Football season is back. Optimism tends to run high this time of year, especially as Eagles’ fans look to gargle away the bad taste of last season with a minty fresh squirt of Saquon Barkley.
The Eagles look the part on paper, with a rejuvenated roster featuring an intriguing young secondary and partially rebuilt offensive line. They are walking into Week 1 as Vegas darlings in a weak NFC, including a puzzling NFC East where the Cowboys and Giants have more question marks than The Riddler.
Bottom line, Nick Sirianni’s team should be in the championship conversation despite a whole script of storylines that could induce alternate endings.
“We’re just excited about the pieces that we have, excited about the coaches that we have. We’re excited to go rip it,” Sirianni told reporters on Sept. 1. “I do think what’s important is everybody knows their role and has to dominate their role, and everybody’s role — while not being the same, everybody’s role is important.”
5 Key Storylines to Watch: Eagles vs. Packers
Jalen Hurts Finally Gets Un-Halted
There was a weird, perhaps twisted out of context, quote attributed to Jalen Hurts about his “eagerness to learn” how to be a true leader after being halted for a few years due to the presence of Jason Kelce. Hurts was noticeably more vocal at training camp, picking up blitzes and calling out the protections at the line of scrimmage.
It’s something to monitor in Week 1 and beyond as the Eagles build a new identity without Kelce and under first-year offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Hurts had a terrific summer — crisp and accurate, with his new leadership proudly on display — but now it’s time to do it for real. He hasn’t taken a meaningful snap since January 15 after sitting out the entire preseason.
Huffing It, No Reddick
The crushing loss of Haason Reddick cannot be overstated when talking about the Eagles’ defensive line. He was a game-wrecker who forced turnovers and terrorized quarterbacks no matter where he lined up. He’s gone (ditto for Fletcher Cox), with Bryce Huff — a situational pass-rusher, not an every-down defender — left to fill those Pro Bowl-sized cleats. The Eagles hope Huff can mesh with Nolan Smith and Josh Sweat to bring youthful energy and heavy pressure off the edge. Remember, Packers quarterback Jordan Love isn’t a real threat to run. He was sacked 30 times in 2023.
The Workhorse: Saquon Barkley
The Eagles surprised everyone when they handed Saquon Barkley a $37.75 million contract in the offseason. The franchise has rarely valued running backs, especially not ones looking to strike it rich on a second deal. Yet, Barkley is a unicorn. He’s arguably the best player at his position and he does it all: run, block, catch. He doesn’t have to come out of the game on third down.
Assuming Nick Sirianni doesn’t force snaps on Kenny Gainwell, he’ll be their first bell-cow back since LeSean McCoy was wrongly escorted out of town. And his first test will come against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Green Bay gave up 4.42 yards per carry in 2023, No. 23 in the league.
Cornering the Market
The Eagles could have the best secondary in the league. Or the worst. It really wouldn’t be a shock either way. Let’s side on the positive. The decision to bring back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was a brilliant stroke, reinserting some lost swagger and bona fide playmaking at safety. Then, they drafted Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to help out aging Pro Bowler Darius Slay. Isaiah Rodgers is the ultimate wild card — the once-suspended cornerback flashed at camp but enters Week 1 with a semi-concerning hand injury. One potential matchup to watch: Quinyon Mitchell versus Packers WR Jayden Reed. The Eagles are going to mix their first-rounder in the slot and on the outside depending on the down and distance.
Introducing Cam Jurgens
No one is in a tougher spot than Cam Jurgens this year. He’s replacing a certified legend and Jason Kelce’s ghost will be haunting him on every snap, like a Scooby Doo villain unmasked in the broadcast booth. Jurgens will be compared, contrasted, contradicted like no one else — a harder task considering the Eagles are rolling out a new offense, one predicated on motion and deception. He’ll have to set the tempo and figure out protections while hauling clean hikes to Jalen Hurts with Green Bay monsters Kenny Clark and Preston Smith bearing down on him.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
