The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl triumph, are bracing for a grueling season where every opponent will bring their A-game. As defending champions, the spotlight burns bright, and training camp is the crucible where their 53-man roster will be forged. While stars A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith anchor the wide receiver corps as an electrifying 1-2 punch, the harsh reality of the NFL looms large: injuries are inevitable. Depth at the position is non-negotiable, and the Eagles are banking on their reserves to step up. But one player’s lackluster performance is raising red flags, and his days in Philly may be numbered.
Enter Johnny Wilson, a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, whose early camp showings have been nothing short of disastrous. The towering 6’6″ wideout, expected to leverage his size as a physical, red-zone threat, has instead stumbled out of the gate, casting serious doubt on his future with the team.
Wilson’s struggles were on full display during Tuesday’s practice, where Eliot Shorr-Parks reported a dropped pass in 1-on-1 drills—a glaring miscue for a player fighting to prove his worth. The previous day, Brandon Lee Gowton highlighted another low point: cornerback Mac McWilliams, a full eight inches shorter at 5’10”, outmuscled Wilson in the end zone, breaking up a jump ball that the rookie should have dominated. For a player whose physical attributes were supposed to be his calling card, these moments are damning.
5’10” Mac McWilliams with a PBU in the end zone going up against 6’6” Johnny Wilson for a jump ball.
McWilliams has had some nice moments this offseason. Wilson, less so.#Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) July 28, 2025
Wilson’s underwhelming camp performance is merely a continuation of a lackluster rookie campaign. In 2024, he appeared in 16 games, starting four, but his stat line was forgettable: just five receptions on 15 targets for 38 yards and a single touchdown. Despite playing 34% of offensive snaps and 24% of special teams reps, Wilson failed to make an impact. Fans hoped his towering frame would make him a red-zone nightmare, but his lack of route-running finesse and speed left him as a one-dimensional prospect who couldn’t deliver.
Johnny Wilson with a drop in 1v1s
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) July 29, 2025
The Eagles’ wide receiver depth is a growing concern, and Wilson’s inability to seize the moment has opened the door for others. Terrace Marshall Jr. has been a standout in camp, making plays and turning heads with his consistency. Meanwhile, Jahan Dotson, Ainias Smith, Darius Cooper, Elijah Cooks, Giles Jackson, Taylor Morin, and Ife Adeyi are all vying for roster spots, each bringing more to the table than Wilson has shown thus far. With three preseason games on the horizon, these players have a golden opportunity to impress head coach Nick Sirianni and the staff, while Wilson’s stock continues to plummet.
For Johnny Wilson, training camp was supposed to be a chance to prove he could be more than a late-round flier. Instead, his lack of progress has put him on the chopping block. The Eagles’ front office isn’t known for sentimentality, and with a roster stacked with hungry competitors, Wilson’s margin for error is razor-thin. Unless he can turn things around—and fast—his tenure in Philadelphia may be over before it truly begins. The exit papers are ready, and the clock is ticking.