Category: Eagles/NFL

With Eagles training camp drawing nearer, The Inquirer is taking a closer look at the more than three dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28.

Player: Markel Bell

Position: OT

Age: 22 (when camp starts)

Previous experience: Bell’s lone season as a full-time starter was this past one, when the 6-foot-9, 346-pound offensive tackle helped Miami reach the national title game. Bell is sort of a late bloomer. He started playing football in seventh grade. In part because he grew up in a small town in Mississippi, he was a zero-star high school recruit who went to junior college before blossoming into one of the most sought-after offensive line prospects two years later.

Bell was a rotational tackle in 2024 before earning the left tackle gig at Miami last year. He dominated. He did not surrender a sack while playing more than 1,000 snaps. He also was named second-team Academic All-America last season.

Path to a roster spot: Bell’s spot on the 53 is not in doubt. Surprisingly, it was Bell taking first-team reps during OTAs (with Lane Johnson absent) and not Fred Johnson, the swing tackle the Eagles brought back for another season. Sure, OTA reps are relatively meaningless, but it’s a sign the Eagles think Bell possibly could step in right away to that swing tackle role. We’ll see where things stand come training camp, but given recent injuries over the last few years to Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, Bell could see meaningful snaps as soon as 2026.

Fun fact: Bell grew from 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-4 during a summer growth spurt between eighth and ninth grades, according to The Athletic.

Quotable: “Typically when you get guys out of high school and they come in the door, they’re not as driven or as focused,” Les George, Bell’s offensive line coach at Holmes Community College, told The Inquirer in April. “They kind of have an idea of what they want to accomplish just based off of what they see on social media or see other people accomplish and they’ll kind of be all-in with it, but Markel was different than any other guy I’ve coached. Extremely focused, very humble. He was a guy that didn’t want to settle for mediocrity.

“I don’t know how to explain it. He’ll make you a better coach.”

Player: Joshua Weru

Position: Edge rusher

Age: 22

Previous experience: Football experience? None. Rugby experience? Plenty. Jordan Mailata proved that path is possible. The Eagles signed Weru after he went undrafted. He is one of two players on the training camp roster who come with International Pathway Player designations, the other being seventh-round pick Uar Bernard.

Weru, a native of Kenya, attended Arizona State University last year. He showed off his athleticism at the International Player Pathway program pro day, where he ran a 4.45 40-yard dash (with 1.59 10-yard split) and had a 41.5-inch vertical and 11-2 broad jump. The Eagles are hoping those traits translate into an edge rusher capable of playing NFL snaps.

Path to a roster spot: Nothing is impossible, but Weru’s chances of making the 53-man are long. The Eagles are a bit crowded on the edge, with four shoo-ins and a few players with real football experience pushing for the bottom of the depth chart. Weru, however, will have a chance to make a good first impression on the Eagles and show them why he’s worth carrying on the practice squad while they continue to mold him into a football player.

NFL teams can carry 16 players on the practice squad and have a 17th spot available for players with IPP designations. Bernard seems more likely than Weru to make the 53-man roster, but there’s a world where both of them end up on the practice squad after passing through waivers. One would count toward the normal 16-player practice squad roster, and the other would be the IPP designation.

Fun fact: Weru joined a professional rugby club at age 14 and has represented the Kenyan national team on the international stage.

Quotable: “I’d say my playing style is fast and aggressive,” Weru told a Kenyan radio station. “One of the reasons I enjoy this game is that it’s 100% all the time. I was used to rugby, where the game was longer and it would be too tiring to go 100% every single phase. But in football, especially in the few times we’ve gone full contact, it’s nothing like that.

“The way I think about it is that you’re like a sprinter and a boxer at the same time, you’re going full speed and trying to hit people as hard as possible. I enjoy that, and that’s how I’d describe my playing style: fast and aggressive.”

Between four events this past weekend, including one where Jason Kelce drank beer from a prosthetic leg, Kelce’s Team 62 broke its own fundraising record for the sixth year in a row.

Raising $1.26 million for the Eagles Autism Foundation, the events that were held at Ocean Drive in Sea Isle City on June 24-25 saw another year of huge crowds. This year, efforts stretched beyond the bar, with an online auction, beer bowl, and a family-friendly park takeover complete with an all-abilities sports clinic, and a silent disco.

