The offseason program is over, and the next time the Eagles get together at the Jefferson Health Training Complex, it will be for training camp — the official start to the 2026 NFL season.
The longest stretch of downtime around the league is right now, so it’s a good time to take stock of what we just saw during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
The workouts allowed for a first look at new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s offense and a few new key players for the Eagles, but they also left some lingering questions about the team during the break.
Here are some of the things we’re still thinking about:
How long should the probationary period be for the new-look offense?
The short answer: Longer than will probably be allowed.
Eagles fans read and watched analysis here and probably elsewhere that told them Mannion’s offense was little match for Vic Fangio’s defense during the recent practice sessions open to reporters.
Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman speak with Sean Mannion (right) during mandatory minicamp.
What’s the reaction going to be if the offense looks sloppy a few practices into camp? It’ll be an outsized one, for certain. But it shouldn’t be.
There are a few reasons why:
Fangio’s defense might be among the best in the NFL this season.
The Eagles are installing a new offense with new blocking schemes.
Jalen Hurts is taking more snaps from under center.
The Eagles are using more play action and more motion.
Football is football, and some players will say as much, but there are going to be some growing pains before the offense is firing on all cylinders.
Plus, while the focus of many will be on the play-calling and what the playbook looks like, it may all just come down to the health and force of the offensive line anyway.
That’s not what the question asked, though. How long should the probationary period be? The view here is that drawing major conclusions about Mannion’s offense won’t have enough context until at least three games into the regular season. Patience levels are personal, right?
Is it possible that the A.J. Brown trade was such a foregone conclusion that the biggest roster storyline in an otherwise pretty standard offseason program was the backup quarterback position?
Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee are splitting reps behind Hurts, Nick Sirianni says, but the coach wouldn’t commit to saying McKee is the backup quarterback, the spot on the depth chart he held last season. He doesn’t have to commit to anything in June or even July or August.
But the fact that Dalton took so many reps with the second-team offense was interesting.
Quarterbacks Andy Dalton (left) and Jalen Hurts work out during mandatory minicamp.
It’s fair to wonder if McKee will be on the roster by the time camp breaks, and the Eagles are crunching numbers to get to their initial 53-man roster. The Eagles used a fifth-round pick on quarterback Cole Payton after sending a seventh-round pick to Carolina for Dalton.
It’s hard to imagine they will keep four quarterbacks on the roster, and it’s hard to imagine them wanting to expose a fifth-round pick to waivers unless Payton has the type of uninspiring training camp sixth-round pick Kyle McCord had last year.
The guess here is that Howie Roseman is hopeful McKee puts some good play on tape in the preseason, and the Eagles get some draft value back in a trade for their 2023 sixth-round pick, who is entering the last year of his contract.
Is a quiet spring from top Eagles rookies concerning?
It shouldn’t be.
But their first three picks were hampered by injuries.
First-round pick Makai Lemon, who will be asked to contribute in a big way right away with Brown out of town, missed some time with a hamstring injury but is expected to be ready for camp. Sure, he didn’t get a ton of on-field reps, but it wasn’t like he was on an island somewhere while the Eagles were installing stuff in the meeting rooms.
Makai Lemon was bothered by a hamstring injury during minicamp.
Eli Stowers, the second-round pick out of Vanderbilt, did not stand out in early workouts despite the Eagles raving about his athletic traits after selecting the tight end at No. 54. He then wore a sleeve on his right leg during the final workout of minicamp and sat out some drills.
Markel Bell, the big tackle the Eagles took in the third round, also missed the last practice of minicamp.
As for Stowers, Sirianni continued to have a lot of good things to say about him on the last day of the spring session. The former college quarterback is still only a few seasons into playing tight end, and while the Eagles are high on him — “He has an unusual skill set at the tight end position with the matchups that he is going to be getting,” Sirianni said— they also know he has a lot of work to do.
It’s way too early to be alarmed about the rookie class.
Will there be any roster additions before training camp?
Roseman kind of answered that question just hours after the final on-field workout finished when he signed former Bills edge rusher A.J. Epenesa. That move made some more sense on Tuesday, when the Eagles placed free-agent signing Joe Tryon-Shoyinka on the reserve/retired list.
Epenesa, who was drafted one spot after Hurts in 2020, originally signed with the Browns, but that deal did not finalize after Epenesa’s physical. Edge rusher was one spot, however, where the Eagles needed some more talent for some bottom-of-the-depth-chart competition. There’s a clear trio at the top in Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, and Nolan Smith, and then there’s Arnold Ebiketie. Epenesa, who had six-plus sacks in three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024, figures to be in the mix for a roster spot.
A.J. Epenesa, seen here as a member of the Bills, is a recent addition to the pass rushing depth chart.
Where else could the Eagles upgrade?
Safety might be the only position on the team that still has some question marks. The Eagles plan to use Cooper DeJean at safety in their base defense with Quinyon Mitchell and Riq Woolen manning the outside corner spots. But that leaves around 75% of the reps next to Drew Mukuba for someone not named DeJean. Right now, it’s Marcus Epps’ spot to lose. But Epps is 30 and was available as a practice-squad addition last August.
Behind Epps is Michael Carter II, who has played mostly nickel, and J.T. Gray, another 30-year-old with mostly special teams experience. Then there’s a mix of young and unproven players.
Fangio has expressed confidence in Epps, and thinks Carter has the chops to play safety, but don’t be surprised if Roseman adds some more talent to the group before camp.
Fifty years ago, the All-Star Game came to Philadelphia as part of the country’s bicentennial celebration. Bowa was among five Phillies players in the game, and when they were introduced with the National League squad, the ovation shook Veterans Stadium.
With the Midsummer Classic set to return to town next month, Bowa, 80, joined the Phillies Extra podcastto recall Philly’s baseball summer of ’76, as well as the state of the current Phillies.
Here are a few excerpts from the conversation with the World Series-winning former Phillies shortstop. Watch the full interview below and subscribe to the Phillies Extra podcaston Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Q: When someone brings up the 1976 All-Star Game in Philadelphia, is there a specific moment or memory that comes to mind?
A: The fact that we played in our own city was unbelievable. The crowd reaction when they introduced all of us is something that you never, ever forget. With the exception of winning the ’80 World Series, that was an incredible moment for me to play in front of your hometown in your ballpark.
And looking at the cast of characters, the players on both sides — I happened to just check out the roster a couple days ago — and the American League had some good pitchers there. And the thing that stands out in my mind, you have a meeting before — it’s a lot different now, obviously; it’s more of an entertainment thing now. Back then, it was, “Hey, you better win or you’re going to be embarrassed.”
I remember Pete Rose. Mark “The Bird” Fidrych was going to pitch against us, and he was on fire. He had one of those years where he’s talking to the ball and doing all that. And three or four of us were sitting around there, and Pete says, “You know what I’m going to do? He’s going to start talking to that ball, I’m gonna hit a base hit up the middle.” … And I knew Pete was a great player, and I said, “Man, if this guy’s that good …” Sure enough, base hit, right up the middle. He’s talking to the ball, and boom. And he looked in the dugout, and he gave me like a little thumbs-up, and I went, this game must be easy for him because to call that against a pitcher that was probably the greatest pitcher at that time in the American League, it was unbelievable.
