Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
Albert Breer’s Notes: How Joel Bitonio Survived ‘Brutal Stretches’ With the Browns – SI A.J. Brown trade. One thing I’d add to my A.J. Brown story from Monday’s takeaways—he’s not leaving Philly on as sour a note as some folks believe. Yes, there was the football-driven tension with Jalen Hurts. But Brown remained, until the very end, a well-liked and respected guy in the Eagles’ locker room. He’d swung through the facility a couple of times in recent
weeks to say hello to people, knowing the end was almost certainly coming. He even played some pop-a-shot in the weight room. I’m sure, over time, he’ll be remembered fondly by the fan base, too.
Early Drake Maye-A.J. Brown connection continues to impress – Pats Pulpit
Through just five practices together, Maye has made a quick first impression on his new No. 1 target. “What I learned about him, the talent speaks for itself,” Brown said. “He can make any throw, but I think what’s more impressive to me is that he knows what he’s doing, and to be that young, and to understand the defense, and to understand every little check, the hots, the blitz, and all those things, so young and so fast, it’s very impressive. So, I really admire that he knows what he’s talking about. He demands everybody else to know as well. He’s a true leader of men, and it’s crazy to see at a young age.” As players leave the facility for the next six weeks, the work between Maye and Brown will not stop. Brown said the two plan to get together at some point this offseason with the goal of being ready to roll when training camp begins in late July.
Eagles Minicamp Practice Notes: Riq Woolen looks pretty awesome – BGN
RIQ WOOLEN UPDATE: The Eagles’ new starting cornerback has earned his own section after having an awesome spring. Woolen made no shortage of highlight plays in a total of four media-attended spring practice. The most splashy play from Wednesday was Woolen reading Hurts’ eyes to jump in front of a pass intended for Goedert for an interception. The 6’4” Woolen has shown a propensity to totally smother receivers (legally) in coverage, such as when he was all over Elijah Moore on a Hurts downfield throw that went incomplete. Between Fangio praising Woolen even prior to OTAs (bit of a surprise since Fangio isn’t always generous with compliments) and Woolen looking great in spring practices, it’s hard not to get excited about his outlook. The Eagles can truly have the NFL’s best cornerback trio with Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Woolen in the fold. There are still questions at safety, sure, but even so … this secondary could be pretty awesome.
Eagles stock up, stock down: Spring practices edition – PhillyVoice
STOCK DOWN — QB Tanner McKee: McKee has quietly gone about his business as a backup quarterback for the Eagles for three full years, diligently preparing as if he’s the starter. And when he has gotten his opportunities — with the exception of one game last season during which he played with the second-team offensive line and backups at the skill positions — he has mostly looked the part of a player who could earn a starting job at some point, even if with another team. And yet, despite his continued progression as a pro quarterback, he is now seemingly competing for the QB2 job with a 38-year-old Andy Dalton, who the team acquired via a mere seventh-round pick. Weird. (He pretty clearly outplayed Dalton this spring, at least during media-attended practices.)
2026 NFL minicamp live updates: A.J. Brown has highlight day – ESPN
This minicamp served as a reminder of the work that lies ahead for the Eagles’ offense. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is implementing a new system, and while there have been highlights — including a long run by Saquon Barkley through a hole the size of a truck — it’s going to take some time for everything to sync up. One play on Wednesday highlighted that, as cornerback Riq Woolen took advantage of a Jalen Hurts misfire to tight end Dallas Goedert and came up with an interception. The defense — it is in its third year under coordinator Vic Fangio — looks well ahead of the offense, as it should. The offense is still in the early stages of adapting to a new scheme. Offensive players across the board are talking optimistically about Mannion and his designs, but it will take a while for them to get through the learning curve.
2026 NFL season: What We Learned during first wave of minicamps – NFL.com
Makai Lemon could end up the primary slot receiver in the Eagles’ three-WR sets and figures to have a big role as a rookie. Rookie receivers are on accelerated paths these days, with seven first-round wideouts turning in 1,000-yard seasons the past five years and another half dozen reaching the 850-yard mark. But with Lemon missing minicamp practice with a right leg injury, he’s likely going to enter training camp with some catching up to do. Don’t forget about the Dontayvion Wicks addition this offseason. Wicks was never close to the lead guy in Green Bay his first three seasons and missed the final regular-season game and the playoff game to end his time there. But he arrived in Philadelphia in the perfect time and might be poised for his best season to date. Wicks turns 25 years old next week and is just scratching the surface of his potential. He’s one of the few receivers on the roster capable of filling the big-bodied WR role that Brown manned and possesses the vertical speed and leaping ability to be a 50-50 threat for Jalen Hurts. Hollywood Brown also has reportedly looked good early this offseason, but I am really focused on Wicks. He never really had a shot to fully develop with the Packers but might be exactly what the Eagles need – all on a very affordable deal for such a young, ascending receiver.
