Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/2v5xrbzm

Originally published July 4, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — Outfielder Brandon Marsh is among five Phillies selected to the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14.

Major League Baseball announced the All-Star rosters Saturday in front of a large crowd at Independence Mall.

Marsh, who is hitting .310 with 15 home runs, 46 RBIs and .857 OPS, was voted in by fans and will start in right field.

Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber — who leads the majors with 30 homers to go along with 55 RBIs and a fourth-best .970 slug — received enough votes to qualify as a reserve. (Shohei Ohtani gets the start at DH.)

First baseman Bryce Harper is also a reserve. He was a “Legend Pick” by commissioner Rob Manfred. The legend pick is for the commissioner to add an iconic, historically significant player to the All-Star Game. Harper is batting .274 with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs.

“I think the longevity side of it (with) Harp,” Phillies manager Don Mattingly told reporters Saturday during the team’s series in Kansas City. “I think just the fact that he’s still continuing to play at that level, it’s huge.”

Phillies left-handed starting ace Cristopher Sánchez (10-3, 2.00, 136 K, 1.09 WHIP) — who threw 50⅔ consecutive scoreless innings (fifth in MLB history since 1893) earlier this season — and right-handed closer Jhoan Duran were voted in by the players (who determine pitcher selections).

This will be the first All-Star Game for Marsh and Duran.

“I think that first one is always special,” Mattingly said. “I just think that first one validates, ‘I’ve made it. I’m an All-Star.’ It’s just huge.”

Phils righty Zack Wheeler was snubbed. He missed the early part of the season recovering from thoracic outlet surgery, but he’s 8-1 with a 2.36 ERA, 84 strikeouts and 0.94 WHIP. He can still be tapped as a replacement.

National League manager Dave Roberts of the Dodgers will have to choose between Sánchez and Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski as the game’s NL starter. “Miz” is 9-4 with a 1.47 ERA, 156 strikeouts and a 0.78 WHIP.

South Jersey native Mike Trout, 34, was voted to start in left field for the American League from the Los Angeles Angels. It’s the 12th All-Star selection for Trout, despite his currently underwhelming slash of .234/.394/.472. He’s injured but said he’ll try to play in some capacity.

“Grateful for everyone who voted, and honored to be selected as an All-Star again,” Trout posted on social media. “It’s pretty special to receive the news on the 250th birthday of our great nation. I love this game, and I love this country. Happy 250th, America!”

Detroit Tigers infielder and Delaware County native Kevin McGonigle was voted in as a reserve. He’s hitting .282 with seven homers, 31 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, 54 runs scored and an .814 OPS. This is his first selection.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/32ypykkr

Originally published July 2, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — The most overlooked story of the Phillies’ offseason was that they made zero effort to re-sign left-hander Ranger Suárez, one of the best big-game pitchers in baseball.

They could sure use him now.

Phillies president Dave Dombrowski let him walk like it was a foregone conclusion. This year with the dreadful Boston Red Sox, the 30-year-old Suárez is 4-3 with a 2.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 92 strikeouts and 26 walks.

Two weeks ago against the Seattle Mariners, he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

Dombrowski last fall: “We’d like to bring Ranger back. He’s one of our priorities. But we probably can’t keep all of our key free agents.”

Suárez’s health issues are well-documented — he missed some time each year and often broke down a bit in the second half. But its not as if he was Joel Embiid. You could usually count on him, and he was absolutely at his best when it mattered most.

In 11 career postseason appearances (42 2/3 innings, including eight starts), Suárez is 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA, 44 strikeouts, a 1.05 WHIP and a save.

His résumé includes starring roles in multiple elimination and series-clinching victories, including helping the Phillies secure the 2022 National League pennant, beating the Braves in a decisive Game 4 of the 2023 NLDS, and earning a win with five strong innings of relief against the Dodgers in last year’s NLDS.

Yet the Phillies’ response last offseason was: “Meh, buh-bye. We’ll replace you with 23-year-old Andrew Painter.”

Never mind that Painter was still recovering from Tommy John surgery, had serious command issues, and posted a less-than-stellar 5.25 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025.

Now, after sending Painter back down with a 1-8 record and 7.06 ERA, the Phillies are actually thin on starting pitching — despite having a trio of frontline arms. Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler and, for the most part, Jesús Luzardo are all bankable stars. But Aaron Nola (3-5, 6.04 ERA) has become a crapshoot at best and still gives up the long ball way to much.

If one of the top three starters goes down with an injury, the Phillies are in trouble. They’re already piecemealing their fifth starter spot, once occupied by Painter.

Thursday’s 6-1 loss to the Pirates wasn’t Alan Rangel’s fault. He threw four scoreless frames to start the game, even though he piled up 90 pitches in that span, and maybe he even has a future as a starter.

“He was good,” manager Don Mattingly said. “He was kinda doing what he’s been doing for us the whole time, keeping us in the game. … You could tell he was kinda running out of gas at the end with the walks and things like that. But he did a nice job for us.”

OK. But right now — with a veteran roster and looming lockout in 2027 — the Phillies need to add a proven arm to their rotation (not to mention bullpen help and perhaps another right-handed-hitting outfielder).

“Schwarber, Realmuto, Suárez and Bader are our priorities, but it’s unlikely we’ll re-sign everybody,” Dombrowski said in the offseason. “(Owner) John (Middleton) is very supportive ... but you don’t have unlimited (money). I don’t think we’re going to have a $400 million payroll.”

The Phillies have been worried about their payroll and luxury tax. What happened to spending “stupid money”?

They re-signed DH Kyle Schwarber and catcher J.T. Realmuto. But why are Suárez and outfielder Harrison Bader no longer on the team?

Bader, 32 — a sparkplug player and punchy right-handed bat — wanted to stay here. In his brief time with the Phillies last year, he slashed .305/.361/.463 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and 30 runs scored in 194 plate appearances while playing a dynamic center field.

But he signed a two-year, $20.5 million contract with the San Francisco Giants in January. The Phillies could have afforded that!

Ranger inked a lucrative five-year, $130 million deal with Boston. That sounds like a lot until you break it down relatively.

His salary steadily increases over time, ultimately reaching $35 million in 2030 and 2031. But this year Suárez is making $7.6 million and next year $15.6 million. Wheeler, 36, who makes $42 million/year, comes off the Phillies’ books after next season.

When Suárez’s current contract is up, he’ll be younger than Wheeler is now.

These decisions aren’t 20/20 hindsight; they were questionable in real time when Dombrowski let Suárez and Bader walk away without so much as a wave goodbye last offseason.

Dombrowski is a future Hall of Fame executive, as he should be. His accomplishments are renowned.

Before Middleton persuaded him to come here in 2021, Dombrowski was working to bring a major league franchise to Nashville (which is on the horizon). He had been with Montreal, Florida, Detroit and Boston, and he had won at every stop.

His clubs, including the Phillies, have reached five World Series and won two of them — the Marlins and the Red Sox captured it all in 1997 and 2018, respectively — and he’s been a turnaround artist for struggling teams. Plus, he’s widely considered a good guy personally around baseball, for whatever it’s worth.

But how are his recent offseason decisions looking now?

Email Christiaan DeFranco at cdefranco@medianewsgroup.com. Follow him on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/285wtxd9

Originally published July 1, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — In sweltering heat that took your breath away, Phillies right-handed ace Zack Wheeler labored through 4⅔ innings. The expected pitchers’ duel between him and Pirates righty Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, never materialized Wednesday.

Phillies manager Don Mattingly, with a three-run lead, pulled Wheeler after 104 pitches with two men on in the fifth. Reliever Kyle Backhus promptly plunked the next two batters and Wheeler ended up charged with four runs on the night.

“I was upset at getting taken out of the game,” Wheeler said brusquely, adding that he should have been given a chance to finish the fifth. “I feel like I’ve earned that.”

Despite his troubles and some shaky Phillies defense, Wheeler struck out 10 while walking just one, though he allowed nine hits. Orion Kerkering (6-0, 2.62 ERA) picked up the win with 1⅔ flawless frames of relief — quelling a Pittsburgh rally in the seventh before Jhoan Duran took over in the ninth — as the Phillies downed the Pirates 10-6.

“I thought Wheels hung in there,” Mattingly said. “Obviously, it was one of those nights that the pitch count got extended early in the game. He didn’t get ahead in the count I’m sure as much as he would like. Gave up some soft contact for hits that just kind of extended innings, extended his pitch count.

“So it was just one of those nights. I don’t know if the heat’s got something to do with this game at all, but obviously it’s a situation where you’re not dealing with perfect weather out there.”

Wheeler (8-1, 2.36) beat Skenes in Pittsburgh on May 17 (6-0) with seven shutout innings.

Regarding Wednesday’s matchup: “I think it was a grind for both of us,” Wheeler said. “Just happy to get that done. It was the first really hot game of the year, so it takes a little getting used to. But once you get that one out of the way, it makes it a little easier for the rest of them.”

