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The calendar moved past July 4, and the Philadelphia Eagles’ first training camp practice is three weeks away. The countdown is on to the July 28 report date.
The mailbag from last week tackled a number of your questions, but there were still more to answer. Let’s see what else is on your mind…
(Note: Questions were lightly edited for grammar and clarity.)
Hi ZB: With Uar Bernard and four QBs, can we really have so many luxury placeholder roster spots for players who won’t play? — Jonathan S.
I don’t anticipate the Eagles keeping four quarterbacks and Uar Bernard on the roster. Whether it’s keeping three quarterbacks because of a trade or Cole Payton’s performance (or injury) in training camp/preseason, or a Bernard injury that allows the Eagles to stash him on injured reserve, it will sort itself out.
I’m skeptical that the Eagles would be able to keep Bernard with the international player designation, which is essentially an extra practice squad spot. Another team might be inclined to sign him to the 53-man roster and stash him. It depends on how he looks this summer. But the Eagles showed with Jordan Mailata in 2018 and 2019 that they were not going to release a project with organizational investment, and I expect them to treat Bernard the same way. That might be a luxury spot on the roster (or a conveniently timed injury).
The quarterback question is more complicated. It would surprise me if they kept four.
It’s also worth noting that because of practice squad elevations, the Eagles use those last few spots on the 53-man roster for developmental purposes. They’re usually luxury spots. But Payton will need to prove that he’s worthy of a roster spot for development (and won’t be signed to another team’s roster) for the Eagles to consider keeping four passers.
Zach, two-part question on Chris Kuper. Do you have any reporting on how the team landed on him after they parted ways with Stout? It sure seems like he was just the only guy available without a job at the time, but I would be interested in hearing about a competitive process where he won out.
Second, on the analysis side, you seem very optimistic about Kuper and I don’t get it. Your colleague Alec Lewis has done great reporting/analysis on Kuper’s shortcomings in Minnesota, especially the fact that several of his players thrived elsewhere after being mediocre under Kuper with the Vikings.
I know you generally oppose the idea that coaches matter that much in player performance, but it’s hard to see Stout (a deeply respected teacher who always seemed to get the most out of his players) replaced by a guy whose track record is the exact opposite. — Lex S.
I told you in the comments section I’d get to your question(s), Lex!
The Eagles went through an interview process to hire Kuper — Vic Fangio said that Nick Sirianni interviewed “20 guys,” which might be a reference to Sirianni’s deep pool of candidates to interview — but Kuper clearly had a background in a scheme and even a crossover with Sean Mannion in Minnesota. When Jeff Stoutland left, yes, Kuper was someone who was available who had position coaching experience at a time when there weren’t as many offensive line coaches on the market. (Remember: This was later in the cycle.) So it was probably somewhere between a competitive process and his background with the scheme and with Mannion.
As to the second part of your question, I wouldn’t categorize it as optimism (or pessimism) about Kuper. I’m reserving judgment. I don’t know how he’s going to do, and I’m still learning more about him. It’s hard for me to make an evaluation of a position coach before he’s coached the position here. I respect Alec’s reporting (read it here), but I also think the situation in Philadelphia is different than Minnesota. Kuper is inheriting high-level linemen. He must help them adjust to the new scheme, but I have a feeling Lane Johnson can make him look good.
I’m not dismissing the value of position coaches. Stoutland was the best I covered. He excelled at getting players to maximize their talent. But Stoutland can’t develop me to block Micah Parsons. It helps to have supremely talented players. Kuper has talented players. If they stay healthy, Kuper will look better.
With that said, the Eagles must develop depth. Part of Minnesota’s problem last year was the inability to withstand injuries. A big measure of Kuper’s success this season won’t be how the starters perform. It will be how Markel Bell or Drew Kendall look if they need to play.
Hey Zach! What are your thoughts these days about the Eagles currently installing a version of the Shanahan/McVay offense? It seems to be working just fine for several NFL teams. Would you say the Eagles are “too late to the party” or are they smart to make use of a modern offense that’s working pretty well around the league? — Larry K.
If they’re chasing a scheme, that’s a problem. If they hired an offensive mind who has an idea of how to use that scheme, then they’re going about it the right way. That’s the distinction I would make. It will be a problem if the Eagles started with an end goal — this Shanahan/McVay offense — and tried to find somebody who could run it. In that case, they’re late to the party and they’re missing what makes the scheme work in these places — the person calling it and the players executing it — rather than believing the scheme is the answer. The best example is chasing Vic Fangio’s scheme vs. Fangio running the scheme.
