During the busy week at the Indiana Convention Center, the Philadelphia Eagles made several noteworthy announcements and revealed insights at the 2026 NFL Combine. This event provided updates on coaching hires, player situations, and strategic changes shaping the team’s direction for the coming seasons. Among the major topics covered was how the Eagles secured Sean Mannion as their offensive coordinator, the evolving status of wide receiver A.J. Brown, and an update on Nick Sirianni’s response to Jeff Stoutland’s departure. These developments are central to the Eagles 2026 NFL Combine narrative as the team prepares for upcoming challenges.
Major Coaching Staff Additions and Adjustments
The Eagles bolstered their coaching lineup significantly during the offseason, with Sean Mannion joining as offensive coordinator, along with new coaches Josh Grizzard as passing game coordinator, Chris Kuper on the offensive line, and Ryan Mahaffey overseeing tight ends and run game coordination. The team conducted a thorough search for an offensive coordinator, interviewing 17 candidates, seven of whom advanced to second interviews. Although Grizzard was among the finalists for OC, the Eagles ultimately assigned him to a crucial coordinator role. His prior experience, including a stint as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ passing game coordinator in 2024 and a season as their OC, gave him valuable play-calling experience.
Head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the importance of familiarity within the coaching staff, explaining that Mannion’s ability to bring trusted colleagues aboard would benefit the team.
I think that’s important that you have some familiarity within,
Sirianni said. “Because we’ve had great coaches here. We’ve won a lot of games. And so, of course I’m indebted to the guys that aren’t here at this particular time. But I also think, on the other hand, it’s really important that the coordinator be able to bring in some guys that he feels really good about and that he’s worked with, because that’s worked for us in the past.
And that’s just growing through the job. I feel like you always are looking at yourself to see what mistakes that you’ve made. And I’m like, well, with a couple of guys, maybe I forced some things on them and that didn’t work. So you go the other way and you adjust and maybe you don’t go all the other way, but you adjust a little bit more where you pick it together. And ultimately, at the end of the day, the coordinator needs that familiarity with people.
Maintaining Continuity with Quarterbacks Coach Parks Frazier
While embracing new coaching faces, the Eagles retained Parks Frazier to serve as quarterbacks coach, promoting him from his 2025 role as passing game coordinator. Sirianni noted Frazier’s value in translating terminology and easing the learning curve for players adapting to the new offensive system.
Even though you’re running a new system,
Sirianni said,
there’s a lot of things that you have to translate and you have to say, ‘Hey, do we want to keep these words the same or these words the same for there to be less learning for the players?’ They got to learn a scheme. So how have we done this in the past? He’s a good bridge, I guess, to say within that.
Frazier’s prior experience in a similar offense under Mike McDaniel in Miami and his existing strong rapport with quarterback Jalen Hurts contributed to his selection for the role.
Expanding the Howie Roseman “GM Tree” with Ian Cunningham’s New Role
The Eagles’ general manager, Howie Roseman, saw his influence expand indirectly when Ian Cunningham, formerly the Eagles’ director of player personnel and assistant GM with the Chicago Bears, was hired as the Falcons’ new general manager. Cunningham, who worked under Roseman’s leadership from 2017 to 2021, praised Roseman’s innovative roster-building approach during a combine interview.
He’s awesome, man,
Cunningham said.
He’s energetic, he’s passionate, he loves ball, he’s always thinking. He’s always thinking outside the box. I really take away the roster building and team construction from him and finding different methods in doing that, whether that’s via free agency, whether that’s via a trade or the draft. It feels like he’s always a couple steps forward. Really trying to pick his brain on how he does those things. But I still don’t know.
GM Howie Roseman Publicly Endorses Head Coach Nick Sirianni
During the combine’s press events, Howie Roseman strongly defended head coach Nick Sirianni’s performance amid speculation about potential coaching staff changes. Roseman highlighted Sirianni’s consistency and leadership in guiding the team to five playoff appearances and two Super Bowls over five seasons.