Just the reaction of the crowd, especially when they said, “And now from the Phillies,” and they introduced all of us. And if I’m not mistaken, I think there were seven Reds on that team and five Phillie guys, which at that time, those two teams were pretty good. You can throw in the Dodgers, they were really good, too. So, there were three teams there that were well represented in that game.
Cristopher Sánchez’s streak of scoreless innings ended at 50⅔ on Wednesday, the longest in franchise history.
Q: Have you ever seen anything like Cristopher Sánchez, just in terms of a transformation or the kind of growth that he’s had?
A: No, I haven’t. And when I first saw him pitch, the control was a huge issue, and now I’m watching this individual pitch now, and to me, and I know there might be some guys slighted, but he’s the best pitcher in baseball. The outs that he makes other teams get are very soft. As an infielder, as an outfielder, you’re always ready, because he doesn’t walk a lot of guys. He doesn’t run deep counts. His work ethic is off the charts. He’s a very humble individual. Hopefully, this can continue because literally right now we have two No. 1s. I mean, you talk about Sánchez and [Zack] Wheeler, and I still believe in my heart that we’re going to be in the playoffs. I know Atlanta has got a big lead and all that. I’m not even worried about that. But when we get in, and I know we’re going to get in, I wouldn’t want to face this team with the pitching staff that we have, especially in a short series, whether it’s five games, whether it’s seven games.
Sánchez is the kind of guy that you wouldn’t know if he won 20 games or if he lost 20 games. You wouldn’t know if he’s losing 8-1 or winning 1-0 . He’s a humble individual. … I wish, and I love Ranger [Suárez], [but] I wish Ranger had a little bit of Sánchez’s work ethic because I think Ranger could have attained the same type of success.
But Sánchez’s work ethic, I haven’t seen anybody — I should say this, Clayton Kershaw worked like that, and that when I watch Sánchez, I’m thinking of Clayton Kershaw, the work ethic that they put in. Hopefully this thing can continue, because right now, when we take the field and we have Wheeler or Sánchez on the mound, it’s almost like that team in ’72 when [Steve] Carlton took the mound, we knew we were going to win. And I think that’s the feeling right now when those two guys take the take the mound in Philadelphia.
Trea Turner, the reigning National League batting champion, has struggled for most of the 2026 season.
Q: If they could get Trea Turner going at the top of the order in that one or two spot, that would be a huge boost to an offense that could really use it. What do you see from Trea?
A: I expect him to be where he’s supposed to be at the end of the year. People don’t see the work he puts in. … This guy works harder than anybody out there. I think sometimes he lets his hitting affect when he goes [on the field at shortstop], not as much as he did the first year when he first came over, but when he feels he’s not helping the ballclub offensively, I think it weighs on him a little bit. I think they made a great move hitting him second.
I don’t think Trea’s the kind of guy that’s going to work pitchers and all that and look for walks. He’s one of those guys that, once he gets into his groove, I don’t care where you throw him, he’s going to get base hits. And lately he’s been coming on. I expect a good second half … I think he’s going to be fine, but he’s his own worst critic. Believe me, he wants to do well. He knows he’s disappointed the team. It seems like when Trea doesn’t get on — I know we got the big boys in [Kyle Schwarber] and [Bryce Harper] — but when Trea gets on, we’re a very good offensive ballclub. When he’s not, sometimes we have to struggle for runs.
Nothing against the other guys on the team, but Trea seems to be the guy that ignites us. And them switching the lineup a little bit lately, having Schwarber lead off, I think it might have eased his mind a little bit. But I expect big things from him moving forward, because he’s too good a hitter to be hitting what he’s hitting. To me, he’s the catalyst for our team.
The pass allowed the fan entrance into a party Philadelphia thought it would never see: a World Series celebration in the Phillies clubhouse at Veterans Stadium. And he left the champagne-soaked room with a one-of-a-kind souvenir: the jersey of the pitcher who threw the clinching pitch.
Tug McGraw simply handed the 19-year-old fan his jersey that night in 1980, shortly after he struck out Kansas City’s Willie Wilson to clinch the Phillies’ elusive crown. The fan kept the jersey in his dresser drawer, removing it only to show friends or bring to his children’s schools for show-and-tell.
It will soon find a new home as the white jersey with No. 45 on the back will be up for bidding in July at a live auction during the MLB All-Star Village at the Convention Center.
“That was the first moment of its type in the city’s history,” said Dave Hunt, the president of Hunt Auctions. “There were championships before that but not like that one. I think the Flyers would be right before it but I feel like that moment was a different type of celebration and what it did for the city. And what moment do you think of? You close your eyes and that’s it. That’s the one.”
The fan, who is remaining anonymous, was the son of an acquaintance to Ruly Carpenter, who owned the Phillies in 1980 when they won it all. He suffered a knee injury in 1978 as “a young athlete” and the Carpenters invited him to rehab at Veterans Stadium under the tutelage of Phillies trainer Gus Hoefling.
He spent time around the Phillies and became close with some of the players, allowing him to score a pass to enter the clubhouse after Game 6 of the World Series.
“He goes down into the celebration and obviously, it’s chaotic,” Hunt said. “But it settles down and Tug is one of the people he got acquainted with. He’s like ‘Here. This is for you.’”
Tug McGraw’s jersey from Game 6 of the 1980 World Series is being auctioned off in July by Hunt Auctions.
A few months ago, the man brought the jersey to Hunt Auctions, which is based in Exton. He expects the jersey to bring more than $300,000. The jersey passed the eye test as it had all the stitches and tags to match other game-worn Phillies jerseys from that era.
But they needed to make sure this was the jersey. They used a third-party photo matching company that “definitively” ruled that the jersey was worn by McGraw in Game 6. The authentication company, MeiGray, studied the alignment of the pinstripes under the left arm of McGraw’s jersey in photos and videos before ruling that images from Game 6 matched the jersey but Game 1 did not.
Tug McGraw gave his jersey to a teenager after the Phillies won the 1980 World Series. It’ll be auctioned off in July.
McGraw’s jersey is still in great condition as it rarely left the fan’s drawer.
“Frankly, thankfully,” Hunt said. “That is one unfortunate part of the world that we’re in. Many times, we’ll be presented with incredible pieces that have since deteriorated because they weren’t taken care of. This was just indiscriminately stored safely in a drawer for all these years. It’s beautiful. The condition is what you want to see. It’s not cleaned. It’s not altered. It’s not changed. But it’s also not abused or damaged.”
The jersey has been in the fan’s possession for nearly 46 years, but Hunt said the fan is not sad to part with something he cherished.
“Having worked with so many different players and their families, it’s a natural course of life that we all go through,” Hunt said. “You decide, ‘How do I want to make sure these things survive going into the future?’ This wasn’t a case of needing to sell it or anything. It just sort of naturally came to be, and here we are.”
That’s all it took for the Union to find itself on the back foot against the Columbus Crew at Subaru Park on Saturday night.
The goal, a whipping in-swinging shot from Crew forward Hugo Picard, found the upper 90 past an outstretched Andre Blake.
It was also completely avoidable.
