The NFL offseason is at last coming to an end, and Philadelphia Eagles fans finally have something to look forward to: training camp.
The Eagles, along with 26 other teams across the league, began training camp July 28 and are campaigning to win the NFC East for the third season in a row, a milestone that hasn't happened in the division since they last accomplished it between 2001 and 2004.
Along with that, the Eagles will look to make their third Super Bowl appearance under head coach Nick Siriani after being eliminated in the Wild Card round last season by the San Franciso 49ers.
From position battles to the installation of a new offense, this year's training camp is integral
if the organization hopes to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the third time in team history.
When are the Eagles practicing?
Players reported July 28 for training camp, and while there are some practices of note, these sessions are generally closed to the public. The first day of practice is July 29, and practices are to run through Aug. 25, when the team hosts its lone public practice at Lincoln Financial Field.
The public practice at The Linc is to begin at 6 p.m., and fans will be able to watch the team live, receive autographs from alumni and current players, and participate in family-oriented activities. Tickets for the practice are $15.40 and are to benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation.
Ahead of their final preseason game against the New England Patriots, the two teams are to have joint practices together Aug. 19-20, when they should see a familiar face in A.J. Brown.
Eight days after their preseason match against the reigning AFC champions, the Eagles are required to trim their roster down to 53 players.
Eagles position battles
Who wins the WR2 job?
The past few years, the Eagles had a double-headed monster of pass catchers between A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, but the door has opened for a new receiving threat to rise up the ranks.
With the 20th pick in this year's draft, Howie Roseman, the general manager, invested in the wide receiver room by selecting Makai Lemon out of USC. Even though Brown was still on the team, it was well documented the team was looking to trade him.
During his three seasons with the Trojans, Lemon accumulated more than 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns, with the majority of his production coming during his junior season before declaring for the NFL draft. In 2025, he recorded 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns, which contributed to him winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as college football's best wide receiver.
Lemon's primary competition may be Dontayvion Wicks, who Roseman traded for and extended through the 2027 season in April. Wicks spent the entirety of his three-season career with the Green Bay Packers, where he accumulated 1,328 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Wicks may have an advantage, having familiarity with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who was the Packers' quarterbacks coach last season and was an offensive assistant in 2024. A slow start could be an early hurdle for a team's playoff hopes, which could give an experienced veteran player such as Wicks an advantage.
While it will still be a battle for who has more production and looks from quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receiver is not a concrete position such as offensive line where one player will get all the snaps. At USC, Lemon took the majority of his snaps from the slot, and Wicks has experience both on the boundary and the slot.
Who will emerge as the starting safety?
Unlike the wide receiver competition, both Marcus Epps and Michael Carter were on the Eagles last season, but only one will start next to 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba. Despite the fact Mukuba broke his leg late last season, all signs point to him starting week one against the Washington Commanders.
Epps is the more experienced option of the two, having appeared in 94 games across seven seasons, including a previous stint in Philly from 2019 to 2021. Over his career, Epps has registered three interceptions, 224 solo tackles and 11 tackles for a loss.
In 12 games with the Eagles last season, Epps did not come away with a turnover, only recorded one tackle for a loss and had 18 solo tackles. Of those games, he only started in four of them when he took over for Mukuba towards the end of the season.
Carter, acquired last season from the New York Jets, has traditionally played slot corner, but with Cooper DeJean in firm control of that job, a position transition could present a unique opportunity for Carter.
In eight games with the Birds in 2025, Carter came away with three solo tackles and seven assisted tackles but not much else during his time in the City of Brotherly Love.
While the second safety position may not seem that important, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio heavily relies on his safeties in his two-high safety shell defense.
Who will back up Jalen Hurts?
The Eagles have been fortunate that Jalen Hurts has not missed a game because of injury since the 2024 season. That doesn't mean they can't be prepared in case he does suffer an injury.
The two competing for this spot are 15-year veteran Andy Dalton and 2024 sixth-round pick Tanner McKee, who could not be at more different spots in their careers. While Dalton has started in 169 games, McKee only has two under his belt.
Dalton made a name for himself as the starter for the Cincinnati Bengals for nine years, but has played for four teams over the last six years. During that time he has made 36 starts, but only made one last year with the Carolina Panthers.
McKee, while a small sample size, has performed admirably when he has gotten on the field in the NFL. Through six appearances, he has thrown for 597 yards and five touchdowns and only has one interception.
Traditionally in these situations, the veteran quarterback gets the leg up, but in 2025, the Eagles carried three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster and could do so once again.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What to know about Philadelphia Eagles training camp, position battles