Because I’m kept abreast of what goes on,
Roseman said. “(Senior vice president of communications) Bob (Lange) keeps me posted of what’s going on and I don’t think it’s fair. I think that to be a head coach in the National Football League for five years and to make the playoffs five years and to be in two Super Bowls is hard. I think that a lot of the strengths that he has are things that people don’t get to see that I get to see every day.
I thought it was important to get that out there. To understand what he does. Because I hear it. [Lange] tells me all the time. It’s like, ‘If you’re not the offensive coordinator, you’re not the defensive coordinator, you’re not the special teams coordinator, what do you do as the head coach?’ There’s more to being a head coach than just that. I think that these jobs sometimes it’s like it’s the same in my role. Well, is the GM just scouting? It would be fun if we just sat in our office and just watched players all day. That’s not really the job that I have. That’s part of the job, the fun part of the job. It’s the same thing for him. The things that he does are really a huge part of our success. I thought it was important that that was out there.
Linebacker Josiah Trotter Adds Another Name to the Family Legacy
Josiah Trotter, brother to Jeremiah Jr., continues the family’s football tradition as he prepares to enter the NFL. The 6-foot-2, 237-pound linebacker from Missouri grew up competing with his older brother at St. Joseph’s Prep and carried that competitive spirit into his college career at West Virginia and Missouri.
It was definitely an experience with him,
Josiah shared.
Being the younger brother, sometimes you get beat up. Sometimes you win games, you lose games with him. But it was fun. I love having him as an older brother. He’s the reason I love playing football. Just watching him, he just means a lot to me. He’s a big factor why I’m the player I am today. Just continuing to help me, checking up on me. A lot of the mistakes he made, I was able to learn from him. I appreciate him, growing up with him in the household, just as an older brother.
Broncos Coach Sean Payton Addresses Ongoing Tush Push Debate
Sean Payton offered a candid perspective on the controversial Tush Push play, clarifying that the NFL’s discussion about potentially eliminating the play is not grounded in health and safety concerns. He compared it to the increased risk of kick returns, underscoring the inconsistency in arguments against the Tush Push.
I don’t think the push sneak — I think if that ever goes away, it’s not a health and safety thing,
Payton said.
We discussed that last year for two hours and we just adopted a thousand more kick returns. Which play do you think is more of a health risk? A thousand more kick returns. So I think if we choose to ever move on from that, it won’t be because of health and safety. It will just be like, ‘We don’t like it.’ Which is OK.
Howie Roseman Praises Cooper DeJean’s Versatility and Talent
When asked about the capabilities of nickel cornerback Cooper DeJean, Roseman used strong language to describe his skill set, highlighting his impact on both pass defense and run support. Roseman suggested DeJean’s athleticism is exceptional enough to have potential in other football positions as well.
Elite. Elite player at the nickel position,
Roseman said.
So when you have someone who’s elite at something and you move him, he could be elite as an outside corner too, but what he’s able to affect the run game, he’s able to affect the pass game, the screen game from there. You just see the difference that he makes in that role. Then when he plays outside, very little separation, he’s got size, speed, unique athletic ability. I joked that he could be an elite receiver. He’d probably be an elite quarterback too. I’ve seen him throw the ball too. Just an elite athlete with elite character and just happy he’s a Philadelphia Eagle.
Backup Quarterback Tanner McKee Could Generate Trade Interest
Alongside trade rumors around A.J. Brown, the Eagles may see interest in backup quarterback Tanner McKee, whose rookie contract expires after the 2026 season. Although the Eagles remain confident in McKee, Roseman confirmed the team is open to listening to offers.
I can’t speak to what everyone else thinks of our players,
Roseman said.
I know what we think of our players. That’s always been a position that we’ve put a great deal of priority on, to have a backup quarterback that we have a lot of confidence in. We have a lot of confidence in him. Again, I go back to how we started this conversation. My job is to listen to anything about anyone. Whether I pull the trigger is a totally different story.
Toledo Connection: Quinyon Mitchell and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Quinyon Mitchell’s selection as a first-round pick in 2024 made him the first player from Toledo to achieve that distinction. His teammate Emmanuel McNeil-Warren looks to follow in his footsteps in 2026 and finds motivation in Mitchell’s success.
