The Eagles new offense under Kellen Moore has been flipping its fins up like a stealth shark along the Cape May shallows in recent weeks. Hallmarked by pre-snap motion and unique formations, expect the unexpected when the Eagles finally line up and hike the ball for real in Week 1.
There have been glimpses so far in the summer swelter. For example, Moore has sent running backs screaming down the field on wheel routes. Kenny Gainwell caught a bomb in the open practice at Lincoln Financial Field, then Saquon Barkley hauled in a beautiful touchdown in Tuesday’s joint practice against the Patriots. Both plays looked lethal.
Jalen Hurts wasn’t about to reveal any specific new wrinkles when asked about this year’s Eagles’ offense. However, the dual-threat quarterback does see a team headed in the right direction, one ready to reverse the sticky quagmire that mudded the offense in 2023.
“This is this year’s team. It’s not anything that’s happened in the past or anyone else’s experiences, but everybody’s experiences will come together to try and make a nice product on the field for us,” Hurts told reporters on August 13th. “You want to be suited and rooted in the foundation of what we have. And, so I think we’re headed in a good direction. There’s always a lot to learn from and clean up but I just can’t wait to go watch the tape from today.”
That foundation is “rooted and suited” in constant movement. The Eagles’ skill players jump around the formation like chess pieces, exploiting size matchups and putting playmakers in the slot.
Rookie Johnny Wilson has been a revelation. Britain Covey has been sneaky fast and contagiously reliable. DeVonta Smith has been unguardable. And A.J. Brown has continued to show why he’s a future Hall of Famer, although he wasn’t about to spill the beans on the leader in the clubhouse for the Eagles’ third receiver spot.
“I think all the guys are working hard, and doing really well,” Brown said, “and trying to put it together. I don’t even want to name that.”
Eagles LT Lane Johnson Sees ‘Faster’ Quarterback, Better Rhythm
If the offense looks faster on the field, your eyes aren’t deceiving it. Lane Johnson can feel a quicker tempo in the huddle while noting that Jalen Hurts has kicked it into an even faster gear.
“He’s always been pretty fast but I will say I feel like the rhythm that we have right now has been good,” Johnson told reporters. “Timing on routes, and just us getting to the football, and our procedures has been good.”
Concerning Tuesday’s joint practice versus New England, Johnson said: “I think we could have been faster, huddling up, and getting to the line of scrimmage with a little more sense of urgency.”
Meanwhile, the offensive line has to set the tone and tempo in front of the quarterback. No easy task following the retirement of Eagles legend Jason Kelce. Cam Jurgens will take over his role at center, with Tyler Steen working in at left guard and right guard. The second-year player battles a mild ankle sprain suffered early at training camp as well as an increasing threat from Mekhi Becton to take his starting spot. According to Johnson, Steen is back and stronger than ever.
“He’s fighting. I think he got nicked up with the ankle last week, so he’s been playing through that,” Johnson told reporters. “But Tyler’s gotten so much stronger I think from last year, so he has some plays that really wow you, and I think once he gets past the ankle injury where he’s not thinking so much, it’ll become easier … but he’s a guy who is definitely in the mix.”
Another player Johnson mentioned by name was Darian Kinnard. He played every single snap — 83 snaps in total — in the Eagles’ preseason victory over the Ravens.
“He really made a step up this past week,” Johnson said. “He’s played primarily guard I think in the league, was a tackle at Kentucky, but after a couple of practices I got in his ear … take one kick and settle. He’s so big and athletic, really turned it on. So, if there’s a guy whose name is increasingly rising, it’s DK.”
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
