The Eagles have ramped up the intensity in Training Camp and the pads have only been on for one day so far. Aside from their new conditioning program, the Eagles are taking last year’s collapse as personal as can be. Even the newest additions are feeling the blow from the 2023 season.
With last year now behind them, the Eagles have loaded up on a very competitive roster. One that will make their final cuts a lot more difficult and interesting than it’s ever been. The groundwork for a competitive camp has already been laid out with several players taking advantage. Here are three battles that we are already witnessing early on which could lead to some big decisions for starting roles:
Isaiah Rodgers vs Quinyon Mitchell
This is a unique situation for the Eagles. With DeJean down for some time due to a hamstring injury, Mitchell has begun to stand out as a chess piece for this defense. The rookie corner has been willing to do whatever the Eagles’ coaching staff needs him to do and raves have been high.
Mitchell battled with A.J. Brown on Tuesday and was said to be very sticky on one of the game’s best receivers. When asked about what Brown has seen out of Mitchell, Brown said that the rookie corner has “a lot of heart”. He went on to say, “he’s a good guy, man. He works hard. He’s competing. You know, ultimately I’m just trying to get him ready for whenever we play in September.” High praise from one of the games best.
On the other side of the competition is a freshly rejuvenated Isaiah Rodgers. Rodgers was suspended for the entire year last season due to betting on his team at the time but is now back and in a new city. Rodgers was penciled in as the CB2 due to his terrific play during the team’s OTA’s which has led to a budding competition between him and the rookie, Quinton Mitchell.
Whicher player wins the starting role will be a huge plus for the Eagles’ defense. The talent that they have in their depth and starting positions is much stronger than what they had on the field last season.
John Ross vs Parris Campbell
Here are two players who are looking for bounce-back seasons to help their careers. Campbell has been plagued with injuries throughout his career while Ross was forced into early retirement but came out and joined the Eagles. There’s no question that the Birds need depth behind Brown and Smith but they also need talent in that WR3 role more than anything. Watkins let them down over the last two seasons but it looks like they’ve found a way to replace his speed.
John Ross is the former 40-time record holder while Parris Campbell has shown his shifty ability during the semi-breakout season that he had in 2022 with the Colts. I wouldn’t be surprised if both of these players made the final 53-man roster but the battle for that WR3 is going to get much more intense as the weeks go on. Both have had a very strong start to training camp.
Mehki Becton vs Tyler Steen
This one is interesting. The Jets’ former first-round, Mekhi Becton, came into the league as a franchise right tackle. He hadn’t panned out which led to his departure in New York. But it seems like the Eagles are revealing the foam on in the rough that he is. Becton came to work with this offensive line and Coach Stoutland. Stoutland has turned Becton into a versatile lineman already.
Which has led to the battle at right guard. Becton has been slotted into that role due to Steen being out with a mild ankle injury. What was once the Eagles‘ third-rounder’s job to lose is now becoming a true toss up between Becton and Steen. Becton would be a huge guard due to his size but he was a first round pick for a reason. The talent is there for both of these players but it’ll be the consistency that they play with that will lead to one of them superseding the other.
Which Eagles position battle has excited you the most so far?
AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