I believe Sean Mannion’s mind and ideas were a big attraction to the Eagles. Also, all of these coaches run variations of the scheme. There’s a whisper-down-the-lane effect, in which each coach should put his own spin on the original concepts. Assuming Mannion’s scheme has evolved and is tailored to the personnel, they’re not late to the party. If they’re mimicking another team, it’s a bigger issue. The Eagles would be making a mistake if they think they’re getting Sean McVay. Mannion must be the draw; not the McVay background. The complicating factor is that Mannion is inexperienced, so it’s unknown how it will look. That’s what will make this summer and fall fascinating to monitor.
Scenario: The Lakers, as they should, fire Rob Pelinka. Their new owner Mark Walter (mega-rich, also owns the Dodgers) goes outside the box and offers Howie Roseman a bag to switch coasts and sports. Would Howie consider it and if so would he be successful eventually? – @igglenut
Interesting question, because I’ve asked Roseman if he has ambition beyond general manager (even though with the Eagles, he’s essentially what a president of operations might be in baseball or basketball). Roseman explained that he loves picking the team, being around the players, drafting each April, attacking free agency each spring. For as much as Roseman’s strategic approach to the job is praised, he’s a football nut at heart. Some people want to work in sports. Roseman wanted to work in football. I think that’s an important distinction.
Of course, that doesn’t answer your question. Roseman’s incredibly competitive – and prideful. Could Roseman win enough in the NFL that he’d be compelled to seek another challenge? I tend to think the next Super Bowl is his challenge.
Perhaps if there were a situation in which multiple teams were managed under the same portfolio (a la Bob Myers with HBSE or Mickey Loomis in New Orleans in the 2010s or Stan Kasten in Atlanta in the 1980s), it could work. But I think unless Roseman is in a situation in which he must reconsider his options, he’ll be an NFL executive on a mission to be considered one of the NFL’s all-time great general managers.
To the second part of the question, Roseman would be successful in a different sport if he created the type of organizational structure that could fill in his gaps. Roseman has nearly 30 years in an NFL front office, with established relationships and an understanding of how to build a football roster. I think he’d be better as a baseball general manager because 26 players and an entire farm system allows for more room for strategy and creativity than an NBA roster. But I wouldn’t bet against Roseman running a team; he’s smart, competitive, and understands how to build rosters and navigate different stakeholders.
Based on other versions of Sean Mannion’s offensive system, what do you expect from the Eagles’ running game and what type of season do you expect from Saquon Barkley? – Michael S.
As much attention as the Eagles’ passing struggles received in 2025, I actually think the offseason changes had more to do with trying to unlock the running game. The Eagles felt there were yards left on the field last season, and I expect this to be a run-oriented offense. The wide-zone blocking scheme and more under-center runs will be the most noticeable differences. This question comes down to the health of the offensive line. If the top players are healthy, I expect the Eagles to run the ball effectively. And if the Eagles run the ball effectively, Saquon Barkley’s production will reflect as much.
Among the top 10 running backs in the NFL last season, Bijan Robinson, De’Von Achane, Kyren Williams and Christian McCaffrey all played in offenses with roots from the system that Mannion will run in Philadelphia. Williams rushed for 1,252 yards on 259 carries. I think both of those numbers should be considered the floor for Barkley this season.
Is there one move to make to push the Eagles to Super Bowl-level? Or phrase it differently: What move could bring the Eagles to the level of the Rams? – @NFLGoEaglesGo
The Eagles’ roster is among the top five in the NFL. If their offense improves and Jalen Hurts plays at a high level, they should be a Super Bowl-level player. So I’m not sure there’s that one move available that pushes them over the edge. If Brian Thomas were available, I still think he could can give the Eagles a dimension that they don’t have in the passing game. Before Kyle Pitts signed his contract extension, I would have mentioned him because of the mismatch he could create in the passing game.
Does Maxx Crosby put them over the edge? The defense is already near the top of the league. It would certainly help, but my view is the ceiling would be raised by the offense at this point. This comes down to Hurts and the offense pushing their way into the NFL’s top 10. If the Eagles have a top-10 offense, they’ll compete for the Super Bowl.
What’s your record prediction for the upcoming season? – @TheTrueTomSmith
I went with 11-6 — and that was with them winning the division and resting the starters in Week 18. Between 10-12 wins is where I’d place them. I think the defense is going to be top 5 in the NFL. The offense will have growing pains, but I expect them to run the ball efficiently and the passing game should find its rhythm eventually. If the offense struggles, they’re closer to 10. If the offense improves, they’re closer to 12 and would be considered an NFC heavyweight. The offense’s ceiling will ultimately determine the season. As always, the offensive line must stay healthy.
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