Cam Jurgens explains why he got stem cell therapy in Colombia – NBCSP
“I’ve noticed such a good change since I’ve been down there,” he said. Of course, a big part of Jurgens’ improved health right now is just having a full offseason. He didn’t have that this time last year. Jurgens somehow played through an extremely painful back injury in Super Bowl LIX before having offseason surgery to repair a broken disc. But the problem with playing through the Super Bowl and then needing surgery is that you don’t really get a full offseason. Jurgens spent the few months he had between the 2024 and 2025 seasons rehabbing and then it was time to play football again. “You get surgery and then you don’t have any of that offseason to train and you’re kind of behind the 8 ball,” Jurgens said. “And I felt like I was like that throughout the season. Every week, I was trying to get better and get the body right. But it was like that to start. So it’s nice to have a fresh, clean slate and getting to train throughout the offseason.”
Jordan Mailata launches foundation to support Philly teens – PHL17
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata and his wife, Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Mailata, are giving back to the community that has embraced them with the launch of the Mailata Family Foundation. The couple officially unveiled the foundation Thursday, June 11, 2026, with a special concert event at Stateside Live!, bringing together Eagles teammates, music, and fans to celebrate the foundation’s mission. The Mailata Family Foundation was created to provide Philadelphia-area teens with opportunities through scholarships, mentorship, and resources designed to help them pursue their goals and build brighter futures.
Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba treats Philly kids to Dave & Buster’s at “Mukuba Miracles Fund” event – CBS News
Philadelphia kids spent their evening playing games, eating and getting photo ops with Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba at his inaugural Mukuba Miracles Fund event at Dave & Buster’s.
Steelers sign former Broncos wide receiver – Behind The Steel Curtain
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed wide receiver Joaquin Davis to a one-year deal, the team announced. Additionally, the Steelers signed defensive back Daryl Porter and released long snapper Cal Adomitis and offensive lineman Aiden Williams. [BLG Note: Davis participated in Eagles minicamp this week on a tryout basis. Adomitis was the Eagles’ long snapper when Charley Hughlett got hurt last season.]
3 matchups that will define the Cowboys’ 2026 regular season – Blogging The Boys
2) Week 12 VS Philadelphia Eagles. You had to know we wouldn’t make it through this list without a Cowboys/Eagles matchup. This year, for just the third time in NFL history, Dallas and Philadelphia will meet on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys are 0-2 in those matchups, and breaking that trend will be pivotal if they want to take back the NFC East this season. One thing going in the Cowboys’ favor is that they get a bit of a soft landing into this Thanksgiving matchup. Three of their four games before the holiday come against likely non-playoff teams (Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans). While three wins here would give them some room for error in the second half of the year, losing this matchup at home against the Eagles could sink their division chances if they are trying to climb out of an early-season hole. Winning this game would give the Cowboys some much-needed wiggle room as they enter a brutal three-game stretch after the holiday. Whoever walks away victorious on Thanksgiving Day may very well end up walking away with the NFC East title at season’s end.
How Nick Cross’ versatility can help Washington Commanders defense – Hogs Haven
Nick Cross is a safety. Formally speaking, anyway. That’s what shows up on his football card, but it doesn’t completely describe what he plays. Cross plays all over the place. A detailed look at his 2025 snap counts, confirms that, with action coming at both safety spots, playing deep and in the box. He lined up as a slot cornerback and on the outside. There was also some positioning as a linebacker in certain alignments, showing how his versatility can be an asset. His box alignments were third-highest for a defensive back in the NFL last season. Expect more of the same in his first year with the Commanders. “Put on the tape,” Cross said in a press conference following Tuesday’s OTA session. “In Indy I played everything. Here I play everything. I can do literally anything on the field. I take pride and joy in that, knowing I can play anywhere in the back seven and make an impact.”
NY Giants 53-man roster projection: Who’s in, out after spring practices? – Big Blue View
Jon Runyan’s status — I keep saying I will believe there is a competition for the left guard spot when one develops. I am not counting one first-team series on Monday for Daniel Faalele as competition. That was the only time Runyan was not with the first team in five spring practices I saw. Still, Runyan is not a great run blocker, and the Giants could save $9.25 million against the salary cap by cutting him. So, we’ll see.
Explaining explosive plays, the NFL’s most nebulous important stat – SB Nation
We often hear the term “explosive plays” used on NFL broadcasts and in coverage of the league. It’s a really important stat, they say, but it’s often really confusing. We know it means a big play, but how big is big? How many explosive plays did your favorite team have last year? Where did that rank among the rest of the league? Well, it depends on who you ask.
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