The Eagles are 1-0 heading into the second week of the season, but let’s take a moment to recap what some former Eagles did around the league in their season openers. It was a big day for guys like Carson Wentz and D’Andre Swift, and we got reminded that guys like Nakobe Dean and Za’Darius Smith are still really good.
The season kicked off on a Wednesday, which means some news feels like forever ago, but one of the more notable moments from this week was A.J. Brown leaving the Patriots-Seahawks game
early and ultimately landing on IR.
Here are some other highlights from Philly alumni in Week 1:
Carson Wentz steps up in Minnesota
Heading into the Vikings season opener, Carson Wentz was named the backup to Kyler Murray. The former Eagles QB was called up even sooner than expected after Murray went down with a head injury in the first quarter. Wentz struggled at first as he got acclimated, but ended up finishing the day 12-of-19 for 133 yards and three touchdowns, bringing the Vikings back from behind to beat the Packers.
D’Andre Swift signs new contract
The former Eagles running back took the next step with the Bears, and they rewarded him with a new 3-year, $33.75 million contract, that included $27.5 million guaranteed.
Swift went on to thank the Bears with a Week 1 performance that included 18 carries for 124 yards and three touchdowns.
Josh Jobe seals win
The former Eagles CB grabbed the game-winning interception for the Seahawks over the Patriots in the NFL season opener, stepping in front of another Philly alumni, Mack Hollins, to make the play.
Nakobe Dean is still good
One of the bigger losses for the Eagles this offseason was linebacker Nakobe Dean, who is already making a name for himself with the Raiders. In his first game of the season, Dean recorded six total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Za’Darius Smith can still play
Smith retired from the NFL and the Eagles early in the 2025 season, but recently revealed the personal grief and reasonings behind that decision. Now, following a year filled with loss, he is playing for his family’s favorite team, and was dominant in his return to the field, this time for the Falcons.
Other notables
- Former Eagles inactive Week 1: WR John Metchie (Panthers), OL Myles Hinton (Bengals)
- RB Kenny Gainwell had five carries for 15 yards and one kick return for 22 yards in the Bucs loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
- Several former Eagles defenders notched more than seven tackles in Week 1, including: S C.J. Gardner-Johnson – 8 (Bills), S Reed Blankenship – 7 (Texans), CB Avonte Maddox – 7 (Lions), and S Sydney Brown – 7 (Falcons).
- CB Tremon Smith is still doing his thing as a returner for the Houston Texans, and had two kick returns for 54 yards against the Bills.
- FB Ben VanSumeren was activated from the practice squad for the Chiefs Monday night game against the Broncos.
- The Falcons put a lot of faith in former Eagles WR Olamide Zaccheous, who due to injuries, was listed as both the emergency QB and emergency RB against the Steelers. It didn’t come to that, and Zaccheous finished the game with just one catch for five yards. Other Philly alumni for Atlanta included WR Jahan Dotson, one catch for 19 yards, and DT Kentavious Street, two tackles and one sack.
- Carolina played well above expectations and kept up with Chicago for awhile, before the Bears ran away with the game. QB Kenny Pickett did get a couple plays on Sunday, including one 24-yard breakaway run. Other former Eagles for the Panthers, include RB A.J. Dillon, who had five carries for 28 yards, and LB Jaelan Phillips had three total tackles and one sack.