Since 2021, Team 62 — the name an homage to Jason Kelce’s Eagles jersey number — has expanded from a single celebrity bartending event to a multiday affair that has raised more than $3.69 million for the Eagles Autism Foundation.

“We are beyond thankful for everyone’s support and generosity in setting a Team 62 fundraising record,” Jason and Kylie Kelce said in a statement. “While we are certainly humbled by the overwhelming success this year, it’s not surprising when you’re surrounded by such an incredible group of people.”

The Eagles Autism Foundation was founded in 2019, and has raised over $56 million. The proceeds go toward funding more than 223 research projects and community grants worldwide. The Eagles efforts were recognized Tuesday when ESPN announced that team owner Jeffrey Lurie will be recognized with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, acknowledging his philanthropy in connection with autism awareness.

The Kelces have taken part in not only the Team 62 event but the annual Eagles Autism Challenge as well.

“Jason and Kylie Kelce have always been incredible ambassadors for the Eagles Autism Foundation,” Ryan Hammond, the foundation’s executive director, said in a statement. “It is their passion, creative vision, and drive that have transformed this annual fundraiser into one of our biggest events.”

The Kelces certainly know how to fundraise with style, recruiting friends in their celebrity network to sling beers and serve gelatin shots. Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, rugby star Ilona Maher, and more brought multiple fan bases to the Jersey Shore bar.

“The growth of this event all starts with our good friends at the Ocean Drive enthusiastically leaning into this idea of ours back in 2021,” the Kelces said in a statement. “Six years later, we now stand here amazed at what we’ve accomplished for the autism community. A special thank you also goes out to the Eagles organization, the incredible town of Sea Isle City, and most importantly, the best fans in the world for always showing up and supporting such a worthy cause.”

And show up they did, raising $1.26 million in just 36 hours, between tickets, donations, drink sales.

With Eagles training camp drawing nearer on the horizon, The Inquirer is taking a closer look at the more than three dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28. Whether a 2026 draft choice, a veteran addition, or a rookie free-agent hopeful, we’re telling you more about each player’s potential role this season. We’re rolling out two players per day in a mostly unscientific order that balances offense and defense, bigger names with mysteries, and locks with longer shots to be chosen for the 53-man roster.

Player: Elijah Moore

Position: Wide receiver

Age: 26

Previous experience: Moore was taken three spots ahead of Landon Dickerson in the 2021 draft. He went to the New York Jets in the second round, No. 34 overall, after three seasons at Ole Miss. His rookie year arguably was the best of his NFL career, when he posted a career-high five touchdowns and 538 yards on 43 receptions in 11 games (six starts).

During his second season with the Jets, Moore reportedly requested a trade over his lack of involvement in the offense. But he remained on the team until March 2023, when he was traded to the Cleveland Browns. He posted a career high in receiving yards that season with 640 and two touchdowns on 59 receptions through 17 games (12 starts).

Moore played for the Browns for two seasons before signing with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent last year. He played nine games (two starts) and had nine receptions for 112 yards, plus six carries for 24 yards and a touchdown, before he was released in November.

Moore finished the season on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad and was elevated to the game day roster for the AFC championship game. The 5-foot-10, 178-pound receiver signed a one-year, $1.32 million contract with the Eagles in March.

Path to a roster spot: Moore is a potential wide receiver depth option. The Eagles have a clear-cut top four receivers in DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, and Hollywood Brown, but they could carry at least another receiver or two on the active roster. Moore will compete in training camp for one of those depth roles, along with Darius Cooper and Johnny Wilson.

Moore’s experience sets him apart, especially as he vies for a role on a team in need of playmakers in the absence of A.J. Brown, his former college teammate and roommate. He still can show up in key moments and displayed his versatility on his second career rushing touchdown last season when he motioned out of the slot and took the handoff for a 4-yard score against the Jets. Earlier in that game, he also had a 31-yard catch-and-run reception on third-and-long.

Fun fact: In just eight games in 2020, Moore broke Brown’s single-season record at Ole Miss for receptions by one catch with 86. Moore accumulated 1,193 yards that season, 127 short of Brown’s total in 12 games in 2018. In his record-setting season, Moore led the nation with 149.1 receiving yards per game and 10.8 receptions per game.