That’s a point for down the line. The larger point is that the Union were able to salvage a point after a 69th-minute goal from forward Milan Iloski. Iloski buried a tap-in following a nice run and cross into the box from second-half substitute Augustín Anello.
It was a goal that helped to shroud an otherwise ineffective night for Iloski, whose efforts, by either poor decision making or attempted shots that were blocked in the final third, amounted to very little.
Besides Iloski’s goal, repeated dazzling runs from midfielder Cavan Sullivan — and a halftime light show — were the only points of note on what was an otherwise familiar run of form from a Union team that hasn’t celebrated a win in MLS play since April 11 against Montréal.
Speaking of Sulliva, the 16-year-old phenom was inches from becoming the hero with the last kick of the game. After lloski was fouled just outside of the box in stoppage time, Sullivan was given the free kick opportunity. He hit a rifle through Columbus’ wall but the shot was seen all the way from Crew goalkeeper — and U.S. national team World Cup hopeful — Patrick Schulte.
Union 1, Crew 1.
But back to the point from earlier about salvaging a point…
On a free kick for Columbus, Picard stood alone at the far post unmarked. Closest to him was defender Nathan Harriel, but Harriel already had a mark at the edge of the 18. Just before the kick, midfielder Indiana Vassilev ran into the same space as Harriel and the Crew player he was marking.
Ball comes in, finds a deflection off an attempted clearance, falls to an unmarked Picard, who doesn’t hesitate and, to his credit, hits a gem into Blake’s far post.
The play seemed like a microcosm of the Union’s woes this season, where one unfortunate error, one mistimed run — or, in this case, a missed assignment — finds them chasing the game. It was a game that marked the final home match before a seven-week league wide respite for the FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11, with June 14 being Philly’s first foray into the tournament.
It was also the third match in the span of a week for the Union after a pair of one-goal losses to New England (3-2) last Saturday, and a late 4-3 loss to Orlando City on Wednesday. The club has only collected two points out of a possible 12 from matches in their May slate.
One game remains and it’s perhaps the biggest in this first half of play for the Union, a road test against Lionel Messi and a surging Inter Miami team next Saturday (7:30 p.m., Apple TV). Miami, winners of their last two, have scored a combined 12 goals in their last three matches.
Headwinds on the Schuylkill River made it challenging to race on Saturday, but St. Joseph’s Prep has been navigating choppy waters all season long.
Despite being in the midst of a coaching change, St. Joe’s Prep repeated in the senior eight event at the 99th annual Stotesbury Regatta, with a finish of 4 minute, 51 seconds, which was just a little over two and a half seconds over the second place Montclair High School of New Jersey. St. Joe’s Prep also won the most medals overall (42 overall, 32 gold, 10 silver).
St. Joe’s Prep interim head coach Thomas Wedgwood said he was impressed with the boys’ ability to row upstream. Wedgwood, who has coached in four countries, said the development of junior rowing in the United States over the past decade has allowed for great competition on this level, which was on display this weekend at the Stotesbury Regatta.
“What you’ve seen in the past decade at the club level, is that it has really blossomed, and now you’re starting to see the Scholastic [level] really catch up too,” Wedgwood said. “Now those two merging together is creating some of the most competitive junior rowing that I’ve ever seen.”
The regatta, which takes place in St. Joe’s Prep’s backyard on the Schuylkill River, with the high school’s boathouse on path with the course, on Kelly Drive.
With high schools coming from all over the country, and even some from Canada, St. Joe’s had an outpouring of support from its community.
“We train every day, and so we feel very privileged that we have an opportunity to actually race all these crews from around the country in our backyard and be able to host them here,” Wedgwood said.
Edith Eglin, the 90-year-old great-granddaughter of Edward Stotesbury, who is the namesake of the regatta and of the boy’s senior eight trophy, was in attendance for the event.
She made the trip down from her summer house in Watchhill, R.I., to present the Prep with the Edward T. Stotesbury Cup. Wedgwood said it was a “privilege and an honor” to have Eglin there to present the trophy, especially as St. Joe’s Prep crew celebrated its 100th year while the regatta celebrated its 99th anniversary.
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School celebrates at the finish line after winning the Boys Senior Eight Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Eglin, whose late husband, Thomas Wilson Eglin, was dean of students at The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, N.J., said she has a love for high school sports. And St. Joe’s Prep, who has won the boys senior eight in five of the last six Stotesbury Regatta’s.
“It’s a fabulously exciting event every year,” Eglin said. “The number of participants, the number of schools involved, the excitement of the families, and the and all the people who are watching it is infectious.”
But St. Joe’s Prep wasn’t the only repeat winner. On the girl’s side, Montclair won the senior eight with open water to claim the Robert Engman Trophy with a 5 minutes, 29 seconds showing. Mount St. Joseph’s High School came in second (05:35.14) with almost six seconds elapsed between the two boats.
Montclair High School girls jump into the river after winning the Girls Senior Eight race during the Stotesbury Cup Regatta.
Montclair dominated the competition through time trials and semifinals as well. While head coach Lorna Rundle knew she had a strong boat coming in and expected them to win, she didn’t expect it to happen in such a dominating fashion. She had a young group in the boat, with only three seniors. The seats were also filled with almost entirely different rowers from the Montclair boat that won the girls senior eight last year.
But once Rundle, who found it difficult to watch in person, saw her team come through the bridge on the livestream, she knew the girls “found the right rhythm.”
“It takes a lot of maturity to [race like that],” Rundle said. “I told them that it was the most beautiful race that I watched in a very long time. It was beautifully executed”
Montclair finished third in overall medal count with 32 overall, with the girls accounting for 14 of those.
“We’re a very, very small public high school,” Rundle said, “and to be competing at this level with all these huge programs, it makes us really proud.”
The footsteps of giants were echoing behind him, each one louder than the last.
All Maverick McNealy could do was wait.
The PGA Championship co-leader after two rounds was still 40 minutes away from teeing off when he walked off of the practice green and came face-to-face with the avalanche at his heels. On a giant video leaderboard rising in the distance, the household names were floating toward the surface like the first bubbles of a boil. By the time McNealy and fellow longshot Alex Smalley teed off, the 36-hole co-leaders would be joined in first place by Rory McIlroy. Not long after that, they would be leaders no more.
For all of the grumbling that emanated from the starriest of corners of the players’ locker room during the first two days at Aronimink Golf Club, the mayhem that golf’s titans unleashed in Round 3 will only embolden tournament officials. Long a major in search of an identity, the PGA Championship suddenly has set itself up for a finish that can command the attention of even the casuals. The biggest names, the best games, all will be there, almost without exception.
McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Reed … all will enter Sunday’s final round within two or three strokes of the lead. Right on their heels are the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka, and Rickie Fowler.
Represented in that group are five of the six pre-tournament betting favorites.
But Smalley, the man who enters Sunday with a two-stroke lead, is a relative unknown who bogeyed three of his first four holes but shot three-under on the back nine to regain the lead.
“I mean, my PGA Tour career isn’t necessarily very long at this point, but I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Aberg, who shot a 68 to stand in a group of five players two shots behind Smalley. “It’s very tight. I think there’s a lot of good players within striking distance going into tomorrow, and it’s a cool thing, I think, for the viewers. I think it’s cool to see that many guys have a chance to win a tournament.”
