The Eagles begin organized team activities this week, carrying familiar expectations but facing a very different set of questions. Philadelphia enters the spring following an uneven 2025 offensive season, major coaching changes, and roster decisions that could reshape the franchise heading toward training camp. OTAs are scheduled for May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, and June 4, before the mandatory minicamp arrives June 9-10. While helmets-and-shorts practices rarely offer definitive answers, they often provide the first clues about how an offseason vision is beginning to materialize.
From Jalen Hurts adapting to another offensive overhaul to uncertainty surrounding A.J. Brown and multiple position competitions, here are seven storylines worth monitoring as Philadelphia returns to the practice field.
1. Jalen Hurts is learning another offense
Every Eagles offseason somehow circles back to Hurts adjusting to new voices and offensive philosophies.
Whether fueled by coordinator departures following success or organizational change following disappointment, Philadelphia has repeatedly asked its franchise quarterback to recalibrate. That challenge returns again in 2026.
Hurts has already begun building chemistry with offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and is benefiting from the additions of Josh Grizzard and quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson. The Eagles hope continuity surrounding Hurts can finally create long-term offensive stability after a 2025 season that featured too many stretches of inconsistency.
Despite fielding elite talent, Philadelphia finished 19th in scoring offense and 24th in total offense last season. The organization acknowledged the production dip by moving on from Kevin Patullo after one season and conducting an extensive offensive coordinator search. Head coach Nick Sirianni interviewed 17 candidates before landing on Mannion. The early OTA practices offer the first opportunity to evaluate how comfortable Hurts looks operating inside a system heavily influenced by the Mike Shanahan-Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay offensive tree.
Timing. Communication. Operation.
Those details matter in May before they become critical in September.
2. A.J. Brown’s future remains unresolved
The biggest roster storyline entering OTAs may involve a player who is not expected to participate. Brown’s future remains uncertain as Philadelphia continues evaluating whether moving the All-Pro receiver makes financial and organizational sense.
The June 1 calendar date matters significantly.
A trade before June 1 would have dramatically increased Philadelphia’s immediate cap burden. A post-June 1 move spreads dead money across two seasons and creates additional flexibility moving forward. If the Eagles move Brown after June 1, they would save roughly $7 million in 2026 cap space while carrying approximately $16 million in dead money this season and more than $27 million next season. Philadelphia aggressively reshaped the position room this offseason.
Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, and Elijah Moore join a group headlined by DeVonta Smith, while rookie Makai Lemon appears positioned to claim immediate offensive snaps. Brown’s absence from OTAs could become one of the defining stories of the spring.
3. Sean Mannion and Philadelphia’s offensive transformation
The Eagles did not simply hire a new coordinator; they committed to an offensive philosophical shift.
Mannion spent nine seasons in the NFL as a backup quarterback before transitioning into coaching. Philadelphia repeatedly highlighted his 11 years of league experience after making the hire, signaling organizational belief that his playing background and system familiarity can accelerate growth. The Shanahan-inspired structure emphasizes timing, spacing, play sequencing, and maximizing offensive flexibility.
The Eagles believe that approach better fits their current roster construction.
OTAs offer the first on-field glimpse into how Mannion plans to deploy personnel packages, motion concepts, and quarterback operation. Philadelphia invested heavily in offensive infrastructure around Hurts. The next step involves translating vision into production. No coordinator storyline matters more.
4. Life after Jeff Stoutland begins
For the first time in over a decade, Jeff Stoutland is not overseeing Philadelphia’s offensive line. That reality makes new offensive line coach Chris Kuper one of the most fascinating figures of the spring.
The Eagles still possess one of football’s premier offensive foundations with Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, and Landon Dickerson anchoring the group. Philadelphia has invested heavily in maintaining offensive line excellence through draft resources, coaching development, and succession planning.
But sustaining elite standards remains difficult. The Eagles also need developmental players to emerge. Third-round selection Markel Bell enters an important spring alongside Myles Hinton and Drew Kendall. Philadelphia’s offensive line pipeline has historically separated the organization from competitors. OTAs provide the first opportunity to evaluate whether that developmental model remains intact.
5. Injuries and participation levels
Attendance matters. Availability matters even more.
Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson both underwent stem cell treatments in Colombia during the offseason. Their health remains critical entering 2026. Jihaad Campbell could remain sidelined until training camp while recovering from shoulder surgery. Drew Mukuba ended last season on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
OTAs rarely demand panic. They do provide important context.
Seeing who participates fully, who remains limited, and who stays entirely off the field offers valuable insight into the organization’s confidence in player recovery timelines. The Eagles also expect to get first looks at newcomers, including Jonathan Greenard, Riq Woolen, and Dontayvion Wicks. Veteran additions including Hollywood Brown (No. 0), Elijah Moore (No. 19), Jonathan Jones (No. 32) and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (No. 57) will also make their first on-field impressions.
6. Makai Lemon’s immediate role
Few rookies enter OTAs positioned for early offensive involvement quite like Lemon. The former USC playmaker brings explosiveness, versatility, and dynamic run-after-catch ability that aligns naturally with Philadelphia’s offensive redesign. The Eagles clearly envision Lemon playing immediately.
The OTA period offers the first clues about how creative Mannion plans to be in deploying the rookie. Philadelphia spent much of the offseason reshaping offensive speed and versatility. Lemon represents a central part of that vision. The role could grow quickly.
7. Position battles begin taking shape
Roster competition defines spring football. Several positions deserve close attention. Safety remains arguably Philadelphia’s biggest concern after Reed Blankenship departed in free agency. Drew Mukuba projects as one starter entering his second season, but competition remains wide open. Marcus Epps enters as an early favorite while Michael Carter II, Andre’ Sam, J.T. Gray, and rookie Cole Wisniewski compete for opportunities. Philadelphia could still add a veteran later this summer.
Wide receiver carries equal intrigue. DeVonta Smith remains the established centerpiece. Lemon appears positioned for meaningful work. Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson, and Darius Cooper all enter important evaluation periods. Backup offensive guard and center also remain unsettled. Fred Johnson returns as Philadelphia’s swing tackle, but Bell, Kendall, and multiple young linemen enter meaningful developmental opportunities.
OTAs rarely determine final roster decisions. They do establish momentum. The Eagles enter 2026 searching for offensive consistency, healthier foundational pieces, and a smoother transition into another philosophical reset. Over the next two weeks, Philadelphia will begin discovering whether those goals are becoming a reality.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Seven Eagles storylines to monitor during OTAs and June
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