Skenes (6-8, 3.62 ERA) hasn’t won since May 12 against the Rockies. The Phillies roughed him up for seven earned runs over four frames Wednesday. They scored in four different innings, including multiple runs in the second, fourth and eighth.

What Wheeler, Backhus and righty Seth Johnson couldn’t get done in the early and middle innings, the Phillies’ bats made up for. In two games against Skenes this year, they’ve now tagged him for 12 earned runs.

“(Skenes’) stuff is good,” Mattingly said. “Pretty much every time out, he’s gonna have good stuff. But we just kind of kept going. Our club’s not really afraid of anybody. It doesn’t matter who the guy is. We’ve got guys who have had success in their careers.”

Trea Turner stayed hot at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Brandon Marsh went 2-for-4 with a homer, walk and two runs. Gabriel Rincones Jr. was 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs. Alec Bohm homered and scored twice, and Bryce Harper added a two-run double.

“This kind of game tonight, you never really felt like you had enough (runs),” Mattingly said. “So to continue to score was huge. … A lot of good things — obviously Trea continues to roll, Harp big hit, Rincones was on all night, Bohm, Marsh. … We just kept scoring.”

After a terrible start this season, Turner’s bat has finally come to life over the past two weeks. In his last 14 games, he’s slashing .350/.381/.948 with 10 RBIs and 18 runs scored. He’s helping provide the right-handed punch they’ve needed.

“I’m not missing mistakes,” Turner said. “I feel like I’m getting in some better counts. I feel like I’m driving off-speed pitches a little bit better and then just kind of using the whole field, really. I feel good again.

“I felt like the two-strike swing came around in Washington, and then I felt like I could mess around and make some adjustments and fall back on that and rely on that. I’ve gotten a lot of two-strike hits in the last couple weeks. That was a big thing for me, so now I can kind of get in (deeper) counts and do some different things. Today I abandoned the leg kick after the first at-bat — felt like I was flying open a little bit — and made a good adjustment.”

Turner said a key to the Phillies’ success is the entire lineup getting involved and picking up the pitching staff.

“I feel like recently, we kind of keep adding (runs),” Turner said. “That’s the difference in the games. You don’t know what’s going to happen. You gotta keep adding on when you can. … “Maybe a few weeks ago, we wouldn’t do that. I felt like everybody did their job today.

“It’s been an extended period of time now where we’ve been putting up a lot more runs, been a lot more dangerous. It’s more than just Kyle (Schwarber), Bryce and Marsh kind of doing everything. It’s nice to have the other six guys contributing in the lineup. Just keep rolling, keep doing what we’re doing and keep stacking up wins.”

The Phillies (49-38) remained 2½ games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves (50-34) who beat St. Louis 5-1 on Wednesday.

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Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/2h33mbxx

Originally published June 18, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — Phillies right fielder Adolis Garcia will undergo right latissimus dorsi repair surgery on Wednesday and is officially out for the season.

The lat muscles connect the arms to the spine, pelvis and upper ribs. Garcia injured himself while making a throw home June 10 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dr. Anthony Romeo in Chicago will perform the surgery, which usually requires six to eight months of recovery. The Phillies expect Garcia to be ready for the start of the 2027 season — though he signed just a one-year deal here in December.

Garcia, 33, was slashing .195/.270/.329 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs while playing an outstanding outfield. His bat was just beginning to heat up before he got hurt.

In other action, the Phillies recalled right-handed pitcher Seth Johnson and selected the contract of right-hander Bryse Wilson, both from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, on Thursday after demoting 23-year-old rookie righty Andrew Painter a day earlier.

To make room on the 26-man roster, they also optioned left-hander Tanner Banks to Lehigh Valley.

“We think the best thing for (Painter) is to kind of get reset, to work on some things and let their pitching people talk with him,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday. “He’s been working on it now, and they tell me he’s been doing very well on the sides. It hasn’t carried over to a game yet.

“It’s difficult, but we’ve sent many good pitchers down, many good players down. They go down and they get reset and they come back and do well. That’s what our goals are and it’s what we think will happen.”

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Painter was 1-8 with a 7.06 ERA with the Phils. In Wednesday’s series finale against Miami, he was rocked for six earned runs in two innings.

“He had major, major Tommy John surgery (in 2023), so last year he was coming back off that,” Dombrowski said. “Sometimes it takes a while to come back and be quite as effective. His stuff is — his fastball is upper 90s, he’s got three good breaking balls, he’s got a split. He’ll command his pitches better when he gets his delivery refined. So we think he’s going to be a very good big-league pitcher.”

Johnson, 27, joins the Phillies for the third time this season. In his last stint, which included outings on April 19 and 20, he made two scoreless appearances with three strikeouts and a walk in two innings of work.

Johnson has pitched in 24 games of relief for Lehigh Valley this season and posted a 1.33 ERA with 40 strikeouts, 10 walks and a 1.00 WHIP. Opponents are batting .172 against him, and he has converted all his save opportunities.

Among International League pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched this year, Johnson ranks sixth in both ERA and WHIP.

Wilson, 28, has pitched in 12 games (11 starts) for the IronPigs this year and has a 6.29 ERA with 58 strikeouts and 21 walks. He has not allowed a run in his last three starts dating back to May 28 and currently has a 13.0-inning scoreless streak.

Wilson has gone 20-23 with a 4.82 ERA, 333 strikeouts and 151 walks in 163 career major league appearances (57 starts) with the Atlanta Braves (2018-21), Pittsburgh Pirates (2021-22), Milwaukee Brewers (2023-24) and Chicago White Sox (2025). He signed with the Phillies as a minor league free agent in December and was a non-roster invitee to MLB spring training.

Banks, 34, has pitched in 26 games (one start) for the Phillies this season and has a 5.86 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 13 walks. He has pitched in 117 career games for the Phillies, posting a 3.85 ERA with 115 strikeouts, 35 walks and a 1.28 WHIP.

Notes

● With Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Mets, the Phillies have dropped two straight.

● Trea Turner (right calf contusion) eventually left the game after being hit by a pitch. He is day-to-day.

● Reliever Jose Alvarado gave up three earned runs. His ERA is now up to 6.58.

● Bryce Harper is hitting .188 in his last 15 games.

● Actor Joe Piscopo and Hall of Fame third basemen Mike Schmidt and George Brett threw out the first pitches. Schmidt and Brett, in town for one of Schmidt’s charities, later joined Tom McCarthy and John Kruk in the TV booth. Mets broadcaster and former first baseman Keith Hernandez briefly stopped by to say hello to all of them.

● The Phillies resume the Mets series Saturday at Citizens Bank Park after Friday’s off day for the World Cup match between Brazil and Haiti across the street.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/5smrj6vs

Originally published June 17, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — As Phillies bats bopped baseballs out of the ballpark like it was BP — drilling three dingers into the dusk and posting seven runs in the first two innings — left-hander Jesús Luzardo was as steady as can be.

Luzardo entered with a dismal home record of 1-4 and a 7.34 ERA. He previously joked it was the polarizing City Connect unis that were the cause of all his troubles at Citizens Bank Park, but the Phillies were in their traditional fire-engine red pinstripes Tuesday during an 8-2 romp over the Miami Marlins. And Luzardo was magnificent.

He scattered five hits over seven innings, striking out nine while walking a pair. He didn’t surrender a hit through the first four frames

The two-run homer he gave up to Esteury Ruiz came in the seventh, his final inning of work. Luzardo was annoyed with himself, but the game was comfortably in hand.

“After the first (inning), I feel like I really found a groove getting back in the zone,” said Luzardo, who issued a walk to start the game. “Kind of lost it at the beginning and then made some adjustments and I felt way better.”

Of the 106 pitches Luzardo threw, 73 were strikes. He worked in and out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth and otherwise cruised.

“Jesús was good, 21 of 28 first-pitch strikes,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We’re able to score early, and him throwing zeroes and we score again.”

Marlins right-handed starter Tyler Phillips (1-2) came in boasting a 1.86 ERA. It ballooned to 3.10 by the time he departed. Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber all went deep. Bryson Stott tripled.

“I think when our offense is rolling like that, it gives the pitchers a little more freedom to attack the zone,” Luzardo (6-4, 4.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) said.

“It feels great (to perform well at home),” said Luzardo, who was in rhythm and dealing his changeup. “Obviously, I know I can do it. I just really think it’s a coincidence. It’s unfortunate — no one wants to pitch badly, especially at home — but the routine stays the same and today I felt really good. So hopefully (I’ll) keep building on that.”

Brandon Marsh hit leadoff and finished 1-for-3 with an opposite-field, two-run homer, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored. He has been one of the leading hitters in baseball since May of last year (.314/.375/.489) and he’s a leading outfield vote-getter to start the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14.

“I haven’t really looked at it, to be honest with you,” Marsh said of the voting. “I’m really just trying to enjoy now and just take it day-by-day and see where it all falls out at the end.”