Alex Smalley holds his golf ball after making a birdie putt on the par-4 fourth hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.
PGA officials deserve plenty of credit for that, especially after the veiled and not-so-veiled criticism they received from the likes of McIlroy, Scheffler and Reed for the setup at Aronomink during the first two rounds. The player’s critiques regarding pin positioning were both understandable and fair. A golf course is supposed to allow for players to differentiate themselves based on their skill. When pin positions are so difficult that they becomes more a matter of chance, it introduces a degree of randomness that can have a leveling effect, particularly in a field as big as the PGA Championship. That was certainly the case in the early going at Aronimink, with 15 players within two strokes of the lead after 36 holes, and with five of the world’s 13 top-ranked golfers missing the cut entirely.
That being said, the early-round variability played a direct role in what could end up being one of the more memorable weekends of drama. With course conditions loosening, weather warming, and the toughest pin locations exhausted, the final two rounds of the tournament will allow the remaining superstars to battle each other at near-unprecedented level.
“Credit to the PGA for the setup,” Rahm said. “They found some incredible hard pin locations out there. . . As hard as it is to play, the challenge can also be kind of fun if you do well. That’s probably the reason why the leaderboard is so bunched up and it’s going to be such a good Sunday tomorrow. So in that sense, showmanship-wise, they’ve done a great job.”
Smalley thickened the plot considerably late in the day, birdieing five of his last 10 holes to separate himself from a pack of seven golfers who had been tied for the lead. That pack at minus-4 also includes longshots Matti Schmid, Nick Taylor, Aaron Rai, and McNealy.
But the story that will resonate is Saturday’s stampede of superstars. Rose, last year’s Master’s runner-up, shot a 65, with McIlroy and Schauffele shooting 66 and Rahm a 67.
“It’s a different challenge, and that’s the cool thing about it is it’s on its own,” Reed said. “But the great thing about all the golf courses we play, no matter where it is, whatever major championship we’re playing, if you’re hitting the ball well and you’re putting well, you’re going to be able to handle anything. We’re the best players in the world, so when they throw a really hard challenge at us, that’s when the top players are going to show up.”
Third time’s a charm. After two straight losses, the Flyers look to close out its NHL playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 tonight in South Philly. Here’s how to watch and stream.
Benching Matvei Michkov didn’t work in Game 5. Now, it looks like head coach Rick Tocchet is making some more changes, including re-inserting Michkov.
Former Flyers captain Claude Giroux takes out Sidney Crosby during “The Shift 2.0” in 2012. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
After winning the first three games of the series before dropping the last two, the Flyers return home Wednesday for Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins at what’s sure to be a raucous but tense Xfinity Mobile Arena.
While some fans may be starting to get nervous — more like panic — the Flyers do have history on their side. Only 26 teams in 216 tries have forced a Game 6 after losing the first three games of a best-of-seven playoff series in NHL history, and only four have completed the reverse sweep, including Philly in 2010.
But the Flyers have been in this exact scenario before … and against Pittsburgh to boot.
In 2012, the Flyers won the first three games of their first-round series against the Penguins, before Pittsburgh pulled things back to 3-2. What happened next in Game 6 is etched in Flyers lore forever as “The Shift 2.0.” (The original “Shift” belongs to Mike Richards, for what he did against the Canadiens two years earlier.)
On the opening shift of the game, at the then-Wells Fargo Center, captain Claude Giroux de-skated Sidney Crosby at center ice with a massive hit just five seconds after the opening faceoff. If that didn’t set the tone enough, Giroux would open the scoring just 27 second later with a wicked wrist shot off the post and in to send the home faithful into a frenzy. The Flyers would follow their captain’s lead and destroy the Penguins 5-1 in Game 6 to close it out.
Captain Sean Couturier is the only holdover from that team to witness “G’s” heroics in person, while GM Danny Brière will also remember it well, having scored the Flyers’ fourth goal in that game. For Pittsburgh, Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang were all in the lineup on that fateful date: April 22, 2012.
Despite his stellar season, Flyers goalie Dan Vladař was not named as one of three finalists for the Vezina Trophy finalists, given annually to the league’s best goaltender. Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins), Ilya Sorokin (New York Islanders), and Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning) earned those honors.
Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov shoots the puck during an afternoon skate on Sunday.
After much consternation, it does appear that Matvei Michkov will return to the lineup on Wednesday for Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Russian winger was off the ice early at the team’s optional morning skate at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Winger Garnet Hathaway stayed on the ice late with players who normally are healthy scratches, like Garrett Wilson, Carl Grundström, and Oliver Bonk.
Where he slots in is the biggest question, as the right winger is not a fourth-line player. Could Tyson Foerster or Alex Bump — who played well together with center Noah Cates in Game 5 — or Denver Barkey move down?
Despite leading the team in points with 22 in the final 26 games of the regular season, helping the team clinch the third seed in the Metropolitan Division, Michkov posted zero points in the first four games of the postseason. The 21-year-old was a healthy scratch for Game 5 and appeared to revert to his early-season struggles with the uptick in pace and intensity.
The last time he was a healthy scratch was for a pair of games in early November of his rookie season. He returned and had a goal and an assist against the San Jose Sharks before adding three points in the following two games.
Emil Andrae also stayed on, and Noah Juulsen came off earlier, which hints that the veteran blueliner will slot in.
#Flyers on the ice for morning skate. Most guys out there. Tippett, Konecny, Couturier, Couturier or Ristolainen are not but expect that to be maintenance for tonight.
Rasmus Ristolainen and the Flyers were punished for not getting pucks out on Monday.
Rick Tocchet has long talked about the lessons that his young Flyers team needs to learn. He has often mentioned teachable moments in both losses and in wins.
They have now lost two straight games after breaking out to a three to nothing lead in their best-of-seven game series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Flyers are still at the head of the class, as they hold the 3-2 advantage and have two more chances to advance. But it feels like the teacher is starting to implement a curve that could pull their grade down as the Penguins push and claw their way back into the series.
There is a saying that goes something like, “Forget the past, but never forget the lesson.” Well, the Flyers need to dig back into their old notes and cram before Game 6 on Wednesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena because they definitely don’t want to become part of a history-making series — on the wrong side this time.
Alex Bump made his playoff debut for the Flyers during Monday’s Game 5 in Pittsburgh.
Alex Bump didn’t know whether he would play in this playoff series.
After Porter Martone signed with the Flyers out of college and Tyson Foerster returned from injury, there wasn’t an obvious place for him. As the playoffs started, Bump found himself the odd man out, watching from the press box, “itching” to get in.
On Monday, Bump’s number finally was called, and he delivered in the Flyers’ 3-2 loss in Game 5 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“I think I’m built for the playoffs,” Bump, 22, said postgame. “Just that hard, physical game, shooting mentality, getting pucks to the net.”
Bump stood out when the Flyers struggled to generate extended offensive zone time and execute clears. According to Natural Stat Trick, their expected goals percentage with Bump on the ice was 69.8%, the best of any Flyer.
