Eagles News: Philadelphia’s 2026 breakout candidate

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …

2026 NFL season: Picking breakout candidates for all 32 teams – ESPN
Philadelphia Eagles. Nolan Smith Jr., Edge. The typical breakout name at pass rusher in Philadelphia is Jalyx Hunt, and understandably so. Hunt stayed healthy throughout 2025 and has shown a penchant for timely playmaking over his two years in the pros. But on a snap-by-snap basis, Smith is right there with Hunt. He posted a 16.3% pressure rate to Hunt’s 17.3%, and his 4.7% quick pressure rate edged out Hunt’s 4.3%. Smith spent last offseason rehabbing from a torn triceps and missed time in the regular season for the same injury, so it’s fair to wonder whether he was ever at full strength in 2025. Smith is a preposterously powerful run defender for his 6-foot-2, 238-pound size, which gives him more viability on early downs than Hunt. Both are good breakout candidates, and it’s likely they contribute equally opposite new starter Jonathan Greenard. But I still weigh Smith’s rare physical traits a little heavier than Hunt’s toolbox.

ESPN rankings 2026: 3 Eagles cornerbacks earn Top 10 votes – BGN
As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continues to roll out the top positional rankings of 2026, there were several Eagles included in the Top 10 cornerbacks list. The Eagles drafted both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in 2024, and the duo quickly ascended to All-Pros in 2025. Now, as we head into the 2026 season, they both are named among the Top 10 of their position, with newcomer Riq Woolen also receiving some love from the coaches and executives who participated.

Eagles mailbag: How Howie Roseman would fare in the NBA, Uar Bernard’s roster spot – The Athletic
I don’t anticipate the Eagles keeping four quarterbacks and Uar Bernard on the roster. Whether it’s keeping three quarterbacks because of a trade or Cole Payton’s performance (or injury) in training camp/preseason, or a Bernard injury that allows the Eagles to stash him on injured reserve, it will sort itself out. I’m skeptical that the Eagles would be able to keep Bernard with the international player designation, which is essentially an extra practice squad spot. Another team might be inclined to sign him to the 53-man roster and stash him. It depends on how he looks this summer. But the Eagles showed with Jordan Mailata in 2018 and 2019 that they were not going to release a project with organizational investment, and I expect them to treat Bernard the same way. That might be a luxury spot on the roster (or a conveniently timed injury).

Eagles 2026 most important list: Zack Baun – NBCSP
If anyone thought Zack Baun’s 2024 season was a fluke, he put that to rest in 2025. Baun missed out on making a second consecutive All-Pro team in 2025 but was again named a Pro Bowler and was very good in his second season with the Eagles and under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Baun, 29, is expecting even bigger things in 2026. “I’ve grown a lot as a player, especially in this scheme,” Baun said during OTAs. “Learning where I can make plays, where are the weaknesses of the defense, who’s dropping where, who to communicate to. If communication needs to go from a safety down to an outside backer, if it’s not clear or I don’t hear it, I make sure that the D-line gets that communication. Being able to implement myself in ways that is outside of my position and my realm has really been cool.”

Eagles 2026 Training Camp Position Preview: Wide Receiver – PhiladelphiaEagles.com
Darius Cooper was the only rookie receiver—and undrafted player—to make the roster last season after Training Camp. Standing at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, the Eagles signed Cooper as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) out of Tarleton State in 2025. In his final season in college, Cooper led Division I NCAA in receiving yards with 1,450—earning first-team FCS All-American honors. Considered an underdog to make the Eagles’ roster in 2025, Cooper was a breakout star in last year’s Training Camp, quickly attracting the attention of coaches and media alike. He carried this momentum into his first preseason game with the Eagles, leading the team with 82 yards receiving and a touchdown with six catches. In 2025, the rookie appeared in 13 games for the Eagles.

Tom Brady: Receiver drama is like Real Housewives of the NFL – PFT
“We’re gonna see it again this year,” Brady said. “Who’s the next unhappy receiver? And I understand it. I mean, they want to be involved in the game, you know. And A.J. wanted to be involved — I covered a lot of those Eagles games. That passing offense isn’t — that’s not what that team’s known for. So now he’s actually going to a team where they are more known for their passing offense. So, you know, there will be maybe a little more satisfaction from him from that standpoint.” Lately, Brown hasn’t gotten much satisfaction from his NFL team. But he tried. And he tried. And he tried. And he tried. He’ll keep trying this year, in New England. And regardless of whether Brown finds it, Brady is right. There will always be an unhappy receiver, somewhere.

Von Miller seems very interested in playing for the Cowboys – Blogging The Boys
It has been a minute since we had a good rumor, but Wednesday brought a juicy one. Von Miller, NFL free agent pass rusher extraordinaire, posted an edit of himself in a Dallas Cowboys uniform to his Instagram story. You can see it here. Things like this happen all of the time when it comes to the Cowboys. They are the biggest draw in professional sports. Connecting yourself to them can be beneficial. Again, tale as old as time on some level.

NY Giants training camp: What to watch at safety – Big Blue View
Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is expected to run an aggressive scheme that employs elements of Martindale’s, and that may suit Pinnock’s athletic, attacking style. He seemed at his playmaking best when he was allowed to attack the line of scrimmage, blitzing a career-high 36 times in 2023. He blitzed only 13 times while playing for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in 2024.

Should Mauricio Pochettino Continue as USMNT Head Coach for 2030? – Stars And Stripes FC
The United States men’s national team has seen their 2026 World Cup journey come to an end, as they lost 4-1 to Belgium in Seattle on Monday evening. There will be many postmortems about how that match went down as well as looking back at the overall journey for the USMNT, which saw them win a knockout stage match for the first time since 2002 but ultimately played their worst match of the tournament against a team that beat them back in March. But, one question facing the USMNT and the United States Soccer Federation is now on the table: Will Mauricio Pochettino continue as head coach? Last week, it was reported that U.S. Soccer offered Pochettino a contract extension through the 2030 World Cup cycle. Pochettino is expected to make a decision on that contract extension now that their World Cup is done.

Ranking the eight 2026 World Cup quarterfinalists – SB Nation
The Quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are set. The Round of 16 drew to a close on Tuesday with a pair of dramatic matches. Lionel Messi and Argentina kept their hopes alive for a repeat with a thrilling comeback win over Egypt. Switzerland joined La Albiceleste later on in the day dispatching Colombia on penalties. Thankfully, fans get a chance to catch their breath on Wednesday, as the schedule goes dark for a day until the Quarterfinals kick off Thursday with a 2022 semifinal rematch between France and Morocco. That also gives us a chance to take stock of the eight teams remaining. Here they are, ranked by their chances to win the 2026 World Cup by SB Nation staff.

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