Quotable: “I think he’s so sudden in and out of cuts. I think that he can play inside and play outside and have that versatility for us. Smart guy. He knows his stuff. And he’s a fun guy to be around, too.” — Bills quarterback Josh Allen on Moore in July 2025

Player: Dameon Pierce

Position: Running back

Age: 26

Previous experience: Pierce brings four years of NFL experience to the Eagles. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Florida. Pierce spent more than three seasons with the Texans, highlighted by his rookie year, when he started 13 games and rushed for 939 yards and four touchdowns on 220 carries.

An ankle injury ended his rookie campaign prematurely. Pierce fell down the depth chart in subsequent seasons and served as a depth running back and kick returner. In 2023, Pierce returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns.

Houston released Pierce in November 2025. He landed with the Kansas City Chiefs and appeared in one game. Last season, he took just 14 handoffs total and rushed for 36 yards. Pierce’s days as a full-time starter likely are behind him, but the Eagles could represent an opportunity for him to carve out a contributing role.

Path to a roster spot: Special teams and running back depth. With Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby locks to make the initial roster, Pierce will compete with Will Shipley and Elijah Mitchell for the third running back spot. As the incumbent, Shipley has a leg up, but training camp will provide an opportunity for the three players to compete for the role, with the consolation prize being a chance at making the practice squad.

Pierce could have an advantage over Mitchell, given his kick return experience. He has averaged 32.8 yards per return over the last three seasons. However, on four returns with Houston in 2025, Pierce averaged 23 yards per return.

Fun fact: Pierce told the Texans in 2022 that if he could go pro in another sport, he would choose pie eating. Tastykake, here’s your next spokesperson.

Quotable: “I’m still learning. Coming into this year, I just look at it as, I got four years of experience on my side. I take every up and down in my career as a collective and just look at it and try to learn how to get better from it. Coming to Philly is just another step in my journey that I’m looking forward to. At the end of the day, man, I just want to play ball, and Philly gave me a great opportunity to do so.” — Pierce in March

Eight years ago, at the inaugural Eagles Autism Challenge, team owner Jeffrey Lurie called the family-friendly bike ride that raised money for autism research and programs “a call to action” and “one giant step.”

The event had more than 3,000 participants and raised more than $2.5 million. Eight years later, the combined efforts of the Lurie Autism Institute — launched last year with a $50 million donation from the Lurie family — and the Eagles Autism Foundation have collectively contributed to more than $100 million toward research and clinical care programs around the world.

This year’s Eagles Autism Challenge raised more than $16 million through nearly 40,000 donations and more than 6,500 participants, according to the team.

Lurie, 74, bought the Eagles in 1994. He has lifted the Lombardi Trophy twice after two Super Bowl victories, but his efforts to support autism research and care may be the larger lasting legacy of his tenure.

On Tuesday, ESPN announced that Lurie will be honored with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award as part of this year’s Sports Humanitarian Awards during ESPYs award week. The award, named after the late SportsCenter anchor, is given to someone that uses the power of sports to help disadvantaged groups or people.

“This honor exemplifies the transformative power of sport and the life-changing impact it can have on people,” Lurie said in a press release. “Stuart was a trailblazer whose legacy was built on integrity, professionalism, and bravery. His authentic character and fearlessness in the face of adversity will live on forever through this distinguished award.

“I have always envisioned that the impact of owning a professional sports franchise could extend beyond the field and into the global health community. The Eagles Autism Foundation and Lurie Autism Institute have been created to support individuals with autism and their families by funding innovative and potentially groundbreaking research rooted in science and data, in addition to providing programming and services to those in need. Autism is a global condition that is not only underfunded and under-researched, but just in the United States alone affects one in 31 children.”

The Sports Humanitarian Awards will take place on Tuesday, July 14 in New York. The show will be featured during ESPN programming and during the ESPYS, which air July 15 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Lurie is the lone representative of Philadelphia’s sports teams this year in both the humanitarian awards and the main ESPYs program. The full list of humanitarian award winners can be found here. Nominees for the ESPYs can be found here. South Jersey’s Hannah Hidalgo, a guard at Notre Dame, is nominated for best single-game performance for her record-breaking 16-steal game against Akron.

With Eagles training camp drawing nearer on the horizon, The Inquirer is taking a closer look at the more than three-dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28. Whether a 2026 draft choice, a veteran addition, or a rookie free-agent hopeful, we’re telling you more about each player’s potential role this season. We’re rolling out two players per day in a mostly unscientific order that balances offense and defense, bigger names with mysteries, and locks with longer shots to be chosen for the 53-man roster.

