2025 Preseason Preview

Posted: August 6th, 2025 | Author: Tommy Lawlor

The Eagles open the 2025 preseason on Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Do not expect to see much from the Eagles starters. Nick Sirianni prefers to focus on Training Camp and joint practices for them. That isn’t to say the game will be all backups.

Go back to last year’s preseason opener. The Eagles mixed in some new and young players who needed the game time. Most of the defense started in that game. Vic Fangio had a new scheme and there were a lot of young players. Proven vets like Darius Slay, CJGJ and BG sat out. The defenders didn’t play long. They gave way to the backups, which included Nakobe Dean. Devin White was the starting MLB in that game.

The only key player on offense who started was Mekhi Becton, who was new to the Eagles and playing RG.

I don’t anticipate any offensive starters playing against the Bengals. Sydney Brown is likely to play. I think Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson will both play. They are battling for a starting job and game film could be a key tiebreaker.

It will be interesting to see all the young guys in action. Lots of players have a lot to prove.

QB – Kyle McCord and DTR will be competing for the #3 job. DTR has more experience and that should help him to look better. McCord is a talented passer and could come alive in extended game action.

RB – I hope Will Shipley gets a decent amount of carries (8-10). I want to get a better feel for him as potentially the #2 RB. He is a good receiver and I could see him getting a few catches in the game. Rookie ShunDerrick Powell has had some impressive moments in camp. It will be interesting to see what he can do in a game. He’s small, but explosive.

WR – This is a crucial position for the preseason games. Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith are draft picks who need to prove they still belong. Darius Cooper and Eli Cooks have been better in camp and want to make plays in the game. Taylor Morin and Giles Jackson want to get noticed. Let’s hope the offense functions well so the receivers have passes coming their way. So much easier to judge them when the ball is involved.

TE – We know the top two. Things are wide open after that. It would help for someone to emerge. The TEs need to impress as blockers as well as catching passes. They also need to show up on STs. That’s key for them. Kylen Granson is probably the guy I’m most intrigued by.

OL – I’ll be interested in all of the backup linemen. I know Kenyon Green has the big name, but I want to see rookies OT Myles Hinton and C Drew Kendall. Both have chances to be primary backups this year. I’m also looking forward to watching UDFA Hollin Pierce. He’s struggled in camp. Pierce is huge and powerful. Playing in a game could bring out the best in him, at least as a run blocker.

ED – I don’t think Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari will play too much. They are veterans and there is plenty of tape on them. Ochaun Mathis and Ogbo Okoronkwo should play a lot. Both guys have a chance to win a roster spot. They need to flash.

DL – Gabe Hall is one of the surprises of camp. I’m excited to see him in action. Rookie Ty Robinson should be fun to watch. He is an athletic, disruptive DT. Robinson is another guy who could come alive in a game. I’m curious to see Joe Evans and Jacob Sykes. Both are athletic DTs.

LB – Rookie Smael Mondon is starting to build some hype. I’m excited to see what he can do. I think Jihad Campbell will play. Fangio will want him on the field. He wants to try to get Campbell ready for the regular season. Jeremiah Trotter has a chance to start early this season since Nakobe Dean will be out. Trotter needs to play well and show he’s ready for a bigger role.

S – Sydney Brown is dying to come blow up some runners and receivers. He’ll finally get to do that on Thursday night. The coaches will be more interested to see how he does in coverage. Is he in the right spots? Is he making the right reads? Is he taking good angles? Andre Sam and Tristin McCollum are fighting for a roster spot and playing time. Fangio seems to like McCollum. Rookie Drew Mukuba probably isn’t healthy enough to play this week. We haven’t heard much about UDFA Maxen Hook this summer. He is a guy that really intrigued me so I’m excited to see what he can do.

CB – Ringo vs Jackson. The epic battle for world domination moves to a game setting. Let’s hope Ringo shows us something and is able to take a lead in the competition. Rookie Mac McWilliams could play a lot. It will be interesting to see if he’s in the slot or outside. Eli Ricks needs a good showing to help his cause. UDFA Brandon Johnson has flashed at times in camp and could play a lot as the nickel.

ST – Check out the returners. The coaches could give several guys looks. Suddenly LS is a position of interest. Pay attention to who is snapping.

http://igglesblitz.com/2025/08/2025-preseason-preview/