Every summer, Philadelphia Eagles fans flock to training camp with dreams of unearthing the next breakout star—someone like Corey Clement, who went from RB5 to a Super Bowl hero. But for every Cinderella story, there’s a flip side: players who arrive with hype but leave fans scratching their heads. In 2025, while names like Elijah Cooks, Terrace Marshall Jr., and Montrell Johnson Jr. are sparking excitement, a few high-profile prospects are stumbling out of the gate. Here are the top three Eagles who’ve been the biggest disappointments in training camp so far, raising serious questions about their roles in the upcoming season.
3. Andrew Mukuba – The Absent Safety
In the NFL, availability is the ultimate superpower, and right now, rookie safety Andrew Mukuba is coming up short. The second-round pick out of Texas made waves this summer with a holdout for a guaranteed $7.1 million rookie deal, but he’s been sidelined by a nagging shoulder injury throughout training camp. While Vic Fangio insists Mukuba can still get “mental reps” in his system, the coach was blunt about the gap between classroom work and on-field action: “Meetings and mental reps are good, but the value of them compared to physical reps is night and day.”
With Mukuba stuck on the sidelines, the Eagles have been experimenting with other options alongside starting safety Reed Blankenship. Nickel cornerback Cooper DeJean has seen time at safety in base defense, while fellow Day 2 pick Sydney Brown and deep reserves like Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam—neither of whom are locks for the 53-man roster—have gotten extended looks. Mukuba’s raw talent and athleticism make him a prime candidate to start opposite Blankenship, but his inability to practice has opened the door for others to steal his thunder. Eagles fans still remember Cooper DeJean’s slow start in 2024 due to missed camp time, which relegated him to return duties before he blossomed in the slot. Could Mukuba face a similar delayed debut if he doesn’t get on the field soon?
2. Trevor Keegan/Drew Kendall – The Center Experiment Crumbles
For the second straight year, the Eagles used a Day 3 pick to find a long-term backup for center Cam Jurgens, and for the second straight year, the plan is unraveling. Last summer, Dylan McMahon was waived and scooped up by the Rams, forcing Philadelphia to sign veteran Nick Gates as a stopgap. This year, the Eagles hoped sixth-round pick Drew Kendall, a legacy lineman from Boston College, would bring savvy and athleticism to Jeff Stoutland’s zone-blocking scheme. Meanwhile, 2024 Day 3 pick Trevor Keegan was pegged as another developmental piece with guard/center versatility.
So far, neither has lived up to the billing. According to Jimmy Kempski of The Philly Voice, Kendall has been overpowered by reserve defensive linemen like Moro Ojomo, who’s stepping into a larger role after Milton Williams’ departure. Kendall’s struggles at both guard and center have been glaring against second- and third-string competition. Keegan’s no better off—his bid to back up Jurgens took a hit when he was pulled from center reps during Friday’s practice. The Eagles need a reliable two-position reserve for gamedays, especially if Landon Dickerson has to slide to center in a pinch. If Kendall and Keegan can’t step up, Philadelphia might be scouring the waiver wire for another option—perhaps someone like Willie Lampkin—before Week 1.
1. Kelee Ringo – The Hype Train Derails
No player entered 2025 training camp with higher expectations—or a steeper fall—than cornerback Kelee Ringo. Touted as the heir apparent to the CB2 role alongside Cooper DeJean in the slot, Ringo was expected to lock down a starting spot in Vic Fangio’s secondary. Instead, he’s been outshined by a surprising veteran: Adoree’ Jackson, a ninth-year pro who’s more focused on chasing a Super Bowl than mentoring a young secondary.
Reports from camp indicate Jackson has taken more first-team snaps than Ringo over the first week, leaving the second-year corner in the dust. While Fangio downplayed his familiarity with Jackson’s game, the veteran’s experience and instincts have clearly given him the edge. Ringo, hyped all offseason as a cornerstone of Philly’s future, now faces a gritty “South Philly Streetfight” to reclaim the starting role. Can he turn things around before Week 1, or will he spend the season on the bench, watching Jackson hold down the fort? For a fanbase that’s been burned by training camp darlings like Ifeanyi Momah and JaCorey Shepherd, Ringo’s early struggles are a bitter pill to swallow.
The Road Ahead
Training camp is a crucible, and there’s still time for Mukuba, Kendall, Keegan, and Ringo to turn things around. Preseason games and practices at the NovaCare Complex offer a chance to prove they belong. But with the clock ticking toward the 53-man roster cutdown, these early flops have Eagles fans nervous. Will they rise to the occasion, or will they join the long list of training camp trivia questions? Only time—and some serious reps—will tell.