The Phillies placed right-handed reliever Brad Keller on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 14, with right forearm tendinitis. They recalled righty Max Lazar from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill his spot on the big-league roster.

Keller, 30, has made 31 appearances for the Phillies this season and is 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 12 walks. He has converted three of his four save opportunities.

“We feel good about him, and we’re looking more at the long game with him and making sure he’s going to be available as we go forward,” Mattingly said. “We always do (imaging). Just probably inflammation and stuff like that. It is something we know has been nagging. He’s been a little hesitant talking to us about it, but we don’t need any heroes right now.”

Keller has held opposing hitters to an average exit velocity of 85.9 mph and a 32.6% hard-hit rate, which rank in the 94th and 83rd percentile, respectively, among major league pitchers this year.

Lazar, 27, has pitched in 15 games across three levels of the Phillies system this season, including 11 in rehab assignments. He has a combined 3.93 ERA with 16 strikeouts and six walks. The 6-foot-2 right-hander was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on May 30.

Lazar made 36 relief appearances for the Phillies last season and was 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA and one save.

NOTES: The Phillies improved to 31-14 under Mattingly, including winning 11 of 15 series. … Schwarber played first base while Bryce Harper was DH. … Trea Turner had the night off after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist the previous game. X-rays were negative. … The Phillies’ City Connect uniforms (dark blue, light blue, black, yellow trim, street-gang-style font reading “Philly”) will be replaced with an entirely new design in 2027.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/29tnuy87

Originally published June 10, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — As the Eagles wrapped up minicamp ahead of their summer break, Jalen Hurts put to bed some lingering questions.

He talked about receiver A.J. Brown’s departure for New England and about the ESPN story from April 1 that portrayed him as resistant to change. And he flatly denied a key detail from the story about the failed fourth-down play that ended Philadelphia’s season.

The quarterback didn’t dodge any of it.

Brown recently said he and Hurts were no longer as close as they once were, though he added there was no animosity between them. Hurts declined to dispute Brown’s view.

“I’m not in the place to challenge anyone’s perspective on anything,” Hurts said Wednesday. “Seemingly so, it was. That’s where I am. I’ve always been focused on the collective. I’ve always put my energy towards that. As a leader, I’ve always put an onus on giving maximum effort to achieve the shared mission we have on the team.”

Asked whether he was disappointed by how Brown’s Eagles tenure ended, Hurts instead reflected on what they accomplished together.

“You come into it and you have a sense of pride with how it began, and definitely what we were able to accomplish,” Hurts said. “Nothing can take that away. For the great things that we did, now it’s time to focus on achieving great things with this iteration of the team.”

Regarding the ESPN story:

“I’ve never really asked for an opportunity to respond to anything,” he said. “So just let it live and go do my job.”

When pressed, the quarterback rejected the notion that he is resistant to change, a theme that surfaced in that story and previous reporting during the season.

“I’m always open to growth. I’m always open to improving,” Hurts said. “I think a lot of it is, what do we put our time on task? What are we exhausting? What are we repping? And so, I’m looking forward to seeing how training camp goes so we can just continue to build on the foundation that we’re beginning to lay down.”

Asked whether he called for the infamous four-verticals concept on the Eagles’ final offensive snap in the wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Hurts offered a two-word answer.

“Nah. No.”

Coach Nick Sirianni defended Hurts when asked about the scrutiny surrounding his quarterback.

“I think Jalen is consistent. Very, very consistent,” Sirianni said. “One thing I know Jalen does is stay locked into the moment and things that he can control.”

Carter extension watch

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter again participated in individual work but did not take part in team drills.

When asked whether Carter’s status was related to health or ongoing contract discussions, Sirianni declined to elaborate.

“I’m sorry, I’m not going to get into all those different things,” Sirianni said.

Carter, 25, is entering his fourth season. The Eagles picked up his fifth-year option, but he’s at a time in his career when elite defensive tackles often receive lucrative extensions, making his workload one of the more closely watched storylines entering training camp.

The team and Carter’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, are reportedly negotiating a new deal.

Jurgens: Line trending in right direction

Center Cam Jurgens, who traveled to Medellin, Colombia, for stem-cell treatment in February, said he and the rest of the offensive line are feeling healthy. The group continues adjusting to new terminology and new techniques under offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and O-line coach Chris Kuper, but health is a primary focus.

“After the Super Bowl (from the 2024 season), getting back surgery, you don’t really get an offseason,” a jovial Jurgens said. “You’re just rehabbing and you’re going right into the next season. … You’re trying to get through things, but it’s so nice to have a full offseason like this year.

“(Stem-cell therapy) is a great option for us. … I’m going to do everything I can to get my body right. I’ve talked to a lot of guys around the league, and so many people have used stem cells. I’ve noticed such a good change since I’ve been down there.”

The treatments are meant to help with surgery recovery, spinal disc degeneration, torn ligaments and joint damage.

NOTES: Wide receiver DeVonta Smith (personal reasons) was not present for Wednesday’s practice. … Sirianni said Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee will continue rotating as the No. 2 quarterback. McKee was QB2 Wednesday, with Dalton on the third team. … Rookie tight end Eli Stowers continues to impress. Sirianni called him “an extremely, extremely intelligent football player.” … Cornerback Riq Woolen remained one of the most noticeable defenders during minicamp and continued to receive extensive first-team work opposite Quinyon Mitchell. … The Eagles released Za’Darius Smith from the reserve-retired list and added veteran defensive end A.J. Epenesa as they continue reshaping the back end of the roster. … Training camp starts in late July, in approximately six weeks on a date to be announced.

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The Morning Call: https://tinyurl.com/569yy9jv

PHILADELPHIA — Sean Mannion, the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator, has everybody’s attention at OTAs, including All-Pro left tackle Jordan Mailata.

“Sean is an evil genius,” Mailata said Tuesday. “That is my first impression. He just knows ball.

“If I were to lock the three smartest people in the facility in one room, Sean would be there, and I think Sean will just be (there) himself. It would just be Sean in that room. That’s how smart he is.”

Mailata was not alone. Earlier in organized team activities, Jalen Hurts called the work “a really good process” and said Mannion has been “very clear” and “very intentional” while installing a new offense built on timing, motion, under-center work and more play-action.

“It’s exciting to be able to learn a new brand of football,” Hurts said.

Mannion, 34, arrived from Green Bay with roots in the modernized West Coast system. Running back Saquon Barkley has operated from deeper alignments. The offensive line has been drilling more zone concepts. And despite the Eagles’ revolving door of OCs the last several years, there’s genuine enthusiasm about Mannion.

“He’s a wizard,” Mailata said. “And I’m super excited, as the year goes on, we get to display what is in the beautiful mind of his.”

Another major offensive change is simpler: A.J. Brown is gone.

The Eagles traded Brown to the New England Patriots on Monday for a 2028 first-round pick and the better of New England’s two fifth-round picks in 2027. Brown leaves after four seasons, 339 catches, 5,034 yards, 32 touchdowns, two Super Bowl trips and one Lombardi Trophy.

He also leaves after months of noise.

Mailata did not dance around it.

“I think this is more of a — it sounds terrible — but like, thank God it’s over,” Mailata said. “It was a slow pain of just, is he in, is he out? We didn’t really know, and that really wasn’t our focus as a team, especially on offense.”

The Eagles now turn to DeVonta Smith, rookie first-round pick Makai Lemon from USC, second-round tight end Eli Stowers out of Vanderbilt, and free agents Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks and Elijah Moore.

Plus, for at least one more year, they have veteran tight end Dallas Goedert — which could lead to some interesting packages featuring both Goedert and Stowers on the field together.

“I mean, just the relationship we had, the brotherhood and things like that,” Smith said about the difficulty of Brown’s departure. “We had a great time here. Business is business.

“I’m just going out there and do my job,” Smith added, referencing becoming the No. 1 receiver. “Regardless, however you want to look at it, one, two, three, four. End of the day, we all have jobs, and I’ve got to go out there and do it. I’m going to do the same thing I’ve been doing.”

General manager Howie Roseman said the deal was about the present and the future.

“We wouldn’t have done this trade if there wasn’t a first-round-pick-plus included,” Roseman said.

The Eagles also gained cap and cash relief by waiting until after June 1. Roseman said Brown wanted a fresh start and the Eagles wanted flexibility.

“It was a win-win situation based on where he was and how he felt,” Roseman said. “There’s no doubt that A.J. Brown was a huge, huge part of our football team, a great player for us, and that loss will have to be picked up by more than just one player.”

