was on display for the world in the Super Bowl. There are no weak spots on the front line of the 3-4 scheme, with Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and Jalen Carter all ranking in the upper fifth of the league based on the grades at Pro Football Focus. Greatness starts in the trenches, and the Eagles have been great here for several years.

The excellence continues at the second level, where Zack Baun graded out as the top inside linebacker. He’ll be joined by Philly’s first-round draft pick, Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama. The edges of the 3-4 are in competent hands with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith.

It’s going to be tough to run on the Eagles and tough to get time to throw. That bodes well for a secondary that actually looks even better than last year. Philadelphia upgraded at one corner spot. Darius Slay had become a liability and he’s been replaced by free agent Adoree’ Jackson. That addresses the only weak spot in a unit where strong safety Cooper DeJean also graded out at the top of his class, Quinyon Mitchell is an elite corner and Reed Blankenship is competent at free safety.

The above three paragraphs can be summed up thusly—everyone on the Eagle defense is really good.

BARKLEY TRANSFORMS THE OFFENSE

Saquon Barkley gave the Philadelphia offense a whole new dimension, rushing for over 2,000 yards and generating an astonishing 5.8 yards-per-carry. In a QB-dominated league, Barkley put himself at least in the MVP discussion.

Barkley runs behind an offensive line that is decent on the interior, at dominant at tackle, where Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are each among the NFL’s best. The right guard position is the only potential area of concern.

The ability of the tackles to protect the quarterback gave Jalen Hurts time to flourish last season. Hurts did everything well last year. His 69 percent completion rate, 8.0 yards-per-attempt and 1.4% interception rate are all excellent. He’s got a big-play threat in A.J. Brown, a steady slot man in DeVonta Smith, and tight end Dallas Goedert stretches the field well for his position.

LOW-RISK/HIGH-REWARD PICKUPS

Philadelphia is good enough that they could take some chances in free agency. A.J. Dillon is a physical runner but has struggled with injuries. Being a change-of-pace for Barkley, running behind this offensive line, might be just what Dillon needs. Defensively, Philly signed Josh Uche. A promising edge rusher a couple years ago, Uche struggled with consistency. Uche, along with Dillon, are both players that could become notable difference-makers. And if they don’t pan out, there was nothing lost in signing them.

OUTLOOK

There’s one key caveat that should be made to temper expectations. When reviewing last year’s stats and grades, it’s obvious that the team who won the Super Bowl is going to look great. What no one knows is how focused everyone is coming back. And from a strictly regular season perspective, how motivated they’ll be in the early weeks when the race takes shape.

Philadelphia’s Over/Under for wins is at 11.5. I have one more day to decide who I’m going to pick to win the Super Bowl, but I can say this right now—the Eagles will win at least 12, they’ll win the NFC East, and they’ll be no worse than the 2-seed in the playoffs.