What a difference a week made. Last week, the Eagles were driven indoors for an OTA practice, but on Tuesday, the sun was shining, the temperature flirted with 80, and the Eagles were back outside—where football is meant to be played—on their practice fields at NovaCare. Here’s what went down, including two jaw-dropping plays that stole the show.
Play of the Day 1
It’s an easy call for the top play, and it happened right in front of the onlookers. During a seven-on-seven drill, Jalen Hurts delivered a picture-perfect throw to tight end Dallas Goedert down the left sideline. The ball floated flawlessly over Goedert’s shoulder, landing in the perfect spot despite tight coverage from linebacker Zach Baun. Goedert snared it with his fingertips for a massive gain—around 40 yards—leaving everyone stunned at the precision and skill on display.
Play of the Day 2
Rookie Mac McWilliams made a name for himself with an incredible breakup. On an intermediate throw from Tanner McKee intended for Harrison Bryant on the sideline, McWilliams leaped to contest the pass and swatted it away with authority. It was a highlight-reel moment that showcased the rookie’s potential and had heads turning.
Sights and Sounds
Tight End Power: Tight end Cam Latu brought the intensity during a drill, knocking Connor Barwin flat on his backside. The drill required players to shred would-be tacklers holding bags, like Barwin, then strip the ball from a dummy bag while tackling it. Barwin hit the ground, rolled backward, and got up as linebacker coach Bobby King shouted, “Take care of Connor!”
Barkley and Jackson Banter: Adoree Jackson and Saquon Barkley were chopping it up after Barkley tried to get deep on Jackson. “Not trash talk,” Jackson clarified to Philadelphia Eagles on SI. “It was just about the route concept and what was going on. So I was talking to him while I was carrying him. And I had safety help, so I’m looking at it, and I’m watching the whole play, and I was going to drop him but I didn’t really know where my safety was.” He added, “I just heard him talking to me. But before I dropped him, I wanted to make sure the quarterback got the ball in his hand. Obviously, it’s Saquon Barkley, so they said I did drop him. By the time I looked, I’m like, ‘That could be a hole shot for Jalen Hurts to put it in there.’ And you know what Saquon can do. So, it’s just one of those things where I’m talking, like, ‘Man, I can’t just let you go down the pipe like this, so I had to carry you.’ That’s what it was.”
Stoutland’s Fire: Drew Kendall was at center and Kenyon Green at left guard, working under the watchful eye of offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. The duo was learning how to surface a block, but Stoutland didn’t like what he saw. He let loose a few f-bombs, arms waving animatedly, welcoming rookie Kendall and veteran Green to the intense “Stoutland Way.”
Tough Guy Award
The honor goes to Landon Dickerson. The left guard, fresh off an offseason knee procedure, was out there grinding next to Jordan Mailata with the first team. Meanwhile, center Cam Jurgens, recovering from back surgery, ran on a side field with the specialists. For the second straight week, Brett Toth stepped up at first-team center.
Holy Toledo
Coaches and the general manager of the Toledo Rockets were on hand to watch four of their former players: cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, safety Maxen Hook, and linebackers Dallas Gant and Lance Dixon. Hook and Dixon are undrafted free agents, while Gant, a former Vikings UDFA, joined the Eagles’ practice squad last year.
Two Who Stood Out
Quarterback Kyle McCord: He had a rough moment with a terrible throw, but redeemed himself with a laser over the middle to Kylen Granson, who hauled it in amid heavy traffic for a clutch catch.
Tight End Nick Muse: The fourth-year pro turned a bad throw from Dorian Thompson-Robinson into a highlight, snagging a one-handed catch for a solid gain.
The Eagles’ OTA practice was a mix of shocking plays, intense coaching, and standout moments under the Philadelphia sun. These two plays—Hurts to Goedert and McWilliams’ breakup—set the tone for a day to remember!