Eagles Captain Announcement Features One Telling Absence

The Philadelphia Eagles have named their seven team captains for the 2026 season. Here are the leaders wearing the ‘C’ on their chest, plus the notable name that surprisingly missed the cut.

Jalen Hurts: Hurts has been a captain since 2021, his first full year as the starting quarterback. He is the Eagles longest tenured captain.

Saquon Barkley: Following five consecutive seasons named a captain with the New York Giants, the streak has continued since Barkley signed with the Eagles in 2024.

DeVonta Smith: Formerly a captain in 2023, Smith is the most experienced wide receiver in a newly revamped position group. 

Lane Johnson: Entering what may be the final season of his career, Johnson is still one of the most talented offensive linemen in the NFL. His veteran leadership will be a huge asset for new offensive line coach Chris Kuper.

Jordan Mailata: Now a three-time captain, Mailata has taken rookie Uar Bernard under his wing, a fellow International Player Pathway player.

Jordan Davis: Coming off a breakout season, Davis is the Eagles’ only first-time captain and the youngest player selected. Davis noted that he aspires to be the type of leader Brandon Graham was by “making everybody feel included, making everybody feel welcome.”

Zack Baun: In his second consecutive season named a captain, Baun now wears the green dot for Vic Fangio’s defense for the first time in his career, with the departure of Nakobe Dean.

A surprising omission from the captain’s list was veteran kicker Jake Elliott, who is entertaining his 10th season with Philadelphia.

Elliott had been named a captain the previous four straight seasons representing special teams. This year, the Eagles have seven captains instead of eight like last season, with no special teams representation and Elliott on the outside looking in.

Elliott enters the season following back-to-back years under 80% on field goal attempts. His 74.1% field-goal percentage in 2025 ranked 37th in the NFL, well below starting caliber.

Losing his captaincy suggests that while the Eagles still hope for a bounce-back year from the former Pro Bowler, they won’t hesitate to move on if his stretch of mediocrity continues.