In Game 5, Bump entered the zone cleanly with control of the puck three times and was responsible for another advance after forcing a turnover on an Anthony Mantha pass and finding Noah Cates, who entered the zone cleanly.
Even though the Flyers lost Game 5, Bump proved he’s worthy of staying in the lineup as the playoffs continue.
“[Bump and Denver Barkey], they’re holding on to pucks,” Tocchet said. “That’s why they’re making some plays out there. We’ve got to get some other guys to hold on to pucks and win some battles in the corners. That’s playoff hockey.”
Flyers-Penguins Game 6: Start time, how to watch and stream
The Flyers-Penguins series comes back to Philly for Game 6.
The Flyers-Penguins series jumps back to TNT Wednesday night for Game 6, with Kenny Albert and NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Brian Boucher on the call. Chris Mason will handle reporting duties at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
TNT Sports is averaging 1.1 million viewers for its NHL playoff broadcasts across TNT, TBS, and truTV, up 67% compared to last season and the network’s best start since landing hockey rights in 2021.
The game will also air on NBC Sports Philadelphia, with Scott Hartnell once again taking Boucher’s place alongside Jim Jackson.
Flyers Pregame Live will air at 7 p.m., featuring Ashlyn Sullivan and former 94.1 WIP host Al Morganti. They will also handle postgame coverage.
Flyers vs. Penguins: Game 6
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena
TV: TNT (Kenny Albert, Brian Boucher, Chris Mason), NBC Sports Philadelphia (Jim Jackson, Scott Hartnell)
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic (Tim Saunders, Todd Fedoruk)
New Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard met the media Saturday.
As the newest Eagles edge rusher, Greenard expressed an understanding that he isn’t just representing the current group. He emphasized his admiration for the players of the past, including Brandon Graham, Chris Long, Derek Barnett, and Josh Sweat, who have set the standard for the newcomers.
“I respect the hell out of the guys that have come before me, and all I can do is continue to just carry that light and make sure the things they’ve done in the past doesn’t go in vain,” Greenard said. “So I love everything about it. I love the historic franchise. I’m wanting to be a part of that.
“I want to be a part of having some hardware on my finger.”
Still rehabbing, Greenard thinks he could play today
Football has been on the back burner for the last several months as new Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard recovered from season-ending left shoulder surgery in December. The injury limited him to just 12 games in 2025. Greenard said he is still rehabbing, but he is making progress.
“They don’t want me to say it, but if we had to play, I could play,” Greenard said. “But ultimately, man, I feel good. I’m in a good spot, and coming here with the best trainers as well, and the best docs here, stuff like that, I know I’m in good hands.”
As he gets back on football field in 2026, Greenard will look to return to the Pro Bowl form he achieved in 2024, his first season with the Vikings. That year, he registered 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, three pass breakups, and 18 tackles for a loss.
But the Steelers may have been violating a league rule.
They weren’t on the clock until pick No. 21, and were apparently unaware the Eagles jumped in front of them and traded with Dallas for pick No. 20.
Former Eagles executive turned consultant Jake Rosenberg pointed out on X Friday that “clubs that are not ‘on the clock’ may have discussions with the representative of one or more draft-eligible players not yet selected (or discussion with the players themselves) regarding the player’s interest in playing in the League, playing with a particular club or type of club, the player’s health, or other such non-financial matters, so long as these discussions do not interfere with discussions between a player and the club that is ‘on the clock.’”
According to Pro Football Talk, that is the correct interpretation of the rule, and PFT reached out to the NFL about the rule. “The league reviews all aspects of the Draft the week after its conclusion,” the NFL told PFT in a statement.
It’s unclear of course if the league will do anything about the phone call, of course, or just chalk it up to an simple mistake. It certainly made for embarrassing opening night for Pittsburgh, the draft’s host city.
The Eagles got their guy, and the Steelers had to settle for Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor.
Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Drew Shelton is headed to the Cowboys.
Drew Shelton, a two-year starter at Penn State and a Downingtown West graduate, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys 112th overall in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
Shelton, who succeeded Jets offensive linemen Olu Fashanu at left tackle beginning in the 2024 season, becomes the second consecutive Downingtown West graduate to get drafted. Will Howard was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of last year’s draft.
Leading up to the draft, Shelton was training in Dallas with Duke Manyweather, the offensive line guru and the cofounder of OL Masterminds with Lane Johnson.
Now, he will have an opportunity to return at least once a year when Dallas travels to Philly for one of two matchups inside of the NFC East.
Eagles center Jason Kelce (left), offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (second from left), and running back Kenny Gainwell (right) were all Day 3 picks.
The Eagles only have three remaining picks on Saturday — for now — and they’re not on the lock until pick No. 178, but this day has historically brought them some important players.
To be sure, some not-so-good players, too. And only having three picks makes it a little less statistically likely they have a high hit rate on the Day 3 class in 2026.
But in case you need some reminding, here are some of Howie Roseman’s best Day 3 picks:
C Jason Kelce: The Eagles picked the future Hall of Fame center at No. 191 (sixth round), helping save an otherwise bad 2011 draft class that started with Danny Watkins, the first-round firefighter, and second-round pick Jaiquawn Jarrett.
LT Jordan Mailata: Mailata had never played American football before the Eagles selected him in the seventh round in 2018. He’s now one of the steadiest left tackles in football, and part of arguably the best Eagles draft class under Roseman.
DT Moro Ojomo: Ojomo is another seventh-round steal, this one in 2023. Ojomo has turned into a productive interior defensive lineman who likely will earn a nice paycheck in free agency after this season.
DE Josh Sweat: Sweat, a fourth-round pick in that 2018 class, had a strong argument for Super Bowl MVP two seasons ago.
CB Jalen Mills: Another seventh-round pick, Mills helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl.
There are some notable honorable mentions, too: Kenneth Gainwell; Tanner McKee; Avonte Maddox; Beau Allen; Grant Calcaterra; and more.
Greenard got his first taste of Philly at Sixers game: ‘It’s different up here’
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard jogs off the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard has never played at Lincoln Financial Field, but he got a taste of Philadelphia fans during Friday night’s Sixers playoff game at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
“They lost, but that was a crazy environment,” Greenard said. “I was just at the Hawks game back home in Georgia. Looking at that and comparing the two, I was just like, man, this environment was way, way, way better. No disrespect to them. Ultimately, man, it’s different up here. They take pride in it. They take pride in everything they do. It’s a blue collar city. When you work your tail off, everything is going to be rewarded back to you. They’re just passionate, and I love that.
“Ultimately, they want one thing. And why not? We want the same thing. I carry that chip on my shoulder. I respect the hell out of this city, respect the hell out of this [organization], and I just definitely understand what putting this jersey on, putting this helmet on, actually means to this city. And I’m going to take pride in that.”
How Jonathan Greenard sees himself fitting on Eagles defense
The Eagles introduced their new edge rusher, Jonathan Greenard, Saturday morning, just over 12 hours after acquiring him from the Vikings for a pair of third round picks.
So what does he think of the defense already in place? And how does he see himself fitting alongside the team’s current front seven?