NOTES: WR Lemon was sidelined with a hamstring injury. He is expected to be ready for training camp in July. … WR Brown, who grew up rooting for the Patriots, called arriving in New England “heaven,” reminiscent of Scott Rolen calling St. Louis “baseball heaven” after his departure from the Phillies in 2002. … Andy Dalton took snaps at QB2 over Tanner McKee on Tuesday. … EDGE Jonathan Greenard (shoulder surgery), acquired in a trade with Minnesota during the NFL draft, participated on a limited basis. … Mandatory minicamp is next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

From The Morning Call: https://tinyurl.com/ynha7jmb

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles traded wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots on Monday, ending one of the most productive stretches by a receiver in franchise history.

Brown, occasionally described as mercurial, arrived from the Tennessee Titans in 2022 and quickly became the centerpiece of the passing game, helping the Eagles reach two Super Bowls and win one.

But he always wanted more. He wanted to win, of course, but he wanted to be great in the process. After the Eagles dominated Super Bowl LIX, Brown posted on Instagram:

“After a few days, I’ve had time to reflect on being a champion. I tried to feel how everyone made it seem to be a champion, and unfortunately it was short-lived. Two days, in fact. I’ve never been a champion at the highest level before, but I thought my hard work would be justified by winning it all. It wasn’t.

“My thrill for this game comes when I dominate. It’s the hunt that does it for me. It’s when the DB drops his head and surrenders because he can’t (expletive) with me, the intense battles, early mornings, late nights, sacrifices. I love putting a smile on people’s faces, don’t get me wrong. But it just wasn’t what I thought it would be. It’s the journey that I love the most. Back to work”

These were Brown’s five defining moments as an Eagle:

1. Breaking the franchise receiving record (2022)

In his first season with the Eagles, Brown caught 88 passes for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns. The yardage total broke Mike Quick’s franchise record and announced Brown’s arrival as one of the NFL’s elite receivers.

2. A monster Eagles debut (Sept. 11, 2022)

Brown introduced himself to Philadelphia by catching 10 passes for 155 yards in a season-opening victory over the Detroit Lions. It remains one of the best debuts by any player in team history.

3. Dominating the Super Bowl stage (Super Bowl LVII)

The Eagles lost to the Chiefs in the 2022-23 Super Bowl, but Brown was spectacular. He caught six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown, including a 45-yard scoring strike from Jalen Hurts.

4. Making NFL history (2023)

Brown became the first player in league history to record six consecutive games with at least 125 receiving yards. During that stretch, he looked virtually unstoppable and carried the Eagles’ passing attack.

5. Helping bring home a championship (2024 season)

Brown’s legacy was cemented when the Eagles captured Super Bowl LIX. He finished the title game with three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown as Philadelphia defeated Kansas City 40-22. He had some highlight games along the way, despite running back Saquon Barkley’s record-setting 2,000-yard campaign capturing most of the headlines.

Brown leaves Philadelphia with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, multiple Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl ring. Few receivers have made such an impact here in a shorter period of time.

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PHILADELPHIA — The A.J. Brown era is over.

The Eagles traded their star wide receiver to the New England Patriots on Monday, ending a four-year run that included record-setting production, a Super Bowl championship and some of the biggest moments in franchise history.

Philadelphia received a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in return, the team confirmed.

The move closes the book on one of the most impactful acquisitions of the Howie Roseman era.

Brown arrived during the 2022 NFL Draft after the Eagles acquired him from the Tennessee Titans and immediately signed him to a long-term extension. Roseman called Brown “an elite player” at the time. Brown quickly proved him right.

In his first season in Philadelphia, Brown set a franchise record with 1,496 receiving yards and helped lead the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII. A year later, he authored one of the greatest stretches by any receiver in NFL history, becoming the first player ever to record six straight games with at least 125 receiving yards.

His biggest accomplishment came during the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX championship season. Brown remained the focal point of the passing game and helped deliver the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.

By the time he left, Brown had produced four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Philadelphia. He earned three Pro Bowl selections and three second-team All-Pro honors while becoming one of the league’s most feared receivers.

He also was a leader in the community, often contributing to charities and even buying people groceries in underprivileged neighborhoods.

Brown never hid his ambitions on the football field.

“I want to be the greatest,” he repeatedly said, including this offseason and during training camp last July.

That mindset helped make him one of the defining players of the Eagles’ recent championship window. Sirianni often praised Brown’s impact, once saying, “He changes games.”

But a failure to get him the ball caused him to speak out. But contrary to outside opinion, he was not a locker-room cancer. He was well-liked by teammates and voted a co-captain. Last November, he called out problems with the offense that most players and coaches wouldn’t mention publicly.

“It’s not just totally about my situation,” Brown said. “Obviously I want to win too. I think if we’re really focused on winning and doing our job, we can’t just slapping a Band-Aid over the defense doing their job and getting us out of trouble. At what point are we gonna pick up our slack as an offense?

“Week after week, we’re not doing our job on offense. … You can’t just expect to win at the end of the year.”

Brown’s departure had seemed inevitable for months.

Trade rumors have swirled throughout the offseason. The Patriots, coached by former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, emerged as the most frequently mentioned destination. Once the calendar flipped to June 1 — the date when NFL teams could defer bonuses and other guaranteed money — the Eagles pulled the trigger. The financial hurdles that had complicated a deal became easier for the Eagles to manage as a $20 million salary cap hit turned to $10 million.

Now the focus shifts to what comes next.

The Eagles still have DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert and offseason addition Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. They also have extra draft capital to continue reshaping an offense that is undergoing significant changes under new coordinator Sean Mannion.

But replacing A.J. Brown will not be easy.

He leaves Philadelphia as one of the most productive receivers in franchise history. More than that, he leaves behind a highlight reel that includes a franchise receiving record, a historic six-game streak, multiple playoff runs and a Super Bowl championship.

For four seasons, Brown helped define the Eagles’ offense.

He often spoke about greatness. In Philadelphia, he found much of it.

He rewrote the Eagles’ record book. He helped take the franchise to two Super Bowls. He brought home a Lombardi Trophy.

Now he leaves with four straight 1,000-yard seasons, three Pro Bowls, three All-Pro selections and a place among the best receivers ever to wear midnight green.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/y3fbkbra

PHILADELPHIA — With the “Top Gun” theme song blaring over the speakers inside the Eagles’ practice bubble, running back Saquon Barkley took a QB handoff from under center, found an opening and burst through the “danger zone” to the open field during a seven-on-seven drill at voluntary OTAs.

Once he broke through, the play was over. But Barkley kept running all the way to the end zone, semi-dragging a couple of defenders.

No one was in full pads, just shells, but Barkley likes to go all-out on every play.

The Eagles arrived at organized team activities this week with a new offensive coordinator, new terminology and new ideas.

Sean Mannion’s offense is still in its infancy, but the early emphasis has been clear: Build around what already works, then layer in new concepts.

That approach has drawn praise from head coach Nick Sirianni, quarterback Jalen Hurts and Barkley as the Eagles continue their spring work.

“Sean’s done an awesome job thus far,” Sirianni said Wednesday. “I really like the command that he has in front of the room and the conviction that he has in front of the room and the knowledge that he has in front of the room.”

The challenge facing Mannion is unique.

The Eagles are not rebuilding an offense. They are trying to evolve one that has been among the NFL’s most productive units during Hurts’ tenure, but which has stalled and failed to unlock its full potential. That means introducing fresh ideas without losing the foundation that helped deliver a Super Bowl title.

Mannion brings a modern iteration of the West Coast offense. During drills at Jefferson Health Training Complex on Wednesday, there was lots of under-center, lots of pre-snap motion, lots quick slants and crossing routes.

Hurts, now entering his sixth NFL season, has become familiar with change. Mannion is the fifth offensive coordinator he has worked with since arriving in Philadelphia, but the quarterback said he has embraced the opportunity to learn a different approach.

“It’s exciting to be able to learn a new brand of football,” Hurts said. “Understanding the philosophy behind it, understanding why we’re doing things and building those habits from the ground up.”

Hurts’ vibe felt sincere. He didn’t seem like he was just trying to say the right things. He seemed genuinely enthused and confident about Mannion and the new direction.

“One thing that’s really special about Jalen is just how consistent he is with his approach to getting better every single day,” Sirianni said. “Regardless of if we’re calling a concept one thing or if we’re calling a concept another thing or who the play caller is.”

Mannion’s objective is not to replace what has worked. During his introductory press conference last week, he described the offense as a blend of concepts Hurts already excels in and new wrinkles he hopes to add.

Some of those changes were visible Wednesday.

The under-center formations, expanded motion packages and additional outside-zone concepts are staples of the coaching tree that influenced Mannion. Barkley said the offense has already challenged him to think differently.

“It’s refreshing,” Barkley said. “I’ve never seen a system like this.”

For Barkley, the adjustment goes beyond memorizing a playbook. Running from under center changes the timing of a run, the footwork before the handoff and the way a back sees developing lanes.

“It’s definitely different,” Barkley said. “But I like it.”

The learning curve extends throughout the offense, from veteran stars to returning linemen working with a new position coach for the first time in their careers.