Player: Arnold Ebiketie

Position: Linebacker

Age: 27

Previous experience: Ebiketie has four years of NFL experience, and his football journey began at two local schools. The native of Cameroon played linebacker at Temple from 2017 to 2020 before transferring to Penn State for his senior year. Ebiketie began his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, the team that selected him in the second round, 38th overall in the 2022 draft.

Ebiketie started 12 of 67 games played over four seasons with the Falcons. In total, he has 16.5 career sacks and 129 tackles. His best season came in 2022, when he logged 6.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and 38 tackles.

The Eagles signed him in March to a one-year, $7.3 million contract, including $4.3 million fully guaranteed.

Path to a roster spot: While the news didn’t exactly dominate headlines, Ebiketie could be a sneaky good signing for the Birds. Yes, their defensive front is loaded, but Ebiketie projects to be a decent rotational piece/situational edge rusher who will generate pressure, especially under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s guidance.

Despite a limited role in Atlanta, Ebiketie still managed to post 24 solo tackles, which ranked 45th among 115 eligible edge rushers last season. If he takes advantage of every snap, he could be another diamond-in-the-rough signing by Howie Roseman.

Fun fact: The Cameroonian Ebiketie did not play organized football until high school. He initially focused on soccer and basketball when he emigrated to the United States at age 13, until his high school basketball coach challenged him to give football a try. “He made a joke like, ‘Are you scared?’ So, that got me,” Ebiketie said via the Eagles’ website. “I’m competitive. I wanted to prove him wrong. After that, I liked it.”

Quotable: “The fans in this city and the Eagles, it goes hand in hand. Everything is about the Eagles. I saw that at Temple. Everything matters to them. I’m here and I know it’s fast-paced and very, very important. This is a championship culture. That is the standard here. I embrace that. I want that and I know it’s going to help bring out the best in me.” — Ebiketie to the Eagles’ website.

Player: Jaeden Roberts

Position: Guard

Age: 23

Previous experience: Roberts is an undrafted free agent who played college ball for Alabama. He started 12 games at right guard for the Crimson Tide in 2024 and was a projected star in 2025 before an August concussion turned him from guaranteed starter to rotational guard. He started just four games in his final season, playing in 10 overall.

Roberts was a preseason All-American and named to the Outland Trophy Watch List before the season.

Path to a roster spot: If he’s going to make the roster, Roberts will need to prove that last season was a fluke. He has tremendous strength and a massive frame, but he’ll need to combine that with sound technique if he wants to earn a spot after going undrafted.

The Eagles have plenty of fringe offensive linemen who are trying to carve out a role. Names like Tyler Steen, Michael Jordan, Micah Morris, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, and Jake Majors will all enter camp motivated to win jobs. Roberts will need to somehow separate himself from that bunch.

Fun fact: Let’s talk about Roberts’ strength for a second. The 23-year-old earned a spot on The Athletic’s “Freaks List“ two years in a row thanks to some impressive weight room accomplishments. The 6-foot-5, 333-pound lineman can squat over 800 pounds and power clean 415 pounds. Not too shabby.

Quotable: “Just being consistent,” Roberts said when he was asked how he could get on the field more amid a position battle at Alabama last season, via AL.com. “I know I’ve been missing practice time, I have been talking to the coaches and just working on the details that I need to improve on, and consistency is one thing that I think I’ve really improved on.”

With Eagles training camp drawing nearer on the horizon, The Inquirer is taking a closer look at the more than three-dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28. Whether a 2026 draft choice, a veteran addition or a rookie free-agent hopeful, we’re telling you more about each player’s potential role this season. We’re rolling out two players per day in a mostly unscientific order that balances offense and defense, bigger names with mysteries, and locks with longer shots to be chosen for the 53-man roster.

Player: Andy Dalton

Position: Quarterback

Age: 38

Previous experience: Dalton has the most NFL experience on the 2026 Eagles — unless Brandon Graham returns. The veteran quarterback is going into his 16th NFL season. Dalton began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, the team that drafted him in the second round, 35th overall in the 2011 draft out of TCU.

He started 133 games over nine seasons with the Bengals and reached the playoffs in five straight years (2011-15). Although Dalton was successful during the regular season, the three-time Pro Bowler has not won a postseason game in his career.

