‘Same Standard’

PHILADELPHIA — On a team that doesn’t roster two of the NFL’s seven highest-paid defensive linemen, and another also awaiting a lucrative payday, Eagles defensive tackle Byron Young wouldn’t be so obsolete.

Playing behind Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo can have that effect.

But even sharing a room with some of the premier players at his position hasn’t curbed Young’s flair for efficiency with the opportunities he does get. And if his recent training camp offerings are of any indication, it’s reasonable to expect an even better version of Young in 2026.

His place in the pecking order hasn’t changed and something  would likely have to go awry for Young to exceed his 338-snap total from a season ago. But Young, who by his own admission arrived in Philadelphia this summer in better shape, doesn’t subscribe to the notion of feeling shortchanged.

He doesn’t allow the varied nature of his role to influence his confidence.

“I know the situation I’m in with two of the highest paid defensive linemen in the NFL, two of the best guys,” he said this week. “And really three of them, because Moro is just as good as them, in my opinion. And so, I understand that those guys are going to get a lot of reps when the game comes.

“But when my time comes, I hold myself to the same standard as them, just like everybody else on the defense does. So, knowing that I’m in the room with those guys and competing with those guys every single day to get better, that just makes me more confident.”

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Byron Young is stuck behind three very talented players at his DT spot, but he’s an important depth piece.

That confidence, Young said, is derived from the work that’s being put forth. Daily deposits. And while that’s certainly manifested through 10 training practices, the foundation of Young’s preparation ahead of his fourth season was established much earlier.

Young spent the offseason in Texas, where he trained out of Exos, a sports performance and physical therapy facility. He invested time sharpening his pass rush tools and enhancing mobility.

Young’s training included a healthy dose of conditioning, contributing to his “losing a lot of weight.” He also hired the former chef of Eagles great Brandon Graham – Chef Z (Aziza Young) – for additional dietary improvement.

Besides the conditioning aspect, Young emphasized refining his play action conversion, an aspect that he says the new-look Eagles offense has helped hone. The offense he sees each day in practice is rooted in elements that have given the Eagles’ defense challenges in the past, with Young specifically pointing to a matchup against the Atlanta Falcons from two seasons ago.

A compelling argument can be made that Young is among the most important depth pieces on the roster. He can play multiple positions on the line and deliver productive snaps in relief of his more heralded linemates.

When injuries to both shoulders sidelined Carter for three weeks late last season, Young answered the bell, delivering 14 tackles (two for loss), 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and a fumble recovery over 74 snaps.

Young, 25, provided encouraging returns when called upon in his first season in an expanded role, so much that it allowed the Eagles to keep fourth-round rookie Ty Robinson mostly on ice.

Those developments have carried over to Young’s second full summer in Philadelphia, where he has showcased increased quickness in his get-off and advancements in his pass rush.

Still, Young is easy to overlook on a defense brimming with stars. He isn’t a mountainous space-eater nor is he prone to splash plays. He’s workmanlike and dependable, a quality that doesn’t jump off a stat sheet, but good enough to garner a positive early review from coordinator Vic Fangio.

“Good,” he said, when assessing Young’s summer to date. “He’s another guy, I think, second year here. He’s doing good and getting better.”

Young, a pending free agent after the season, admitted that two of his linemates commanding hefty deals this offseason served as motivation. The room is close-knit, offering a sense of shared elation in accomplishment.

And it won’t be long before Young, and particularly Ojomo, get their respective bites at the apple.

Motivated as he might be, however, Young isn’t wasting energy on looking too far into his future.

“It’s always motivation when you see your peers get paid, and really, your friends get paid,” he said. “It’s something that I look forward to my time coming at some point. And, you know, I’m sure Moro is looking towards the same thing. But right now, we’re focused on the season.”

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles beat reporter for InsideTheBirds.com.