Mann-datory Camp

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles on Tuesday kicked off their two-day mandatory minicamp, in a session that featured 7-on-7 and team drills (11-on-11), with special teams and situational work also incorporated. Following Wednesday’s practice, the team will break for the summer before reconvening for training camp in late July.

In terms of Tuesday’s practice report for the mandatory session, the lone player not in attendance was OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Present but not practicing were WR Makai Lemon, LB Jihaad Campbell, LB Chandler Martin, TE Grant Calcaterra, RB Carson Steele, WR Britain Covey and DB Tucker Large.

Also, DT Jalen Carter was a participant at the start but withheld from team drills, where fourth-year pro Byron Young filled in with the first team. Lemon was again a spectator as he’s mending from a hamstring injury. With roughly six weeks standing between now and training camp, the rookie will have plenty of time to heal and return to full strength.

While the offensive line was warming up, I glanced at a neighboring field, where Martin and Large engaged in some sprints under the watchful eye of a trainer.

Notes:

* Newly signed DT Zion Wilson has been issued No. 79. Short on wide receivers, the Eagles brought in four tryout players for the two-day minicamp, including Bryce Ford-Wheaton (No. 49), Brandon Hayes (No. 47) and veteran James Proche II (No. 43). Ford-Wheaton originally signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2023, appearing in 14 games in 2024.

Hayes, you may recall, was recently waived to clear room for Wilson. As for Proche II, a 2020 sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, the 29-year-old appeared in 71 career games, registering 34 receptions for 364 yards.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Veteran QB Andy Dalton throws a pass during a drill at the Eagles’ first of two mandatory camp practices of 2026.

Observations from Tuesday’s session:

* Following the ball security drill that kickstarted practice, I spent some time observing the offensive line. For starters, it was our first look at RT Lane Johnson on a football field in quite some time, but I also paid close attention to OL coach Chris Kuper, who undertakes the daunting task of replacing longtime position coach Jeff Stoutland.

Kuper is intense and engaged at all times, fixating on the details. He ramps up the tempo and seemingly leaves little space for idle time when working with his group. One of the biggest questions regarding Kuper coming in, naturally, centered on earning buy-in from established veterans who’ve only known one coach and style. Johnson cited Kuper’s playing experience as his reason for getting on board, along with talking with Vikings players for a different perspective. According to Johnson, Vikings RT Brian O’Neill said Kuper was his “favorite O-line coach he’s had since he’s been in the NFL.”

Kuper spoke this week about his approach:

“I think the right way to do it is to adjust to your players,” Kuper said. “Again, we’re teachers. Football coach – that’s what the title says. But you’re really a teacher, and you’re trying to find every way to hit every individual player the right way to get them to learn it. So that’s my goal, to get them to understand the system, the new verbiage, and then coming from a new voice in a different way. I think everyone’s going to have to adjust. So, am I adjusting? Of course I am. Because that’s how I believe you teach, you adjust to your players.”

* When the Eagles began 7-on-7s, the first-team offensive line was as expected (L-R): LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson, C Cam Jurgens, RG Tyler Steen, RT Lane Johnson.

Second team (L-R): LT Markel Bell, LG Myles Hinton, C Jake Majors, RG John Ojukwu, RT Fred Johnson.

Third team (L-R): LT Hollin Pierce, LG Jaedan Roberts, C Willie Lampkin, RG Micah Morris, RT Cameron Williams.

Note: The Eagles, at least on Tuesday, were experimenting with some cross-training. Bell had been working at RT in the absence of Johnson, while Ojukwu last week aligned at LT. Something to file away for training camp.

* I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: The Eagles are in the early stages of instituting this new-look offense. The spring has served as an introductory phase of sorts, with first-year coordinator Sean Mannion implementing his vision and learning his personnel. The tempo accelerates once training camp rolls around, but growing pains are to be expected. I thought each quarterback (Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee, Cole Payton) had reps in which they held the ball for what felt like a tick too long before letting it rip, and it lacked for explosives, but there were plenty of positives to draw from, such as a heavy dose of under-center looks and pre-snap motion.

