As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to kick-off their Super Bowl defense on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys, now is the perfect time to break down the roster and try to pinpoint their biggest strengths and weaknesses.
What will get the Eagles back to the Super Bowl in 2025, and if they don't, what will be their downfall?
Let's start with the obvious. Saquon Barkley is coming off a historic 2024 season in which he rushed for an NFL record 2,504 total yards (including playoffs). Jalen Hurts has rushed for at least 600 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his four years as the starting quarterback.
The stellar offensive line is back in place with the exception of right guard Mekhi Becton, but Tyler Steen has proven he can step in and fill that role admirably. This is a well-oiled machine of a running game that will be nearly impossible to stop in 2025.
#Eagles have three "slash positions" on defense entering Week 1: CB2 (Adoree' Jackson/Jakorian Bennett), Wil LB (Jihaad Campbell/Jeremiah Trotter Jr.), and S opposite Reed Blankenship (Sydney Brown/Drew Mukuba).
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) August 31, 2025
Nick Sirianni on the unsettled spots: "I think it's unsettled to…
The Eagles feel confident in their ability to shut down No. 1 receivers and slot WRs behind second-year stars Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, but the second outside cornerback spot could be a weak spot.
Neither Adoree' Jackson nor Kelee Ringo has stepped up to firmly win the job, so general manager Howie Roseman traded for Jakorian Bennett and signed Eli Ricks to the practice squad for more options.
The linebacker room isn't typically a strength on a Roseman roster, but that's surely the case in 2025. Roseman found a diamond in the rough in Zack Baun, who recorded 151 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and five forced fumbles en route to a first-team All-Pro nod.
Right behind him is rookie first-round pick Jihaad Campbell, who's been lighting it up in training camp and looks to be a star in the making.
Philadelphia finished the regular season with only 42 sacks last year, 19 of which came from players who are no longer on the roster. With Josh Sweat and Milton Williams gone, the Eagles will be forced to rely on young pass-rushers Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and Moro Ojomo to make big leaps in 2025.
Relentlessly pressuring Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was a major reason why the Eagles dominated Super Bowl LIX, but they likely won't be as effective at getting to the quarterback in 2025.
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