“If you look at it across the board, they’ve got some dogs,” Greenard said of the Eagles current defensive front. “Already, you start interior-wise, [Moro] Ojomo and obviously J.C. [Jalen Carter] and J.D. [Jordan Davis], they’re going to do their things. On the edge guys, it’s such a young presence and guys who are just relentless. I feel like that’s where I can add to it, just like a vet presence. You’ve got Nolan [Smith] already doing his thing and elevating his game, and Jalyx [Hunt] as well. …
“All these guys are just hungry, and I think that adding my little expertise, and then still bringing my relentless energy and my effort to the game and polishing up my techniques — because I’m still learning too. Even though I’m a vet, I still feel like I’ve got a long way to go polishing up my technique. But just adding to what has already been put here is something I want to bring to the table. I’m not going to change anything up, change anything about what I do myself, just going to play ball and keep doing what I’ve done since I’ve been in the league.”
Former Eagles receiver coached Eli Stowers in college
As a first-year coach I had the honor of working with @eli_stowers3 every day. Coaching is easy when your players possess his level of athleticism, intelligence, and playmaking ability. AND he’s an even better person. @Eagles fans, you’re going to LOVE him! pic.twitter.com/xvsBQ8aasH
The Eagles enter the third and final day of the draft with three picks, at least for now. Here’s a look at their picks:
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// Timestamp 04/25/26 8:25am
With only three picks, what’s the Eagles plan for Day 3?
Eagles GM Howie Roseman has been active during the NFL draft.
On Day 3 of the draft, Howie Roseman has said in the past he is looking for players with unique traits who can develop into starters.
But as it currently stands, the Eagles are set to take fewer swings at identifying those future starters on the draft’s final day. Roseman has just three picks at his disposal — Round 5, No. 178, Round 6, No. 197, and Round 7, No. 244. He traded 2026 picks away to move up for Makai Lemon and to acquire Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings and Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers.
Roseman considers Greenard and Wicks to be exploits of this draft, even though they are veterans. Still, Roseman expressed a sense of longing for his since-departed Day 3 picks.
“It stinks,” Roseman said on Friday night. “We have a great meeting tomorrow morning where everyone has passion players on Day 3. Not picking in the fourth round hurts, but I think that when we look at what we’ve done and the players that we added overall, we’ll get through those couple hours and be excited about the guys we have and the opportunities that we have tomorrow to add some players.”
What are the Eagles’ remaining needs?
On Day 3, the likelihood that the Eagles will be addressing immediate roster needs are slim. Instead, as mentioned above, they’ll attempt to identify players with starting upside.
Still, the biggest question mark among the starting jobs is at safety alongside Drew Mukuba. Michael Carter and Marcus Epps are the likely contenders for the gig, but could the Eagles add a competitor to the mix, either through the draft or via trade?
While the Eagles added a tackle in the third round on Friday in Markel Bell, they likely aren’t finished adding to the offensive line. Last year, the Eagles went into training camp with 17 offensive linemen. As the roster currently stands, they have 13. One noteworthy deficiency is guard depth behind Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen.
The Eagles will also add a quarterback at some point before training camp. Typically, the team carries four quarterbacks on the 90-man roster. The room currently stands at three with Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton.
Additionally, the Eagles have four running backs on the roster in Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Dameon Pierce. Last year, they went into training camp with seven.
Bowry, the 6-foot-5, 314-pounder, was a two-year starter at left tackle at Boston College. He is heralded for his athleticism at the position, as evidenced by his 5.08 40-yard dash (80th percentile) and his 34.5-inch vertical jump (96th percentile). Bowry could be better suited for guard at the next level given his size, although he did not play the position in college.
RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Could the Eagles add another running back from Penn State? According to PennLive, Singleton took a pre-draft visit to the Eagles. While the top of the team’s depth chart is set with Barkley and Bigsby, Singleton could still compete for a role with Shipley and Pierce. Singleton had an underwhelming 2025 season and broke a bone in his foot at the Senior Bowl, hence his availability on Day 3. But he was stellar in 2024 as a junior, eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards.
DB Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
Kilgore, 6-1, 210, is a versatile defensive back who primarily played at nickel throughout his three seasons at South Carolina. Over the last two seasons in particular, he had excellent ball production, combining for seven interceptions and 15 pass breakups in that span. Those skills combined with his elite athleticism (4.4 40-yard dash) should be enticing to a team like the Eagles in search of a prospective starting safety.
Howie Roseman explains Eagles’ moves on ‘eventful’ Day 2
The Eagles acquired edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Vikings Friday night.
Jonathan Greenard, edge rusher
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman sat at the podium Friday night after what he called an “eventful” Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft.
The Birds made two draft picks, but the bigger move was acquiring Minnesota edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who the Eagles signed to a four-year deal worth $100 million.
“There wasn’t a game that we didn’t watch of his, and what you see is a relentless player,” Roseman said. “We just felt like we had a really good D-line but we wanted to elevate it.
“It really made sense with where our football team was to acquire the player.”
Markel Bell, offensive lineman
Roseman called 6-foot-9 tackle Markel Bell, the Eagles’ third-round pick, a “passion player” throughout the draft process.
The Eagles selected Bell with the 68th pick. He has rare size at the position and didn’t allow a sack in 2025. Roseman said he wondered what might happen if the 21-year-old Bell went back to college for another year. As in, he probably would be a more sought-after prospect next draft cycle.
“Really, when you watch the tape, he is hard to get around in pass protection,” Roseman said. “This was a guy that’s hard to find.”
Eli Stowers, tight end
Stowers, a first-team All-American, had 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns with the Commodores. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound native of Texas is a former quarterback who has played tight end for just three seasons after beginning his college career at Texas A&M as a quarterback.
Shoulder injuries made it so that Stowers “couldn’t throw the ball the same,” he said. He transferred to New Mexico State, where he competed with Diego Pavia for the starting quarterback job. Pavia won, but Stowers went into offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s office and told him he’d do “anything” to get on the field, he said.
He transitioned to tight end, went with Pavia and the coaching staff to Vanderbilt, and has excelled.
“I think it’s exciting that he has only played the position for a short time,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “We’ve done a ton of homework on the guy, obviously. Great character guy. High football IQ having played quarterback. Those guys continue to develop, and excited to work with him because he’s got a lot of room to improve.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said “Stowers will need to prove himself as a serviceable blocker at the NFL level, but he is explosive as a pass catcher, and I love the way he maximizes his catch radius. He has mismatch-creating potential and can eventually develop into an NFL starter.”
The 76ers still have some work to do before the NBA playoffs.
If they win tonight against the Orlando Magic in the Play-In Tournament (7:30, Prime Video), they’ll move on as the Eastern Conference’s No. 7 seed and face the Boston Celtics in the first round.
But a loss to the Magic doesn’t end the Sixers’ chances of making the playoffs. They would have another shot against the Charlotte Hornets, who beat the Miami Heat in the 9-10 matchup on Tuesday night.
There’s been a lot to unpack with this year’s Sixers — from Embiid’s tale of two seasons as his health continued to limit him to Paul George serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy. There also are positives that they’ll be leaning on tonight.
