Five quick takeaways from the Eagles coordinators’ media availability

[ASFN Admin]

After months of waiting, Sean Mannion's era is officially underway in Philadelphia as the first-year offensive coordinator, meeting with local and national media for the first time since replacing Kevin Patullo and beating out 16 other candidates. On Thursday, the Eagles made Mannion, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and special teams coordinator Michael Clay available to the media.

Clay received a new contract after an improved Eagles special team unit had standout moments in 2025, while Vic Fangio nearly walked away from the Eagles and the NFL this offseason.

With OTAs set to begin on Monday, here are five quick takeaways from the coordinators' availability.

Marcus Epps has a fan in Vic Fangio​

The Eagles' safety competition has one certainty, and that's Drew Mukuba will be a starter. Cooper DeJean will play safety in the base defense, but the competition will be between Michael Carter II, who agreed to a renegotiated contract that significantly lowers his $10 million salary cap hit. He could potentially be a player to watch at the safety position. Andre Sam had some momentum, but that momentum slowed after The Eagles signed safety J.T. Gray to a one-year deal, traded Sydney Brown to the Falcons, and re-signed Marcus Epps, continuing to reshape their secondary with experienced depth ahead of the 2026 season. Fangio had pleasant things to say about Epps.

Vic Fangio says he was pleased with the way Marcus Epps played in 2025. “I think he’ll do fine.”

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) May 21, 2026

The Eagles signed Epps to their practice squad at the start of the season and eventually promoted him to the active roster. When rookie Drew Mukuba fractured his ankle, Epps regained his starting role at safety next to Blankenship. Epps started down the stretch for Philadelphia and finished the year with 19 total tackles.

Slight update on Jihaad Campbell​

Campbell had another shoulder procedure and won't be available until training camp.

Vic Fangio says Jihaad Campbell will be ready for Eagles training camp. Might be able to participate in later spring practices, might not.

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) May 21, 2026

A versatile player with a bright future, Campbell played in all 17 games and started 10, logging 80 tackles and one interception to go with a fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Campbell's 76.2 grade from Pro Football Focus was the 13th-best among 88 NFL linebackers, and his presence is the main reason the Eagles can feel comfortable allowing Nakobe Dean to depart in free agency.

Fangio wasn't close to retiring​

"I wasn't close," Fangio said during a Thursday news conference regarding his potential retirement. "I've had those thoughts the last few years. Every year at the end of the year, I just think about it. I never really got serious to where I would've done it. It's no different than I did after the '24 season, after the '23 season. I told the players the other day, we had our annual physical, we get physicals as coaches, and the docs told me I was reverse aging with my lab work and everything that came up. So, I told them you guys are stuck with me for a long while."

Vic Fangio's first two bombshells in his presser -- he said he wasn't that close to retiring and has two more years in him, and that Cooper DeJean will be the safety in base defense.

Also raved about new CB Riq Woolen, so looks like he's expecting Woolen to be outside full time. pic.twitter.com/yIgYwifiqv

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffPMosher) May 21, 2026

Sean Mannion on Jalen Hurts' ability to learn​

Eagles OC Sean Mannion praised Jalen Hurts as “a very capable learner” while discussing their early connection and Hurts' adaptability

This is Eagles OC Sean Mannion, says he and Jalen are connecting and says Hurts is “a very capable learner” evidenced by how he has adjusted to several OCs over the years pic.twitter.com/GzGvtW6TbQ

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) May 21, 2026

Sean Mannion on Jalen Hurts​

New Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion on his relationship with Jalen Hurts. pic.twitter.com/fISzqnxNeq

— Cayden Steele (@cayden_steele19) May 21, 2026

“He can do anything we ask of him,” Eagles first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion says things are going well so far with QB Jalen Hurts.

Sean Mannion on Jalen Hurts:
“He can do anything we ask of him. … He’s hungry for more.” pic.twitter.com/roftBwjYir

— PHLY Eagles (@PHLY_Eagles) May 21, 2026

Vote of confidence for Jake Elliott​

The Eagles reworked Jake Elliott's contract, reducing his base salary to $5 million, guaranteeing the full amount, and lowering his 2026 cap hit by $240K. Elliott was voted second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press in 2023, when he established a single-season franchise record in FG percentage (93.8%). He also set a career high with 135 kicking points (5th in team history).

Elliott successfully made field goals from 41 and 33 yards during Philadelphia's 23-19 wild-card loss to the 49ers, but he missed one of his two extra-point attempts. This missed extra point proved to be crucial, as the Eagles reached the San Francisco 21-yard line on their final possession and would have been in position for a game-tying field goal if Elliott had successfully converted all of his earlier kicks. Elliott missed only one of his 42 extra-point attempts during the regular season, while he made just 74 percent of his field-goal attempts (20-for-27), marking his worst performance since 2020.

On Thursday, he received a vote of confidence.

Eagles ST coordinator Michael Clay says they have confidence in Jake Elliott and didn’t say they’d bring in competition, “For him, it’s getting back to basics and falling in love with the game again.”

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) May 21, 2026

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Sean Mannion headlines Eagles coordinator media availability

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