The locker cleanout at the NovaCare Complex is always a quiet, eerie affair. Just a few days ago, the Philadelphia Eagles saw their 2025 season vanish in a Wild Card loss to the 49ers. Now, everyone is looking at the Eagles 53 man roster and wondering how a team with this much talent ended up watching the Divisional Round from their couches.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess to untangle.
You’ve got a Super Bowl win in 2024, followed by a first-round exit in 2025. It’s a rollercoaster. But if you think the roster is going to look the same when they hit training camp for the 2026 season, you haven't been paying attention to how Howie Roseman operates. He’s already started the "future" signings, and the movement is fast.
The QB Room: Jalen Hurts and the Backup Conundrum
Jalen Hurts is the guy. Let’s just get that out of the way. Despite the Wild Card loss, his stats for the 2025 season—3,224 passing yards and 25 touchdowns—show he’s still the engine. But the real conversation around the Eagles 53 man roster lately has been the depth behind him.
Tanner McKee has basically solidified himself as the preferred No. 2. He even got a start this year when Hurts was resting. Then there’s Sam Howell. The Eagles traded for him because, quite frankly, Kyle McCord didn't cut it in preseason. It’s a weirdly crowded room for a team that usually likes to keep a developmental projects around.
Most people think the backup spot doesn't matter until it does. If McKee continues to look like a viable starter, don't be surprised if Roseman flips one of these guys for a mid-round pick. It’s his favorite move.
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Why the Defensive Identity is Changing (Fast)
The defense is where things get spicy. We saw a massive youth movement this past year. You’ve got Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean—both All-Pros now—essentially locking down the secondary. It's rare to see two young DBs take over a room like that, but they did.
The Front Seven Reality Check
- The Georgia Connection: Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis are the anchors. Period. Davis finished with 4.5 sacks this year, which is solid for a man his size.
- The Edge Problem: This is where the 2026 roster gets tricky. Jalyx Hunt led the team with 6.5 sacks. That’s great for a second-year player, but where was the veteran help?
- The Ojulari/Uche Factor: Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche were supposed to be the "missing pieces." Instead, Ojulari ended the year on IR with a hamstring. Uche was a healthy scratch in the playoffs.
- The Legend: Brandon Graham is 37. He’s still there. He’s a warrior, but he can't play 50 snaps a game anymore.
The linebacker group actually felt deep for once. Zack Baun led the team in tackles (again), and Nakobe Dean finally looked healthy before that late hamstring tweak. Seeing Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Jihaad Campbell get real meaningful snaps was probably the highlight of the defensive season.
The Offensive Line: Life After Lane?
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Lane Johnson. He’s 35. He missed the last eight games of the season with a foot injury, including that playoff loss. When he’s not on the field, the Eagles 53 man roster feels fundamentally broken.
Fred Johnson and the rookie Cameron Williams did what they could, but they aren't Lane.
Jordan Mailata is still the cornerstone at left tackle. He’s signed through the prime of his career and remains the emotional heartbeat of that group. Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens are locked in. The real battle for 2026 will be at right guard and whoever takes over for Lane if that foot injury is more than just a "one-year thing." Tyler Steen has been the "next man up," but the jury is still out on whether he's a long-term starter or just a high-end backup.
Skill Positions: Saquon and the Starters
Saquon Barkley is still Saquon. 28 years old and still the most explosive person on the field most Sundays. Behind him, the rotation is changing. Will Shipley has earned a much bigger role for 2026. He’s a weapon in the passing game that they sort of underutilized this year.
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And the receivers? A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are the best duo in the league. No debate.
But the WR3 spot is still a revolving door. Jahan Dotson had a better camp than actual season. Britain Covey is a punt return god, but he’s limited as a wideout. The team just signed Quez Watkins and Danny Gray to "future" contracts. Honestly, it feels like they’re just throwing darts at the board to see if anyone can finally provide a vertical threat to compliment Brown and Smith.
What Most People Get Wrong About the "Futures"
You see these names pop up in January: Carson Steele, E.J. Jenkins, John Ojukwu.
Most fans ignore them. That’s a mistake. These aren't just camp bodies. These are the guys who fill the bottom five spots of the Eagles 53 man roster. Carson Steele, specifically, is interesting. He’s a bruiser from the Chiefs' system who can play fullback. If the Eagles want to get more creative with their run game in 2026, he’s someone to watch.
The 2026 Offseason Blueprint
- Cap Space: They’ve got about $15 million in effective space. It’s not a ton, but Howie can make that $40 million with three phone calls.
- Draft Capital: Nine picks. Six in the first four rounds. This is where the roster gets rebuilt.
- Coaching Changes: Kevin Patullo is out as OC. That’s going to change the types of players they look for on the offensive side.
The Actionable Bottom Line for 2026
If you're tracking the Eagles 53 man roster, the next three months are more important than the last four. The team is "stinging," according to Dave Spadaro, and that usually leads to an aggressive March.
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Watch the right tackle position. If the Eagles don't sign a veteran insurance policy for Lane Johnson by the second week of free agency, they are almost certainly taking a tackle in the first round. Also, keep an eye on the safety position. Marcus Epps and Reed Blankenship are solid, but with Andrew Mukuba ending the year on IR, they need a playmaker who can actually take the ball away.
The core is there. Hurts, Barkley, Brown, Mailata, Carter, and Mitchell. That's a championship spine. The rest of the 53 is just about finding the right role players who won't disappear when the lights get bright in January.
Next Steps for the 2026 Roster:
- Monitor Lane Johnson’s recovery; his status dictates the entire draft strategy.
- Look for the official announcement of the new Offensive Coordinator to see which "fringe" receivers (like Danny Gray) fit the new scheme.
- Watch the waiver wire in March; Roseman historically targets "failed" first-round picks from other teams to fill out the defensive line depth.