* While Hurts put a bit too much on a deep shot to DeVonta Smith – who had slipped behind the defenders in an early 7-on-7 attempt – he delivered with a handful of notable touch passes later on. The one that immediately comes to mind was a pretty seam ball to TE E.J. Jenkins – who was on the receiving end of a near-identical throw last week from Dalton – between Andrew Mukuba and Riq Woolen. Hurts also made a quick decision to facilitate the ball to an open Elijah Moore, who had settled into a soft spot in zone in front of Mukuba. It’s worth noting that Moore had an active afternoon and seemed to take advantage of his workload. Hurts also checked it down quite a bit, with RB Saquon Barkley a frequent recipient. I’ve said this before, but it is conceivable, in this offense, to envision the Eagles incorporating the running backs more in the passing game.

* In what has become a trend, at least in the practices open to reporters, veteran Andy Dalton piloted the second unit. Dalton ripped some quality in-breakers to third-year WR Johnny Wilson, who continues to use his frame to gain positioning, but his highlight was a deep connection for a touchdown to Moore from roughly 25-30 yards out. Dalton also lofted a pass to TE Johnny Mundt in the end zone. While the pass was incomplete, third-year S Andre’ Sam was tagged with a DPI call. Later in the session, Dalton connected with WR Danny Gray, running a short drag route to the left, for the short touchdown. Gray created some distance from second-year CB Mac McWilliams. On the ensuing play, Dalton again targeted Gray, but overshot the fifth-year wideout.

* McKee delivered a handful of memorable reps, including a ball that WR Hollywood Brown managed to make grab impressively. McKee also fired a pass in to WR Samori Toure with LB Deontae Lawson defending.

* Fourth-year RB Tank Bigsby, who appears to have spent some time in the gym lifting weights during the offseason, is quick and decisive on the move. I’m curious to see if the Eagles find a way to work him into mix with greater frequency than last season, because he can certainly scoot.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offensive players are learning Sean Mannion’s scheme this spring.

* The Eagles’ defense as a unit showed well, which isn’t exactly news-breaking, considering the core group is going into its third season playing together in Vic Fangio’s defense. Still, I’ll highlight a few players in particular: LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., OLB Jalyx Hunt and CB Riq Woolen. Trotter Jr. always seems to be in position to make a play, routinely showcasing his instincts and anticipatory traits. During 7-on-7s, Trotter Jr. jumped in front of an Andy Dalton pass intended for RB Will Shipley and nearly secured the interception.

* Jalyx Hunt, who led the Eagles last season in interceptions (three), dropped into coverage and intercepted Dalton during 7-on-7s. During a situational period, Hunt also stormed into the backfield for what would have almost assuredly been a sack in a game setting. I’ve written it before in this space, and his performance Tuesday did nothing to color my perception, but I believe the third-year pro is primed for a breakthrough.

* Riq Woolen collected another pass breakup on a pass to Smith, remaining in his hip pocket. His frame is extraordinarily unique, making it challenging for pass-catchers to maneuver around him. Woolen has made plays in every practice open to the media so far, and one can’t help but envision what he could add to the Eagles’ secondary. If Woolen can remain assignment-sound and dial in on fundamentals, it’s hardly hyperbole to suggest he’s going to be a major contributor.

* Eagles punt returners on this day (remember, no Britain Covey): DB Cooper DeJean, WR Hollywood Brown, WR James Proche II.

* Another mention here, while it’s on my mind: I thought the Eagles’ second-team linebacking tandem of Chance Campbell and Smael Mondon Jr. had an active afternoon. Campbell, in particular, as he sniffed out an end around to Gray and generally provided tight second level coverage. When musing about training camp dark horses, Campbell is a name you should consider.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.