Sirianni repeatedly emphasized that the focus of OTAs is not on unveiling scheme. It is on mastering the details that make any offense function.

“You can run any scheme you want,” Sirianni said. “But if you can’t block, if you can’t catch, if you can’t protect the football, it doesn’t really matter.

“OTAs are for building a foundation.”

Along those lines is the developing relationship between Mannion and Hurts.

“Trust is built through hardships together,” Sirianni said. “Trust is built as you go through this with time spent together.”

The Eagles have nearly four months before they open the regular season. Training camp and preseason games will provide a clearer picture of what Mannion’s offense ultimately becomes.

For now, the goal is simpler: Install the system, sharpen the fundamentals and find the right balance between continuity and change. The Eagles believe they’re on their way.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/ypsnracu

PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts tried to quiet the noise Wednesday.

The Eagles quarterback addressed speculation surrounding his relationship with wide receiver A.J. Brown, whose recent wedding and likely departure have fueled questions throughout the offseason.

Brown was not at voluntary OTAs and is expected to be traded after June 1, when the Eagles’ salary cap hit would be $10 million instead of $20 million.

Hurts was not at Brown’s May 16 wedding to Kelsey Riley at the Montage Laguna Beach resort in California. The absence drew attention because the two men have been close for more than a decade. Hurts is the godfather of Brown’s daughter.

Brown and his wife later shared photos from the ceremony on social media. The images quickly spread online, becoming another talking point in a month already dominated by trade rumors.

Hurts said there is no issue between him and the wide receiver.

“Nothing’s changed since we last spoke at the end of the season,” Hurts said. “We’re really good. I saw how beautiful the pictures came out at his wedding. I’m very happy for him, and his wife and his family, and it’s a beautiful thing to step into the Covenant. So I was very excited and congratulatory towards that.”

The comments came as Brown continues to be linked to a potential trade. The news conference was cut short for team activities before a follow-up inquiry about whether Hurts was invited to the wedding. Asked how a Brown trade would affect the offense, Hurts initially paused while taking a drink of water.

“Picked the right question to sip on, huh?” he joked. “I think for us, we are focused on learning the offense. There’s an ‘if’ — obviously, it’s been a lingering thing. But nothing can replace all the greatness that we achieved together.

“We’re really good,” he added again about their relationship.

The New England Patriots are the frontrunners to land Brown. The timing is notable because the Eagles will scrimmage against the Patriots in Foxboro, Mass., during training camp ahead of the teams’ preseason game Aug. 22.

New England, which lost last season’s Super Bowl 29-13 to Seattle, is already dealing with drama surrounding coach Mike Vrabel and his alleged affair with NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Vrabel missed part of the NFL draft to enter counseling.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/256ybjnp

PHILADELPHIA — Nearly four months after the Eagles hired him as offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion met the Philly media last Thursday.

The 6-foot-6 former quarterback — who once held the Pac-12 record for career passing yards and still holds several records at Oregon State — brought alpha energy to the podium. He was friendly and smiling, yet relaxed and in command.

Mannion, 34, has never called plays before, but as a former QB, including nine seasons as a backup in the league, this ain’t his first rodeo. Most recently, he was Jordan Love’s quarterbacks coach in Green Bay, working under Matt LaFleur — Mannion’s former OC during a 2017 stop as a player with the Rams — before coming here.

“I’ve always been kind of working toward the hope of getting the opportunity to do this,” Mannion said. “So even in Green Bay, you’re always going through, as the quarterbacks coach, saying, ‘All right, what calls do I have to have (Love) ready for?’ You’re kind of thinking through the process of the game throughout the week: ‘What’s (LaFleur) going to look to call here? What’s my favorite third-down call?’

“You’re always kind of taking yourself through that process mentally. It was the same thing as a player. You’re always taking yourself through that process, kind of flexing those muscles. Even now, scripting practice, you’re still going through that same operation.”

2017 was Sean McVay’s first year as head coach in Los Angeles. He, along with LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell and, of course, Kyle Shanahan, have advanced the modern iteration of the West Coast offense. That’s what Mannion is installing with the Eagles.

The son of a coach

Mannion grew up in Alameda County in Northern California, where he was both a pitcher and quarterback in high school. He, like Jalen Hurts, is the son of a coach.

His father John coached high school football for 37 years, including in Oregon after Sean signed with the Beavers. He won a combined 10 league championships and two sectional titles, reached a state final and was nationally recognized before retiring a few years ago. He currently puts out a coaching newsletter.

“I think it really, for me, starts with my dad,” Mannion said. “My dad was a longtime high school football coach. I’ve been around the game my entire life. He’s a teacher. My mom’s a teacher.

“You can hear me talk about the teaching influence a lot when it comes to coaching. But just the drive, the work ethic, the relationships with the players, the commitment to fundamentals — my dad was a huge influence on me there.”

The offensive philosophy

Mannion’s offensive approach reflects today’s evolution of Bill Walsh’s West Coast concepts. It is quarterback-friendly and relies on rhythm, timing and simplified QB reads. Here are some basics:

● Often places the QB under center rather than in shotgun.

● Emphasizes quick, three- to five-step dropbacks, with release of the ball when the back foot plants on the final step.

● Positions receivers to create yards after the catch off short, easy throws.

● Stretches the defense horizontally, not just vertically.

● Presents similar plays out of multiple formations.

● Deploys both run and pass plays out of identical formations and identical backfield movement.

● Regularly uses a zone-blocking attack in the run game, with lateral movement by the offensive line (as opposed to north-south blocking man-on-man) to create natural openings and cutback lanes for runners. It is designed to stress defenders’ discipline by eliciting overpursuit and forcing them to defend a wider horizontal area.

● Employs lots of bootlegs and play action, including the quarterback turning his back to the defense on handoffs and fakes, to keep defenders honest and get the QB on the move. The zone blocking on pass plays often mirrors the lateral zone blocking on runs.

● Interchanges running backs, wide receivers and tight ends in the passing game, including an emphasis on tight end involvement.

● Incorporates lots of pre-snap motion and reads to create favorable matchups and force the defense to reveal itself.

● Aims for sequencing of play calls, creating an offensive “story” as the game progresses, with later calls building off of earlier ones.

● Often includes condensed formations to cause traffic for the defense as receivers spread the field horizontally with quick diagonal outs and crossing routes.

● Utilizes diversity of personnel.

The big question is, how will this system mesh with Hurts? And will it be complicated to learn all the West Coast verbiage?

“Jalen’s been awesome,” Mannion said. “I really think he can do anything we ask of him. He’s accurate. He’s a great athlete. He really attacks the fundamentals. That’s what’s been really fun to watch these last two weeks. He’s always wanting more things to work on, wanting more things regarding fundamentals, timing, understanding the scheme. He’s hungry for more.

“Jalen’s been outstanding in the meetings, and I think having gone through multiple coordinators and stuff, you can tell he’s a really capable learner. … I think there’s always going to be some degree of connection (between new and old). It’s a blend of all the things — the things he’s really thrived on here and some of the new things we’re bringing to the table.”

‘Listen to his feet’

Recent criticisms of Hurts have included flaws in his footwork, not trusting his progressions and holding the ball too long. Such issues, which are interconnected, have contributed to inconsistent production — an offense that hums one quarter and sputters the next. These are all areas in which Mannion specializes. He’s a stickler, in fact.

“I think the quarterback position — there are so many things that go into it. I think everything has a predetermined timing and rhythm to the play. It’s really installing a scheme that has proper timing and proper rhythm in terms of how the different elements involved in the concept work with one another.

“Then you train the quarterback to really understand that and listen to his feet. That’s something we talk about. If your footwork is sound and your rhythm’s good, it’s just going to feel like the ball wants to come out, right? And if it’s not, then you move on.”

The Eagles officially begin organized team activities on Tuesday.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/2ufxh3zp

Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Nolan Smith was arrested Friday, May 15 in central Georgia on charges of reckless driving and excessive speeding after authorities said he was clocked at 135 mph in a 70-mph zone on Interstate 16 in Twiggs County.

The Georgia Gazette, which tracks criminal cases in the state through public records, was first to report on the arrest, which has been confirmed by multiple outlets.

According to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office, Smith was stopped around 10:40 p.m. and later booked into jail before being released on bond.

The arrest comes to light as the Eagles prepare to begin organized team activities on Tuesday.

Smith, 25, whom Philadelphia drafted 30th overall out of the University of Georgia in 2023, will be entering his fourth season with the team. His best year was in 2024, when he logged 42 combined tackles, eight TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, two passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He spent much of last season on injured reserve after re-aggravating a triceps injury.

In April, the Eagles picked up his 2027 fifth-year option worth $13.75 million.

Smith’s arrest is the latest in a string of driving-related incidents involving current and former University of Georgia football players, including Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Carter pleaded no contest in 2023 to misdemeanor reckless driving and street-racing charges connected to a January 2023 crash that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy, who were in the car that Carter was racing.