It means everything,
McNeil-Warren said.
He’s our motivation for real. He just pushed us to be great, pushed us to work hard every day and be the best person we can be.
McNeil-Warren maintains strong ties with Mitchell and other Toledo defensive backs, exchanging football insights and life advice in daily group chats. Choosing to stay loyal to Toledo rather than transfer to a bigger program, McNeil-Warren’s commitment exemplifies his faith in his roots as a path to the NFL.
A.J. Brown’s Possible Trade and His Relationship with Mike Vrabel
Rumors continue to swirl about a potential trade involving A.J. Brown, with the New England Patriots among the speculated landing spots. Brown’s relationship with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who coached him in Tennessee, adds an intriguing layer to trade discussions.
It has meant a lot,
Vrabel said.
I’ve watched him grow. I’ve watched him mature. I’m proud of him, proud of the father that he is. I’m proud of the husband. That has nothing to do with where he plays or where he played. Those are the things that are important. We reach out and text each other during the good things that happen to each other. Sometimes things don’t go so well for the people that you’re close with, and you text for those as well. It’s a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us to where we are here today.
Critical Decisions Loom for the Tight End Position in 2026
The Eagles face an important offseason ahead involving several tight ends, including pending free agents Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Kylen Granson. Combined with a strategic shift in offensive schemes, this position is poised for significant transformation.
GM Howie Roseman reflected on past roster construction choices related to tight ends, recognizing the need for a more versatile group to complement the evolving game style.
The tight end position starts with me in evolving,
Roseman said.
I think that, from my perspective, I’ve always had an affinity for the receiving tight ends. I think that’s show in my work. Unfortunately for me, I can’t hide behind anything but the product we put out there, which I’m proud of. I think that’s also something as you evolve as a GM, as an evaluator and you watch what’s out there, you’ve got to be cognizant of the fact that at some levels the game has changed. There’s certainly room for both of those spots. I think when you look at our room this year, probably needed more of a diverse skillset at that position. All good players that we had there but probably could have used that.
Denied Opportunity to Interview Cowboys OC Klayton Adams in OC Search
During the extensive offensive coordinator search, the Eagles requested to interview Cowboys OC Klayton Adams. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer declined the request shortly after a call from Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
Don’t bother, buddy. I’m going to have to deny you on that one.
The two coaches handled the exchange amicably, eventually shifting to lighter personal topics. Despite the blocked interview, the Eagles proceeded with an exhaustive search that included 17 candidates before selecting Mannion.
New Challenges Ahead as Sean Mannion Prepares for First Year Calling Plays
The 2026 season will mark Sean Mannion’s debut as an NFL play-caller. This transition carries its own set of challenges and uncertainties, especially considering the team’s recent struggles with first-time coordinators. Former OC Shane Steichen, currently head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, shared his perspective on what first-time play-callers must master.
I think it’s learning your guys,
Steichen said. “When you’re a first-time coordinator calling it, if you go into a new situation it’s really learning your personnel is a big part of it and how you want to use those guys. And then from a down-and-distance point, how you’re setting up plays, varying plays, play-action, when to call certain things.
There’s an element and there’s a feel to calling plays as well. You have your list of plays, you have your third downs, you have your red-zone section and sometimes you may be like, ‘Hey, I’m going to call this here my first time I get in the red zone,’ but all of a sudden they change personnel on defense and it’s like, ‘Well, I’m not going to call that play here.’ You’ve got to be able to adjust on the fly. Think fast is a big part of it. Once you get in the flow of it and you start to feel it, obviously if guys are good at it and you’ve got good personnel to run it, it could be really good.
League-Wide Respect for Sean Mannion Despite Uncertainty
Throughout the combine, Mannion was widely regarded with respect and admiration by coaches across the NFL. Although many expressed uncertainty about how his first season as offensive coordinator in Philadelphia will unfold, none offered negative remarks about his character or professionalism. This consensus signals strong confidence in Mannion’s potential impact for the Eagles moving forward.
