Philadelphia Eagles training camp preview: Key dates, notable additions, biggest storylines

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With 2024 NFL training camps set to open, it’s time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Eric Edholm has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the NFC East.

Catch up on the Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason developments and 2024 outlook below.

Training Camp Dates/Information

• Players report: July 23 (rookies & veterans)
• Location: NovaCare Complex | Philadelphia (fan information)

Notable Roster Changes

Preseason Schedule

• Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens | 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 9
• Week 2: at New England Patriots | 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 15 (NFL Network)
• Week 3: vs. Minnesota Vikings | 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 24 (NFL Network)

2024 Schedule Notes

• The Eagles will open the season against the Packers in the first NFL game in Brazil.
• The Eagles will finish the season with three straight games versus NFC East rivals (at WAS, vs. DAL, vs. NYG).
• Philadelphia closes the campaign with four of its final five games at home.

— NFL Research

What You Need To Know

1) The Eagles started hot last season, winning 10 of their first 11 games prior to collapsing down the stretch and losing on Super Wild Card Weekend. It was a gutting follow-up to the 2022 season, when the Eagles lost heartbreakingly in the Super Bowl. Now, the team — and especially QB Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni — will face intense pressure to ensure this season doesn’t unfold similarly. Interestingly, Sirianni has run pretty low-key camps relative to some other teams in terms of practice intensity and veteran workload, but it sounds like he’s opened the door to at least a somewhat different approach this year. Sirianni knows he must get things back on track.

2) One of the more fascinating coordinator changes this offseason was the addition of Kellen Moore to run the Eagles offense, with questions about how his tendencies will mesh with what Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts have done best together to this point. Now on his fourth play-caller in five seasons, Hurts recently said the Eagles offense is 95 percent new, which drew a raised eyebrow or two. But that doesn’t mean it will end poorly, with the bar having been lowered after things ground to a halt under Brian Johnson. If Moore can inject some life into the system with his multiple formations, early-down aggressiveness and quick passing game, it might do wonders for not only Hurts, but also for the other elite weapons — namely A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert. Even with Jason Kelce retired, the offensive line should remain a top unit. The pieces are in place to be a high-scoring (and more consistent) unit once more. But how quickly will it mesh?

3) Not to be outdone on the other side of the ball, Vic Fangio coaching the defense might be just as intriguing an addition. The bar is lower here, as the unit fell unexpectedly and was a major reason for the team’s collapse in December and beyond. Fangio isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers with his no-nonsense style. Things ended poorly for him in Miami last season, but schematically, his defenses have been known for strong front-seven play and a bend-but-don’t-break approach that forces offenses to nickel and dime their way down the field, often leading to more takeaway and big-play chances for the defense. The talent is there, with early-round draft picks up and down the depth chart. It will be fun to see if Fangio can lead an Eagles revival in his homecoming, having grown up a few hours away from Philly.

4) In order for the defense to thrive, the front line needs to dominate again and the secondary must become a reliable unit. Injuries and declining play decimated the back end last year, but the return of C.J. Gardner-Johnson and the additions of first- and second-rounders Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean appear to have bolstered the depth. There’s also hope that formerly suspended CB Isaiah Rodgers could be a sleeper in a revamped secondary, even with several contributors returning. Up front, Jordan Davis failed to take the next step in Year 2, and Jalen Carter tailed off after a white-hot start. Their abilities must be maximized by Vic Fangio and Co. The pass rush might not be as fearsome as it was in the Super Bowl season, but there’s promise. Josh Sweat getting back on track, Nolan Smith emerging and Bryce Huff proving he can handle an increased workload would go a long way toward that end.

5) Saquon Barkley was something of a surprise addition given the money the Eagles had to spend at a position where they’ve sometimes been frugal. But adding a complete, three-down back while robbing a division rival of its top playmaker is always worth considering, and Barkley could be an upgrade over the departed D’Andre Swift. That’s all contingent on Barkley staying healthy, of course, which hasn’t always been the case in his career. But he’ll be running behind what probably will be the best offensive line of his career and might be able to reprise some of his early-career explosiveness this season. The potential of a Hurts-and-Barkley fueled run game is enticing. Kenneth Gainwell is a solid No. 2, but I’ll be curious to see how the multi-tool Will Shipley fits in — and I suspect he’ll eventually have a sneaky role on the team. The only question I have is how much of an impact will the Eagles’ notable investments in the backfield make for a team that was a top-10 rushing unit last year, anyway.