The Eagles had their first training camp practice of the 2025 NFL season on Wednesday, and GM Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni spoke to reporters before the team took the field. They talked about having a young defense, roster building after a Super Bowl, and made some comments about the front office personnel changes this offseason.
Sirianni said the guys came back in really good shape, and players have put themselves in position to be ready for the start of training camp. They came to camp weighing
what they should and in shape for the conditioning test, but there are things they’ll do at camp to continue to emphasize that conditioning.
SIRIANNI: “I think it’s very clear that the way we want to play football, with great physicality, with great detail, with great effort, there’s no substitute there, you have to be in great shape. So, we’ll continue to push these guys to be in great shape, and I think we’re off to a good start based on the conditioning test.”
Here’s what else the pair had to say:
On having a young defense
ROSEMAN: “We look at our resources — whether it’s draft picks or money, all kind of in the same boat. So, if you’re taking guys in the first round, to us, that’s the same as paying guys big money on their contracts. So, we still have a lot of resources on the defensive side of the ball — a lot of young players, a lot of players who have played together, which is exciting, and obviously a great opportunity for them.”
Sirianni was asked about the linebacker position with Nakobe Dean starting the year on the PUP list. and he explained that it’s a good opportunity for the rest of the room to compete throughout camp, and continue to compete throughout the season to be the best.
First-round rookie Jihaad Campbell started his first practice as a limited participant, but won’t miss any of camp as he rehabs his injury from last year. Sirianni said Campbell looked like he had a great summer, and the head coach is excited to have him out on the field — he also admitted that it’s huge anytime a player can get work on the field, so it’s good Campbell is at a place to do that.
Sirianni later talked about how young guys will play and compete, just like the rookies did last year, and they are going to put the players on the field who give the team the best chance to win. He noted that every draft pick was with the team for a reason, and he’s excited and confident in the group. Roseman added that a lot of these young guys have history playing with other guys already with the Eagles, so there’s some continuity there that will help them adjust quickly.
On football operations promotions and hires
Roseman said that all the promotions were earned and based on the work they did. He explained that they evaluate the front office, just as they do the players, and they made those decisions accordingly.
ROSEMAN: “In terms of Joe Douglas, obviously, personally, very excited for him to be back. Unbelievable knowledge about this league. He’ll be a great resource for all our scouts, all our front office people — having another GM in the building, who can help develop our staff, because our staff development’s a big thing, he’ll be involved like a lot of the other people.”
The Eagles’ GM also made sure to note that he was going to miss some of the people who ended up leaving for other opportunities this offseason, but appreciated that their staff was completely decimated following the Super Bowl win.
On starting over after a Super Bowl win
Sirianni said that starting training camp this year doesn’t feel any different than years prior, even though the team just reached the top of the mountain last season.
SIRIANNI: “Every year at training camp feels the same. You’re not looking back, you’re not looking forward, you’re solely focused on today and how we can get better today. And so, when you have that mindset, when you have that focus that we want to have as a football team, that’s how everyone should be feeling.”
Roseman talked about what they learned after last time they won a Super Bowl, and he noted that a big takeaway is that no matter how much they love the players, and they love the staff, it’s their job to keep improving and moving forward. They have to make whatever difficult decisions to ensure they’re doing what’s best for the team. He reflected about how in 2018 they had a chance in the second round of the playoffs, but then seeing what happened in 2019 and 2020, was a big lesson in planning for the future.
On signing players early
ROSEMAN: “When people understand that when they start here, they have an opportunity to continue here and get rewarded here, it’s incredibly important, so that when you draft guys you can show them examples — if you do the right thing on and off the field, we’re going to make sure we that we keep you here, and maybe even have a chance to finish your career here. And, I think that, just from our perspective, and everyone’s got to do things their own way. I’m not saying it’s perfect, we make a lot of mistakes, but from our way, that’s a core tenant of what we’re trying to do here.
We’re trying to draft, develop, sign, and when you do that with players, your opportunity to set up continuity, your ability to really set up leaders for your football team going forward who can show young players the way, and how we do things, I think that gives you a chance to be special.”
Other notables
- When asked about where the team is financially, Roseman talked about their flexibility to make mid-season moves and also noted that they have 13 draft picks in 2026 that they consider a resource.
- Sirianni didn’t want to talk a lot about any specific position battles that they’re watching in camp, explaining that they expect players to compete now and during the season, so they’re looking at all positions.
- Roseman gave Sirianni a lot of credit for his forward-focus and how he shifts his mindset to the next season as soon as the season ends. He noted the head coach is always thinking of ways to improve and evolve, and how he reaches out to people in and out of the building to find ways to grow.
More from bleedinggreennation.com:
- Report: Eagles sign veteran edge rusher ahead of training camp
- Report: Eagles expected to sign UFL defensive tackle
- Eagles waive two players to make room for new roster additions
- ESPN’s NFL roster rankings have the Eagles in second place
- Eagles officially announce front office changes
- Philadelphia Eagles training camp preview: 53-man roster prediction
- Eagles training camp schedule begins today with players reporting to Philly
