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PHILADELPHIA − It's just the second day of Eagles training camp, so that's certainly a caveat for everybody, not just a rookie fourth-string quarterback in Cole Payton.
Especially when everyone is trying to learn a new offense under first-year coordinator Sean Mannion.
The Eagles' offense as a whole had its share of problems against the defense, already considered one of the top units in the NFL. And the defense very comfortable in its third season under coordinator Vic Fangio.
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So you can take Payton's three interceptions during the July 30 practice with a grain of salt, especially since Payton completed two nice passes in the first practice on July 29 when he got a chance during what the Eagles call their "developmental period."
But there are still some warning signs that became apparent on July 30 for the Eagles' fifth-round pick out of North Dakota State.
For one, Payton got some regular reps during the course of the practice, as opposed to the end. He threw interceptions on back-to-back passes. His first one deflected off the hands of his intended receiver and into the arms of edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, so that wasn't all Payton's fault. His second was an overthrow that LB Chance Campbell picked off.
Then near the end of practice, Payton appeared to force a pass into coverage that edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby intercepted.
Here's where it can be problematic for the Eagles.
As Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton battle for the No. 2 job (they have been rotating with the second and third units so far), the Eagles could actually trade one of them and get a mid-round draft pick in return. That would appear to be more likely by trading McKee, especially as the regular season approaches with the possibility of a QB on another team getting hurt.
Remember, the Eagles had to trade for Sam Howell last season after McKee broke his thumb in training camp. McKee wasn't ready until Week 3. The Eagles were not willing to allow Kyle McCord, their sixth-round pick last season, to serve as Hurts' backup. They waived McCord, then signed him to the practice squad. Now, he's with Green Bay.
So the possibility of trading McKee could be dependent on Payton showing that he can be a No. 3 QB. McKee did as a rookie in 2023 when the Eagles made him their sixth-round draft pick.
Payton, of course, should get plenty more chances, especially in the three preseason games. But if he doesn't improve, would the Eagles be reluctant to trade McKee?
JALEN CARTER'S BIG DEAL: This Eagles player's future is most affected by Jalen Carter contract
DAY 1 OBSERVATIONS: Eagles Day 1 training camp observations. Jalen Hurts shows new wrinkle
It's hard to get a clear indication on a running back's effectiveness in helmets and shorts. But it sure seemed like Bigsby, who emerged as the No. 2 running back last season to Saquon Barkley, had three runs that would have been long gainers in a game.
If the Eagles are interested in preserving Barkley more this season, Bigsby is showing that they can at least give him a a few series during a game. That could benefit the Eagles over the course of a long season and possibly playoffs.
As we mentioned above, Hurts seemed to have a more difficult time in Day 2 compared to Day 1. He held the ball longer, scrambled out of trouble and either ran out of bounds or threw the ball away.
That, of course, could be attributed to the coverage on the back end, especially with cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen and Cooper DeJean.
As for Mitchell, who was named an All Pro last season, Fangio said he's picking up where he left off last season. DeJean was also an All Pro. He said Fangio's system is still evolving, even though there's a comfort level in Year 3.
"We’re still trying to evolve within our defense, trying to do new things, expand on what we do in our coverages," DeJean said. "We’re still learning. That’s the biggest thing. That’s what I love about Coach Vic. He’s always trying to add things, see what we can do."
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles rookie QB throws 3 INTs, and why it matters. Camp observations
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Especially when everyone is trying to learn a new offense under first-year coordinator Sean Mannion.
The Eagles' offense as a whole had its share of problems against the defense, already considered one of the top units in the NFL. And the defense very comfortable in its third season under coordinator Vic Fangio.
Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets
So you can take Payton's three interceptions during the July 30 practice with a grain of salt, especially since Payton completed two nice passes in the first practice on July 29 when he got a chance during what the Eagles call their "developmental period."
But there are still some warning signs that became apparent on July 30 for the Eagles' fifth-round pick out of North Dakota State.
For one, Payton got some regular reps during the course of the practice, as opposed to the end. He threw interceptions on back-to-back passes. His first one deflected off the hands of his intended receiver and into the arms of edge rusher A.J. Epenesa, so that wasn't all Payton's fault. His second was an overthrow that LB Chance Campbell picked off.
Then near the end of practice, Payton appeared to force a pass into coverage that edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby intercepted.
Here's where it can be problematic for the Eagles.
As Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton battle for the No. 2 job (they have been rotating with the second and third units so far), the Eagles could actually trade one of them and get a mid-round draft pick in return. That would appear to be more likely by trading McKee, especially as the regular season approaches with the possibility of a QB on another team getting hurt.
Remember, the Eagles had to trade for Sam Howell last season after McKee broke his thumb in training camp. McKee wasn't ready until Week 3. The Eagles were not willing to allow Kyle McCord, their sixth-round pick last season, to serve as Hurts' backup. They waived McCord, then signed him to the practice squad. Now, he's with Green Bay.
So the possibility of trading McKee could be dependent on Payton showing that he can be a No. 3 QB. McKee did as a rookie in 2023 when the Eagles made him their sixth-round draft pick.
Payton, of course, should get plenty more chances, especially in the three preseason games. But if he doesn't improve, would the Eagles be reluctant to trade McKee?
JALEN CARTER'S BIG DEAL: This Eagles player's future is most affected by Jalen Carter contract
DAY 1 OBSERVATIONS: Eagles Day 1 training camp observations. Jalen Hurts shows new wrinkle
Tank Bigsby has big day
It's hard to get a clear indication on a running back's effectiveness in helmets and shorts. But it sure seemed like Bigsby, who emerged as the No. 2 running back last season to Saquon Barkley, had three runs that would have been long gainers in a game.
If the Eagles are interested in preserving Barkley more this season, Bigsby is showing that they can at least give him a a few series during a game. That could benefit the Eagles over the course of a long season and possibly playoffs.
Eagles DBs have a big day
As we mentioned above, Hurts seemed to have a more difficult time in Day 2 compared to Day 1. He held the ball longer, scrambled out of trouble and either ran out of bounds or threw the ball away.
That, of course, could be attributed to the coverage on the back end, especially with cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen and Cooper DeJean.
As for Mitchell, who was named an All Pro last season, Fangio said he's picking up where he left off last season. DeJean was also an All Pro. He said Fangio's system is still evolving, even though there's a comfort level in Year 3.
"We’re still trying to evolve within our defense, trying to do new things, expand on what we do in our coverages," DeJean said. "We’re still learning. That’s the biggest thing. That’s what I love about Coach Vic. He’s always trying to add things, see what we can do."
Other Day 2 camp observations
- Dontayvion Wicks had the catch of the day. As Hurts scrambled to his left, he threw a deep ball off his back foot that wobbled high in the air. Wicks outleaped two defenders, hauled the pass in, then landed on his back and held on.
- DeVonta Smith, taking over the WR1 role, had a nice leaping pass on the sideline to snare a Hurts pass.
- McKee had a good streak of passes to Hollywood Brown over the middle, then to Will Shipley and Britain Covey.
- The Eagles suffered their first injury of practice when tackle Cam Williams, the Eagles' sixth-round pick in 2025, hurt his leg. Williams declined being carried off on a cart. But he did walk slowly and gingerly to the medical tent, and then inside to the facility.
- Second-year CB Mac McWilliams did a nice job breaking up a pass over the middle to TE Cameron Latu.
- The Eagles have a walk-through practice on July 31 that's closed to the media. They'll have a full practice on Aug. 1 at the Jefferson Health Training Complex.
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles rookie QB throws 3 INTs, and why it matters. Camp observations
Continue reading...
