Defending NFC champs to begin spring prep for season

Lost among the Jalen Hurts signing and Derrick Henry rumors this spring, the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles begin their offseason on Monday. They have been eligible to do so for almost a week. Better late than never.

According to NFL Football Operations, OTA practices occur in three phases and gradually become more involved as teams ramp up toward the season. The first phase lasts two weeks and concentrates largely on conditioning and rehabbing.

The second phase lasts three weeks and may include individual and specific team drills, though there can be no drills where the offense lines up against the defense. Full team drills can only happen in the final phase of OTAs, though even those are drills are not of the contact variety.

According to the CBA, teams are permitted to hold mandatory minicamps for veteran players during phase three of the offseason program. It is not required, though. The Eagles will not bring their players in for a minicamp, joining the Cincinnati Bengals as the only teams not to do so this year.

Philadelphia has operated without minicamps since the pandemic descended upon the globe and cited reduced practice time as a reason they have managed to avoid injuries the past few seasons. Old school football types may disagree with the approach, but it is hard to argue with the Eagles’ track record of late.

According to ManGamesLost.com, the Eagles and Chiefs were the healthiest teams in the NFL last year and it’s probably no coincidence the two met in Super Bowl LVII.

While the Eagles have a number of returning veterans for the coming season, both main coordinators have been replaced. Sean Desai will take over for Jonathan Gannon on the defensive side while former quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson will run the offense.

With so much change at the top, look for head coach Nick Sirianni to maximize the time he has with returning players, as well as incoming draft picks.