Those positives are in backcourt duo Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, also known as “VJ Maxx.” It’s no secret that they have fueled the Sixers this season, and the team will go as far as the pair can lead them.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Howie Roseman called the reporting surrounding Jalen Hurts “unfair.”
Howie Roseman is usually aware of what’s being reported about the Eagles. So he has seen the articles in the aftermath of an early playoff exit that pointed some of the blame for the team’s offensive struggles at Jalen Hurts. The GM said it’s “unfair — but I also understand it’s what sells at this point.”
Roseman also was asked about A.J. Brown’s future with the Eagles, especially after the trade for Dontayvion Wicks, but his answer remained the same.
What we’re …
🏈 Learning: NFL reporter Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic a week after photos of her with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel were published.
🏒 Reliving: The Flyers clinching their first playoff berth since 2020 after beating the Carolina Hurricanes in a 3-2 shootout on Monday.
🥊 Preparing: UFC is returning to Philadelphia in August for UFC 330, its first major championship event in the city in 15 years.
📖 Reading: A Camden High graduate’s journey from playing five years of college football to having NFL aspirations.
Chase Shugart had a 3.72 ERA over 9⅔ innings in spring training.
The Phillies’ bullpen shuffling continues, with the team optioning righty Seth Johnson and recalling righty Chase Shugart from triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Recalling Shugart gives the bullpen a fresh arm. Rob Thomson got a look at the 29-year-old in spring training and says “I don’t think any situation is going to scare him a lot.”
After jumping out to a 3-0 lead against the Cubs, a disastrous sixth inning from Tim Mayza doomed the Phillies in a 10-4 loss. The Phillies will try to avoid losing three consecutive series on Wednesday.
Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar celebrates with his teammates after the Flyers clinched a playoff spot on Monday.
They did it. The Flyers are back in the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. “It’s been a lot of years,” coach Rick Tocchet said Monday.
The other Philly teams have gotten the chance to experience what a true playoff atmosphere looks like over the last few seasons. Now it’s the Flyers’ turn to experience a playoff atmosphere in Philly.
And as the season wrapped up on Tuesday, the Flyers’ youngsters shined in a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The win gave the Flyers 43 on the season, their most since the 2011-12 season.
Flyers mascot Gritty (left) and a likeness of him tattooed into the top of Willie Aston’s head.
Willie Aston, 50, of Kutztown has been a Flyers fan since the 1990s, and with the team making the playoffs for the first time since 2020, he got a portrait of Gritty tattooed on the top of his head.
“Everybody so far has loved [my Gritty tattoo]. … A lot of people like the added touch of the eyes and the blood and the fangs.”
Keith Jones has proved to be a quick study since transitioning from broadcasting to an NHL front office.
Since becoming the Flyers’ president in 2023, Keith Jones has never watched his team compete in a shootout. On Monday night, he was in the upper reaches of Xfinity Mobile Arena, pacing in a hallway just outside the booth where he used to call games.
Many rolled their eyes when the Flyers hired a broadcaster as team president. Three years later, Jones has the team in the playoffs and trending upward. He has shown he shouldn’t be underestimated, writes columnist Mike Sielski.
🧠 Trivia time answer
Who holds the Sixers record for most points in a playoff game with 55?
B) Allen Iverson in Game 1 of the 2003 Eastern Conference first round — Joey M. was first with the correct answer.
What you’re saying about your favorite venue
We asked: What is your favorite Philly sports venue of all time? Among your response:
Way too many to choose from. Shibe Park a/k/a Connie Mack Stadium, Municipal stadium, the Palestra, Franklin Field, the Arena at 45th & Market St, the original Spectrum, Xfinity Mobile, the Vet, Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, Olney High School Gymnasium, the Convention Hall, Mann Music Center, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Going on 87 and been to them all. I think my all time favorite was a vacant lot at the Harold B Robinson auto store at Broad and 67th Ave. in West Oak Lane where we played soft ball games with our dad’s, uncles and friends almost every Sunday morning in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. — Ronald R.
The Palestra hands-down! Loved watching Big 5 college and PIAA triple header basketball playoff games in the mid-70’s. Bristol High School would have 4 fan buses caravan to West Philly to support the Warriors during their state championship run. Later as a Temple Owl, we attended many Big 5 double headers with the streamers and signs from the student section. — Bob C.
The Palestra is the oldest major college arena still in use.
For me it was Shibe Park later Connie Mack Stadium. I saw my very first MLB game there in 1948 sitting in the left field bleachers with the Springfield Delco AA. Saw Connie Mack and his Athletics there just once, and saw my first Eagles game there as well. Very special too because over the years I got to take all four of my younger brothers there to see the Phillies and or Eagles. Many fond memories. — Everett S.
Connie Mack Stadium was all about baseball (not “entertainment” distractions) where the grass was actually a beautiful green compared to my black and white TV and of course, the massive Ballantine Beer Scoreboard along with box and reserve seats not wide enough for today’s human. — Mike P.
I have to say that both the palestra and Franklin Field were my favorite venues. Watching the Eagles beat Green Bay on 12/26/60 was a true highlight and all of the Big 5 games at the Palestra with the roll-out signs and the intensity in the stands there was never dull moment in the hallowed halls of the magnificent Basilica of College Basketball.— Richard F.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Mullin, Gina Mizell, Gabriela Carroll, Devin Jackson, Rob Tornoe, Ariel Simpson, Jackie Spiegel, Mike Sielski, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, and Owen Hewitt.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Thanks for getting your morning started with me on this hot spring day. Kerith will catch back up with you in Thursday’s newsletter. — Bella
Inside the visitors’ locker room in Washington earlier this month, VJ Edgecombe slid over to join Tyrese Maxey for a joint postgame interview.
Six minutes of banter, inside jokes, and genuine comments ensued between the 76ers guards. Maxey scanned a box score from the Sixers’ dominant victory over the Wizards and asked Edgecombe, with pseudo exasperation, “Bro, you only had one defensive rebound? How is that possible?” Edgecombe interjected during a Maxey answer about teammates who had scored 30 points off the bench this season, because the veteran had forgotten Justin Edwards and former Sixer Cameron Payne. And Maxey dropped that Edgecombe had started calling himself “PG1,” because he had 10 assists that night.
“Just trying to make life easier for my dog right here,” Edgecombe said of Maxey. “They be hounding him. Guarding him full-court. Face guarding him. Doing all type of things. They trying their best to stop him, and they can’t, really.”
The scene was evidence of how Maxey and Edgecombe can be playful in one moment, then candidly hold each other accountable in the next, then sincere about their partnership in the next. They are similarly wired: tenaciously hardworking and poised for their age, yet unafraid to let their personalities crack through their seriousness about their craft.
Now the Sixers’ electric backcourt — which we can officially dub “VJ Maxx” thanks to their collaboration with clothing store TJ Maxx for their outfits for Sunday’s regular-season finale — are about to step into the postseason together for the first time. Joel Embiid, a former NBA Most Valuable Player, remains out while recovering from last week’s emergency appendectomy. Paul George, at 35 years old, must now be characterized as a complementary player who recently returned from a 25-game NBA suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy.