In addition to that fatal accident, multiple Bulldogs football players have been arrested or cited for speeding, reckless driving or racing-related offenses, drawing national attention to the program’s driving culture.

This also was not Smith’s first driving-related arrest.

While at Georgia in January 2022, Smith was charged with speeding in a construction zone and driving with a suspended license. According to reports at the time, he was accused of driving 89 mph — 44 mph over the posted limit.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/ytpw7pjy

The NFL released its full 2026 schedule Thursday night. Here’s the Eagles’ schedule.

They have nine home games and eight away games. They’ll open at Lincoln Financial Field against the Washington Commanders on Sept. 13.

The Birds will play in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day and host the Houston Texans on Christmas Eve.

The Eagles will play Jacksonville in London as the away team on Oct. 11. They were robbed of a home game two years ago when they opened their season internationally against the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil.

“I like going overseas because it’s an opportunity to play in front of a different audience, so I love that part. But coming back, I don’t think it sets you up well,” running back Saquon Barkley said.

The Eagles are slated to play on Sunday Night Football twice, Monday Night Football twice — hosting the Cowboys Oct. 26 — and Thursday Night Football on Prime Video once.

They’ll host a Saturday game against the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. leading into a short week for the Christmas Eve game the following Thursday.

“They doing us crazy,” left tackle Jordan Mailata said after learning of the Christmas Eve date.

Last year, the Birds didn’t have back-to-back home games until December. This season, they have back-to-back road games only three times — in weeks 2-3, weeks 12-13 and weeks 17-18.

They’ll have back-to-back home games twice and a stretch of three consecutive home games this December — though on some short rest against formidable opponents in the Seahawks, Texans and 49ers.

The Eagles’ bye comes in the middle of the season in Week 10, between home games against the Giants and Steelers. Most of their toughest opponents — based on last year’s records — come at home.

But the NFC East should be much improved. The Cowboys, Commanders and Giants have all gotten healthy and upgraded their rosters, and New York landed a future-Hall of Fame coach in John Harbaugh.

On the surface, the Eagles’ schedule appears relatively easy. But their division might end up being the most difficult in the league.

Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears

Preseason

— Saturday, August 15 at Baltimore Ravens 7:00 p.m. NBC10

— Saturday, August 22 at New England Patriots 7:00 p.m. NBC10

— Friday, August 28 Cincinnati Bengals 8:00 p.m. CBS

Regular Season

WEEK 1: Sunday, Sept. 13: Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m., FOX

WEEK 2: Sunday, Sept. 20: at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., FOX

WEEK 3: Monday, Sept. 28: at Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m. ESPN (Monday Night Football)

WEEK 4: Sunday, Oct.4: Los Angeles Rams 1 p.m., FOX

WEEK 5: Sunday, Oct. 11: at Jacksonville Jaguars in London (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium), 9:30 a.m., NFL Network

WEEK 6: Sunday, Oct. 18: Carolina Panthers 1 p.m.+, CBS

WEEK 7: Monday, Oct. 26: Dallas Cowboys 8:15 p.m. ESPN (Monday Night Football)

WEEK 8: Sunday, Nov. 1: at Washington Commanders 8:20 p.m.+ NBC (Sunday Night Football)

WEEK 9: Sunday, Nov. 8: New York Giants 1 p.m.+, FOX

WEEK 10: BYE

WEEK 11: Sunday, Nov. 22: Pittsburgh Steelers 4:25 p.m.+, CBS

WEEK 12: Thursday, Nov 26: at Dallas Cowboys 4:30 p.m.+, FOX

WEEK 13: Sunday, Dec. 6: at Arizona Cardinals 4:05 p.m.+, FOX

WEEK 14: Sunday, Dec. 13: Indianapolis Colts 1 p.m.+, FOX

WEEK 15: Saturday, Dec: 19 Seattle Seahawks 5 p.m.+, FOX

WEEK 16: Thursday, Dec. 24 Houston Texans, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)

WEEK 17: Sunday, Jan. 3: at San Francisco 49ers 8:20 p.m.+, NBC (Sunday Night Football)

WEEK 18: at New York Giants, TBD

Postseason

— AFC and NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Saturday, Jan. 16; Sunday, Jan. 17; Monday, Jan. 18

— AFC and NFC Divisional Playoffs: Saturday, Jan. 23; Sunday, Jan. 24

— AFC and NFC Championship Games: Sunday, Jan. 31

— Super Bowl LXI: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif. (ESPN/ABC)Sunday, Feb. 14

+ Game time subject to change due to flex scheduling

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/szyxe5mn

PHILADELPHIA — The baseball looked lighter Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Or maybe the Phillies just stopped carrying the weight of April around with them.

A little less than two weeks after firing manager Rob Thomson during a 9-19 spiral, the Phillies wrapped up their fourth-straight series victory by blanking the Colorado Rockies 6-0 behind two more home runs from Kyle Schwarber and another dominant outing from left-hander Cristopher Sánchez.

More importantly, they left town for a six-game road trip looking like themselves again, like the team this city had been waiting to see all year.

The Phillies are 10-3 under interim manager Don Mattingly — a stretch that easily could have become the season’s breaking point, as they’re still nine games behind the red-hot Braves in the NL East. The standings still matter. The hole from April still exists. But the panic has eased because the Phillies suddenly resemble a team with a pulse, swagger and purpose.

Not coincidentally, they’ve started doing the little things that vanished during the losing streak.

They’ve gotten cleaner starting pitching. Better defense. Better at-bats. Better baserunning. Better energy.

“We’re playing with more urgency right now,” Mattingly said. “Guys are locked in from the first pitch, and when we do that, we’re a tough team to beat.”

The Phillies are hardly steamrolling elite competition in the last four series. The Rockies arrived in Philadelphia as one of baseball’s weakest teams. Miami and San Francisco have both struggled — though the Athletics sit atop the AL West.

But aside from the Braves and Cubs, bad teams spent much of April embarrassing the Phillies too. Winning the games they’re supposed to win counts for something, especially after the way the season began.

And unlike during the early swoon, the Phils suddenly look connected again.

“When everybody’s contributing, the lineup feels different,” Bryce Harper said. “That’s the offense we expect to be.”

Schwarber is back to carrying big innings and is tied with Aaron Judge for the MLB lead in home runs with 16. Alec Bohm responded to his “reset” days off with a two-homer breakout Saturday and then drove in a run Sunday. Harper returned in the Rockies series finale after a migraine scare and immediately homered. Brandon Marsh leads the majors with a .353 batting average.

“We knew we were better than how we played early on,” Schwarber said. “Now we’re starting to stack good games together instead of trying to win everything in one night.”

The clubhouse no longer feels like a room waiting for bad things to happen.

“The energy’s different right now,” Sánchez said. “Guys are playing loose again, and you can feel the confidence coming back.”

Mattingly said it’s what this group is supposed to look like. That may ultimately become the defining question of this Phillies season: Was April the truth or was it the outlier?

Because the roster still looks dangerous. The payroll still screams contender. And the core players who carried this franchise into October the last several years are still here.

The Phillies don’t suddenly look fixed. They remain under .500 (19-22) after digging themselves such an enormous hole. But a season that looked close to detonating now feels alive again.

As the Phillies head to Boston and Pittsburgh, that matters almost as much as the standings themselves.

Email Christiaan DeFranco at cdefranco@medianewsgroup.com. Follow him on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

The Morning Call: https://tinyurl.com/3shudvcm

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles rookie minicamp began with the usual mix of nerves, new jerseys and first impressions. But the number on Makai Lemon’s back carried more weight than most.

The Eagles’ first-round pick revealed Thursday that he will wear No. 9 — the same number worn by Super Bowl LII MVP quarterback Nick Foles. Lemon said he reached out to the folk hero before making the decision and got the blessing he needed.

“It meant a lot,” Lemon said of the conversation. “That’s a special number in this city.”

No Eagle has worn No. 9 since Foles left the team after the 2018 season. (Foles officially retired as an Eagle in 2024.) The number became synonymous with Philadelphia’s first Super Bowl championship and the “Philly Special” play that helped defeat the Patriots. Lemon understands the history.

“I know what that number means here,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to represent it the right way.”

Lemon wore No. 6 at USC, but that number already belongs to Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith. The rookie wide receiver said the next-closest single-digit option was No. 9 — which he joked “looks like a flipped six.” Before making it official, he wanted to contact Foles out of respect for the franchise legend. The quarterback told him to go for it.

The symbolism stood out on a day otherwise focused on introductions. Lemon, the 20th overall pick in last week’s NFL draft, arrives in Philadelphia with high expectations. The former USC star won the 2025 Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, he’s known for sharp route running and yards-after-catch ability.

Philadelphia traded up to draft him, signaling a belief he can become a major piece of the offense. Lemon downplayed the pressure.

“I just want to come in, learn the playbook and earn the trust of the guys,” he said. “Everything else will take care of itself.”