The Bengals eventually moved on from Dalton in favor of 2020 first-overall pick Joe Burrow, marking the beginning of the veteran’s journeyman career. Dalton has spent time primarily as a backup with the Dallas Cowboys (2020), the Chicago Bears (2021), the New Orleans Saints (2022), and the Carolina Panthers (2023-25).

He has started 36 games since 2020 (14 wins, 22 losses), completing 65.1% of his passing attempts while throwing 50 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. In his seven starts over the last three seasons with the Panthers (one win, six losses), Dalton completed 64.7% of his passes, throwing 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Path to a roster spot: Seeing as the Eagles tend to carry three quarterbacks on the active roster, Dalton is essentially a lock to make the team out of training camp. But in the aftermath of the offseason program, bigger questions linger about his role on the team.

Dalton and Tanner McKee split reps with the second-team offense behind Jalen Hurts, while Nick Sirianni did not commit to McKee as the backup for the upcoming season. Could Dalton have a chance to usurp the incumbent McKee for the QB2 role in training camp? And does Dalton’s contention for the job indicate that McKee could be a candidate for a trade ahead of the start of the regular season?

Alternatively, if teams aren’t willing to take a chance on the inexperienced McKee (who has started just two games over the last two seasons), could Dalton eventually be on the move before the November trade deadline? The Eagles seem to have options with their depth quarterbacks depending on their preseason performances and the team’s start to the season.

Fun fact: In addition to having zero career playoff wins, Dalton has thrown just one touchdown pass in the postseason. His lone passing touchdown — a 4-yard completion to tight end Jermaine Gresham — came in the Bengals’ 27-10 wild-card loss to the San Diego Chargers during the 2013 season.

Since 1970, 83 quarterbacks have played at least 10 NFL seasons and started at least four playoff games, according to Stathead. Dalton has the fewest passing touchdowns in the postseason among them.

Quotable: “Any time you’ve got a guy that’s got experience, different types of experiences, you lean on that. Having a relationship with him, I was with him in Carolina, so being with him prior, [I] knew that he had that wealth of knowledge, that he’s open to helping other guys as well … he’s a great resource for all of us to be able to lean on, just a guy that’s played a lot in the NFL successfully.” — Eagles quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier on Dalton

Player: Kapena Gushiken

Position: Defensive back

Age: 23

Previous experience: As an undersized defensive back at 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, Gushiken wasn’t highly recruited coming out of high school in Maui, Hawaii, according to The Seattle Times. But his coach at Kamehameha High School knew the coach at Saddleback College, a community college located in Mission Viejo, Calif, a connection that would lead to the first stop in his college football career.

He spent two years at Saddleback and became a starter in his second season. As a sophomore, Gushiken posted 22 tackles (one for a loss), six pass breakups, one interception, and one forced fumble in nine games. His strong JUCO performance earned him opportunities at the Division I level, first at Washington State (2023-24) and then at Ole Miss (2025).

Through 40 games (28 starts) over his final three seasons, Gushiken racked up 143 tackles (5½ for a loss), 20 pass breakups, four interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), two fumble recoveries, and a sack. Gushiken has played every spot in the secondary, from outside cornerback at Saddleback to nickel cornerback at Washington State to safety at Ole Miss.

Gushiken, now listed at 5-9, 189 pounds, signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent this offseason.

Path to a roster spot: Special teams and safety depth. Gushiken is a long shot to make the initial 53-man roster, but he has a chance to carve out a role on the team, especially on the practice squad. Still, in May, Vic Fangio called the starting safety spot vacated by Reed Blankenship “open,” acknowledging that Marcus Epps, Michael Carter, Andrè Sam, J.T. Gray, and “Gush” will each get a look in the competition when the Eagles are in nickel. Cooper DeJean will start at safety alongside Drew Mukuba in base.

Special teams will be Gushiken’s most likely path to a role on the Eagles in 2026. His overall athleticism, as evidenced by his 4.35 40-yard dash at his pro day, makes him a strong candidate for the unit.

Fun fact: In high school, Gushiken lettered in football, track, volleyball, and basketball. As a junior in 2019, he ran a personal best of 11.17 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Track and Field Championship.

Quotable: “He’s really versatile. He can play a bunch of spots, a really savvy player. Hoping he can be [former Ole Miss safety] Trey Washington-ish for us. He’s really smart. So it’s really good to have him.” — former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin on Gushiken, via 24/7 Sports.