Maxey and Edgecombe have fueled this Sixers season, as the All-NBA contender and first-year player likely to finish third on an exceptional Rookie of the Year ballot. The Sixers likely will go as far as the pair can lead them, starting with Wednesday’s Play-In Tournament matchup against the Orlando Magic (7:30 p.m., Prime Video). And it marks another move into the Sixers’ future that has already been percolating, with Maxey and Edgecombe creating the core duo around whom the franchise should build.
“We have this chip on our shoulder, I think,” Maxey said. “We’re competitive and we want to win. He don’t care about nothing but winning. He don’t care about his points. He don’t care about his stats. All he care about is winning, and it’s evident in his play, so that’s why we get along.”
Added Edgecombe: “[He’s] one of the best players in the NBA. … My goal is to be that, to be a superstar. So it’s helping me to know the right steps and everything it takes in how to do that.”
Maxey and Edgecombe were initially linked because of, as Maxey called it, the Sixers’ “very, very, very, very bad” 2024-25 season — plus fabulous draft lottery luck to land the third overall pick.
Before the Sixers chose Edgecombe, Maxey remembered seeing clips of him dunking on “the kid from Gonzaga” (Joe Few) and talking trash while playing with former Sixer Buddy Hield with the Bahamian national team. Edgecombe, who is such a film junkie that he watched Maxey’s high school footage, was impressed with his quickness and skill.
Sixers guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe will serve as the core of the franchise in the future.
They first met when Maxey stopped by the Sixers’ facility during Edgecombe’s predraft workout. They had a casual get-to-know-you conversation that day, before Maxey called to welcome him to the Sixers on draft night.
When Maxey shared that his offseason workouts begin at 6 a.m., and Edgecombe committed to joining and then actually showed up, Maxey knew they were a basketball match.
“And he’s smiling, too,” Maxey recently recalled to The Inquirer. “But he’s a tough kid, and I feel like I’m tough, as well.”
The summer training sessions continued in Philly and Los Angeles, with a side quest to Disneyland during which Maxey forced Edgecombe to wear a Goofy hat. When Maxey peeked his head through a curtain to say, “Hey, buddy” during Edgecombe’s media day news conference, it was clear they had established a foundational bond.
As the season approached, Maxey was ready for another leap into stardom. Coach Nick Nurse, meanwhile, had no hesitation about immediately putting Edgecombe in the starting lineup. They possessed the explosive speed and athleticism to push the pace, attack the rim, and make defensive plays on the ball.
“If me and him are running,” Edgecombe recently told The Inquirer, “I think we’re hard to stop.”
Like in the Sixers’ opener at the Boston Celtics, when Maxey dropped 40 points and Edgecombe had 34 in a historic rookie debut. Or in December, when Edgecombe got into position to collect a short Maxey jumper for a go-ahead putback against the Golden State Warriors, just before Maxey raced to the other end for a game-clinching block at the buzzer. Or a couple weeks after that, when Maxey dished to Edgecombe for the game-winning three-pointer to beat the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime.
Maxey ascended into a top-5 scorer in the NBA (28.3 points per game) and the league leader in minutes played per game (38), while also averaging 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. Edgecombe demonstrated an all-around game — he finished the season averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 75 games — and a knack for those crunch-time buckets.
In mid-February, they took the cross-country trip to Los Angeles to represent the Sixers at All-Star Weekend. Maxey sat courtside as Edgecombe won Rising Stars MVP, before helping his team of younger U.S. players win the Sunday tournament.
“He ain’t coming to watch it if I ain’t going to play hard,” Edgecombe said after the Rising Stars event. “ … I didn’t want to waste his time. I know he has a whole lot of stuff he could probably be doing.”
In between that on-court success, there were signals of their deepening rapport.
They flashed coordinated dance moves during pregame introductions and postgame interviews. When Edgecombe deadpanned in February that he rated a wicked Maxey dunk on Minnesota star Anthony Edwards a “6 out of 10,” a flabbergasted Maxey responded with, “He can’t even dunk on people, and he gave me a 6 out of 10?!”
Sixers guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe build their bond over summer and preseason workouts.
Cameras also caught a heated exchange between the two players during a January loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, when both thought they were supposed to pick up the ballhandler. Maxey did not realize the moment had blown up online until his father, Tyrone, called and asked, “Hey, you and VJ good?”
“Everybody thought we was mad at each other,” Maxey said later. “That’s competitive nature. We can talk that out. We was just fine right after. … That’s my little brother.”
Added Edgecombe: “We’re hard on each other, and then we also understand. … Every time he has something to say, I know it’s always coming from a place of love.”
Nurse sees Maxey passing his early-career experiences on to Edgecombe. The most valuable, the rookie says, is observing the consistency with which Maxey has carried himself throughout the season.
Maxey, meanwhile, already views Edgecombe in a role similar to his third season — aka, “we need him.” And though Edgecombe has occasionally gotten “lost in the sauce” scoring-wise, Maxey is proud of how the rookie has shifted into multiple roles.
That was especially true last month, when the Sixers were missing four starters, including Maxey. That pushed Edgecombe into the lead ballhandler and top scoring option, and into encountering double-teams for the first time “that I can remember,” he said. Maxey, naturally, became a source of advice.
“I told him that I hate it,” Edgecombe said following a March 14 win over the Brooklyn Nets. “But it’s a sign of respect. I’m going to ask him [how to combat it]. … But that just shows how good Tyrese is, also. I’ve just got to keep asking questions [and] try to figure out how to get through everything.”
Added George: “Tyrese is giving [Edgecombe] a ton of confidence … and I think it’s showing. When he’s on the court, it’s almost like he’s been here before.”
As the Sixers went down the stretch of the regular season, former coach Doc Rivers said he believes playing alongside Edgecombe has helped Maxey improve his defense. On fan appreciation night last week, the giveaway was a “Rookie Jam” T-shirt featuring Maxey and Edgecombe’s faces and video game-style ratings for various skills. San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson took a question about Edgecombe before last week’s matchup against the Sixers, and immediately tied him to Maxey.
“It seems like he likes competing, and he and Maxey share that sentiment from afar,” Johnson said. “To have that in two young men, for a franchise with that amount of talent and, it feels like, character … that’s a really good source [for] your main characters involved in your program.”
When asked where Edgecombe has most helped him this season, Maxey grinned and said, “He keeps me happy.” Maxey appreciates now being the veteran on the receiving end of the type of energy boost he knows he has provided to Embiid and former Sixers guard James Harden over the years. And though Maxey has shared a bit with Edgecombe about what to expect from the postseason, that demeanor is why “he’s the least of my worries.”
Prior to Sunday’s regular-season finale, Nurse said he believes the Maxey-Edgecombe backcourt is “still unfolding.” As Edgecombe stepped into a media scrum to face questions about Wednesday’s play-in game against Orlando, he wore Gucci sunglasses to complement his TJ Maxx sweater, tie, and slacks. From across the room, Maxey yelled Edgecombe looked “clean as hell” and that he “ain’t a rookie no more.”
“Playoff Valdez,” Maxey said, dropping Edgecombe’s full first name.
Next, they will step into their first postseason together. And, perhaps, into the Sixers’ future.
“Just to be his running mate,” Edgecombe said. “As the years go on, I want us to go down in history.”