Rookie minicamp marks the first on-field introduction for the Eagles’ entire 2026 draft class. Among the players with Lemon were developmental quarterback Cole Payton of North Dakota State, offensive lineman Micah Morris of Georgia, safety Cole Wisniewski of Texas Tech and edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby of New Mexico. The group will spend the weekend installing basic schemes and getting acclimated to the team’s practice tempo.

The Eagles also made early progress with Lemon off the field. The team reportedly signed him to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $20.8 million, including an $11.5 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option.

That quick deal removes one potential distraction and lets the rookie focus on football.

Lemon said the first few days in the building have already been a whirlwind.

“You walk in and see everything — the history, the trophies,” he said. “You realize what the standard is here.”

The number on his jersey serves as another reminder.

For years, No. 9 belonged to the quarterback who delivered the Eagles’ signature moment. Now the number returns to the field on a rookie receiver hoping to write the next chapter.

“He set the bar,” Lemon said. “Now it’s my job to go out and work.”

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/4fjs9jud

PHILADELPHIA — Hours after taking over as Phillies interim manager, Don Mattingly was in a familiar spot: at first base next to a bucket of baseballs, helping run pregame infield/outfield practice.

“I’m always in the role that I was in in the past or, you know, before this happened,” he said Tuesday. “I’m the support staff, right?”

“Donnie Baseball” — an iconic former player who was king of New York with the Yankees for most of a decade in the mid-1980s through the early ‘90s — signed on as Phillies bench coach before spring training. He neither expected nor wanted to become the new skipper.

“Dave asked. That’s pretty much it,” Mattingly said of accepting the managerial job, referencing team president Dave Dombrowski, who let Rob Thomson go Tuesday morning. The gig likely won’t extend beyond this season, win or lose, but who knows?

“I came in here not wanting to be in front, knowing how good these guys were and the style of play they had, never feeling comfortable with the lead — things like that,” Mattingly said. “I love Topper.”

Mattingly, whose son Preston is the Phillies’ general manager and Dombrowski’s right-hand man, previously managed the Dodgers and Marlins. Most recently he was bench coach with the Toronto Blue Jays, who lost a classic seven-game World Series to the Dodgers last fall.

He is third in a succession of former Yankees to serve as Phillies manager, starting with Joe Girardi in 2020, then Thomson, who took over in June of 2022.

“I don’t think they’re looking for ex-Yankees, right? We’re trying to win games at this point,” Mattingly said.

But the 65-year-old former first baseman, whose plaque in Yankee Stadium’s vaunted Monument Park sits between Reggie Jackson’s and Ron Guidry’s, said he feels like he has begun to develop a rapport with many players here — even if he’s still getting to know some of them — thanks to his support role.

“While you’re doing that (role), you know, you have conversations with players,” Mattingly said. “I like these guys. … I want to have more conversations.”

During a whirlwind day after Thomson’s firing, Mattingly did address the team as a whole.

“Really what we talked about was us being ourselves and playing good baseball,” he said. “It’s about doing all the little things — getting ahead in counts, being aggressive on the bases, good at-bats up and down the lineup. All those things contribute to wins.

“You feel this coming,” he added after Tuesday night’s 7-0 victory over San Francisco, which saw the Phillies crack 11 hits while Jesús Luzardo tossed seven dazzling innings. “I’ve been around long enough to feel the last game in Chicago (April 23, an 8-7 loss in extras) — the fight. The games in Atlanta (April 24-26), we had a chance to win two out of three there. … This has been coming.

“You know when you have this type of talent, it’s there and it’s coming.”

Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, who played in the World Baseball Classic in March, said he’s still becoming familiar with Mattingly as both a man and a manager.

“I haven’t really been around him too much, just because I was out of spring training” Harper said. “Obviously, the last three weeks I’ve been around him, but just still trying to get to know him as a person and a professional as well.

“He’s one of the best first basemen to ever play the game, played in a tough environment in the Bronx. He’s got a lot of stuff in that head to help us play better and things like that. We’re looking forward to turning the page (after Harper gave considerable deference to Thomson), and hopefully it starts to roll a little bit.”

Almost immediately after the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and five coaches last weekend in a Saturday night massacre in Boston, Dombrowski called Cora to try bringing him to the Phillies. The two won a championship together in Boston in 2018 and have a close relationship. But Cora ultimately declined, at least for now, wanting to take some time away with his family.

It was after this series of events that Dombrowski turned to Mattingly, who made third-base coach Dusty Wathan his bench coach and promoted Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Anthony Contreras to fill Wathan’s previous role.

Dombrowski said he never considered replacing any of the coaching staff himself — which seems difficult to fathom — and left it up to Mattingly.

“He was very supportive of the coaching staff. He wanted to keep the coaching staff together,” Dombrowski said.

Mattingly concurred: “I have confidence in everyone in there,” he said.

The Phillies, with a $311 million payroll, entered the homestand against the Giants 28th in the majors in runs (102), 29th in batting average (.219), 29th in on-base percentage (.294), 27th in slugging (.362), last in productive-out percentage (19.4) and tied for 20th in stolen bases (11).

They were also last in starter ERA (5.80), 26th in team WHIP (1.47) and 29th in opponents’ batting average (.280).

The offensive issues have been the most glaring, not only this year but in recent postseasons. Yet hitting coach Kevin Long — with whom many players, including Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, have longstanding relationships — has been immune to staffing changes. He’s another former Yankee, for whom Aaron Judge and Alex Rodriguez have strongly advocated.

“Kevin Long, if you ask around the big leagues, is one of the best hitting coaches in baseball. Has been for a long time,” Mattingly said. “We’ve had multiple issues. It’s not just hitting. We need to play better baseball. Pretty much as simple as that.

“I really like the continuity of the staff, and I want to keep it like that.

“If you truly look in the mirror, this club, with the talent we have, we know we haven’t performed to what we’re capable of. I know how good these guys are, and we just have to go prove that. We can talk about it all we want, and we can put things on paper all we want, but we have to go play.”

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/3wc9rm9y

The Eagles didn’t just draft for the future. They made a win-now move.

With the trade for Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, Philadelphia addressed an immediate need on defense while using its early picks to reshape the offense.

The 28-year-old Greenard said the opportunity to join a championship contender appealed to him.

“When you walk in the building and see Lombardi Trophies sitting there, you know what the standard is,” Greenard said. “That’s the kind of place you want to be.”

Greenard arrived from the Minnesota Vikings after a complicated offseason there. Minnesota faced a salary-cap crunch and the veteran pass rusher was seeking a clearer long-term situation. The Eagles sent a compensatory third-round pick and a future third-rounder to acquire him, then signed him to a four-year extension worth $100 million with $50 million guaranteed.

Greenard played just 12 games in 2025 because of a shoulder injury, finishing with three sacks after racking up 12 a year earlier and 12.5 with Houston in 2023. But even when he was injured, he said he battled through.

“I still feel like I rushed well,” Greenard said. “I was still getting back there. I feel like my moves didn’t drop off at all. I always tell myself, listen, the day somebody’s got to tell me to get to the quarterback, that’s when I’ll need to hang it up. Outside of that, if my issue is wrapping a guy up, I promise I’ll be in a good spot.”

The Eagles’ broader strategy revealed a desire to give quarterback Jalen Hurts more help in the passing game as Sean Mannion takes over as offensive coordinator.

Philadelphia’s first two selections focused on pass catchers — signaling A.J. Brown’s impending exit — with USC receiver Makai Lemon in the first round and hybrid tight end Eli Stowers in the second.

Both players like to work over the middle — a place Hurts is often hesitant to throw — but it will be part of Mannion’s system, along with more snaps under center, more play action, more motion, and timing routes in which Hurts will have to release the ball quickly.

Lemon and Wicks will join wideout DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert, plus recently added receivers Dontayvion Wicks, who was Green Bay’s No. 3, and Hollywood Brown.

The Eagles also reinforced the offensive line by tapping tackle Markell Bell of Miami in the third round and Georgia guard Micah Morris in the sixth.

So Hurts ostensibly has plenty of support. The challenge is on him now.

Coach Nick Sirianni said the offense is in the early stages of evolving, since offseason workouts only just begun, but he expects it to look different this fall.

“We’re always looking for ways to stress defenses,” he said. “Guys who can move around, play multiple spots and create mismatches are really valuable.”

The strategy reflects an effort to diversify Hurts’ options. While he has thrived attacking the perimeter, his inconsistency when working the middle of the field has been an issue. Players like Lemon and Stowers could help change that by creating easier throwing windows inside.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

The Morning Call: https://tinyurl.com/3mr38t8s

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles spent the first two days of the NFL draft hunting immediate impact. Day 3 was about something else: upside, depth and long-term development.

Philadelphia wrapped up the draft Saturday by reinforcing the offensive line and adding several late-round defensive projects. But the headliner was the surprising selection of another dual-threat quarterback from North Dakota State — Cole Payton — 10 years after they drafted Carson Wentz as the second overall pick.

The Eagles opted for the 6-foot-3. 232-pound Payton in the fifth round (No. 178 overall). In 13 starts with the Bison last year, he rushed for 777 yds on 136 attempts. He also completed 162 of 225 passes (72%) for 2,719 yds and 16 touchdowns with just one interception.

It was a curious move considering the Eagles still believe in Tanner McKee, 25, who backed up Jalen Hurts last season, and that they recently acquired 38-year-old Andy Dalton.

“We just felt that this was a player that we wanted to take based on the way the board fell,” general manager Howie Roseman said. “When you’re sitting there and a player that you like — regardless of position — is sitting there, you don’t want to pass on him.

“Really, really athletic. Really good with the ball in his hands in the quarterback run game. Made great decisions with the football. Accurate passer. … But there are some wild plays on his tape that are really impressive. I think I charted four times he jumps over somebody or wrote down a bunch of times, ‘He’s the best player on the field.’”

The GM said Payton was the top remaining player on the Eagles’ draft board in that slot, adding he’s not opposed to keeping four QBs on the roster.

“We’re open to carrying four quarterbacks, for sure,” Roseman said. “If you talk about it being the most important position in sports and you have four good ones, why wouldn’t you keep ‘em?”

The 23-year-old Payton — a left-handed thrower — was the 2020 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Westside High School in Omaha. He received interest from Iowa State and University of Nebraska, but neither program offered him a scholarship.

He was a backup in college until 2025. In a Zoom conference with reporters in Philadelphia, he discussed what it was like to wait his turn.

“It was tough,” Payton said. “It wasn’t easy, for sure, being the competitor I am. I just love football. … People asked, why didn’t you transfer? It was because I believed in NDSU — the pro-style offense, the fact that they’ve sent so many guys to the NFL. I felt, looking ahead, that I had one year and I was gonna make the most of that one year.

“I’m just so excited to be an Eagle and get to work and compete and improve and learn and grow.”

Payton, who received scholarship offers to play basketball out of high school, turned heads during the football pre-draft process. He ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and posted a 40-inch vertical leap — rare numbers for a quarterback his size.

“He’s a really tough football player,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “You see it when he runs, when he finishes runs, when he competes. And obviously he’s got the arm talent and the athleticism that give you a lot to work with.”

O-line depth

The Eagles continued to invest in the trenches by selecting Georgia guard Micah Morris in the sixth round.

At 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, Morris brings size and versatility after playing both guard positions (and some tackle) for the Bulldogs.

The Eagles have long prioritized building offensive line depth through the draft, and Morris fits that model as a developmental interior lineman who could compete for a backup role early in his career.

International intrigue

An intriguing move came late in the seventh round at No. 251, when the Eagles took Nigerian-born defensive lineman Uar Bernard.

Bernard, 21, has never played organized football but impressed scouts with extraordinary athletic traits during the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.

“We wanted to take a chance on the kid,” Roseman said.

Bernard is 6-4, 306 with just 6% body fat. During the pre-draft process, he displayed a 4.63 40, a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot-10 broad jump.”

“Obviously, he has a lot of tools in his body,” Roseman said. “We understand it’s going to take time. It’s going to take a lot of time here. But it’s pretty cool. We spend a lot of time talking about ‘unusual,’ and there’s certainly unusual with that guy.”

The Eagles have previously found success with international players, most notably Australian rugby convert Jordan Mailata, who developed into a Pro Bowl left tackle.

“It’s a dream come true for me because I’ve worked hard for this,” Bernard, wrapped in a Nigerian flag, said in a Zoom conference. “I’ve not played football before but I’ve gone through some drills that made me believe I’m going to get better every day. I appreciate God, thank God for everything. Thank God for life, thank God for the opportunity he’s given me to be drafted by the Eagles.”

Answer at safety? More edge help

The Eagles, who chose not to re-sign safety Reed Blankenship, drafted safety Cole Wisniewski (6-4, 220) in the seventh round out of Texas Tech. He’s a physical player who makes lots of plays around the line of scrimmage.

Last season with the Red Raiders — who went 12-2 and reached the Orange Bowl — Wisniewski rang up 78 tackles (38 solo, six TFL), six passes defended, two forced fumbles and a sack. Taken at No. 244, the 24-year-old could be a long shot, but Blankenship was an undrafted free agent four years ago.

The Eagles used their final pick to select New Mexico edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby.

James-Newby led the Lobos with 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks in 2025 and earned attention from scouts for his burst and relentless motor. At 6-1, 240, he’s undersized compared to many NFL edge rushers, but his production and energy could translate into a situational pass-rush role if he performs well in camp.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/3xvnxbhd

PHILADELPHIA — Howie Roseman struck again.

The Eagles general manager traded for Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings in a splashy move Friday night, Day 2 of the NFL draft.

Philadelphia sent its compensatory third-round pick (No. 98 overall) and a 2027 third-rounder to Minnesota for Greenard and a Saturday seventh-rounder (No. 244).

The Eagles also inked the 28-year-old Greenard — who was already in Philadelphia — to a four-year, $100 million extension that includes $50 million guaranteed.

The deal overshadowed the Birds’ second-round selection of Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers — an explosive and versatile player who can cause havoc for defenses. They later took offensive tackle Markel Bell from the University of Miami.

Greenard fills a need after the departure of Jaelen Phillips and immediately bolsters a defensive front that remains a foundation of the team’s roster construction.

“What you see is a relentless player with physical tools, Roseman said. “He can win in multiple ways. He is hard to block. I know when we play Minnesota, we are worried about where he is at all times.”

“We just felt like we had a really good D-line but we wanted to elevate it to another level.

Greenard has been one of the league’s more disruptive pass rushers when healthy. He recorded back-to-back double-digit sack seasons with the Houston Texans in 2023 and the Vikings in 2024 before an injury-shortened 2025 season. Over the past two full seasons he totaled 24.5 sacks, showing the kind of consistent pressure the Eagles covet along the edge.

For Roseman, the opportunity to add a proven veteran during the draft — rather than simply relying on rookie development — was too good to pass up.

“I think when you’re talking about improving your team, you’re always looking at all avenues,” Roseman said. “For us, this was a chance to add a really good football player who fits how we want to play.”

The trade continued Roseman’s long-standing philosophy of building through the trenches. The Eagles have invested heavily in their defensive front in recent years, rotating waves of pass rushers in an effort to keep pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

“This guy plays the game the way you want it played,” coach Sirianni said. “Relentless effort, toughness, the ability to affect the quarterback. When you add players like that to your defensive line, it raises the level of the entire defense.”

After undergoing a physical and finalizing his contract, Greenard attended the Sixers playoff game against the Celtics with Eagles security chief Dom DiSandro. Before the game, the Birds’ first-round pick, Makai Lemon, rang the bell in front of a raucous crowd.

While the Greenard deal received most of the spotlight, Roseman and the Eagles feel good about the additions of Stowers and Bell.

New tight end

Philadelphia selected Stowers with the 54th overall pick in the second round. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound Stowers, 23, is a former quarterback who converted to tight end and developed into one of the SEC’s most effective offensive weapons.

He was named All-SEC the past two seasons after emerging as a matchup problem for defenses. Last year he won the John Mackey Award for college football’s most outstanding tight end.

In 12 games last season at Vanderbilt (10-3), Stowers caught 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns. He brings a hybrid blend — part tight end, part split-out receiver — and is a natural successor to Dallas Goedert, who’s on a one-year contract.

In the meantime, the Eagles can run a variety of two-tight end sets in Sean Mannion’s incarnation of the West Coast offense, which will challenge Jalen Hurts to operate under center and throw over the middle more often.

Stowers — who has 4.51 speed and an incredible 45.5-inch vertical — succeeds against both man-to-man and zone coverage.

“We just felt like he brings a really unique skill set to our offense,” Roseman said. “He’s a big target, he’s athletic, and he’s a competitive player. Those are things we value.”

A mammoth tackle

In the third round at No. 68 overall, the Eagles took Bell — listed at 6-foot-9, 346 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan. He exclusively played left tackle for the Hurricanes, but Roseman and the Eagles see him as an ascending player with versatile potential.

In the short term, Bell provides immediate depth. He’ll learn behind Lane Johnson — who might retire after this season — and Jordan Mailata.

“Markel Bell was a passion player for us throughout the process,” Roseman said. “Obviously, unusual size, unusual length, hard to find. But really when you watch the tape, he is hard to get around in pass pro. He had zero quarterback sacks allowed this year playing for the University of Miami.”

In 558 pass-protection snaps in 2025, Bell didn’t allow a sack as the Hurricanes went all the way to the national title game against Indiana.

“Offensive line is always going to be a priority for us,” Sirianni said. “You can’t have enough good linemen, and we think Markel has a chance to grow into a really good player.”

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.