2) Will Eagles’ new-look offensive line answer the Bell?
What a difference a week makes.
In the days after Philadelphia posted just 172 total yards of offense, its offensive line endured major upheaval. First came Cam Jurgens entering concussion protocol on Monday. Then it was the shock wave of Lane Johnson‘s abrupt retirement on Tuesday, followed by Jurgens being shipped to Baltimore on Wednesday in a trade that netted Philly a valuable 2028 second-rounder.
Seemingly overnight, the O-line has taken a new shape, and there’s no telling how it will play in its first game under the spotlight.
The new arrangement features, in order, left tackle Jordan Mailata, the elder statesman at 29; second-year left guard Willie Lampkin; second-year center Jake Majors, who’s filling for injured second-year center Drew Kendall; right guard Tyler Steen; and rookie right tackle Markel Bell, who surely hopes to be uncrackable in his new role, as opposed to Philly’s other famous bell.
Some have seen the Jurgens trade as the Eagles giving up on the 2026 season, sending a versatile starter away for picks. But Howie Roseman insisted this week that “nothing has changed” and Philly wants to win “this year.”
The road forward starts on Sunday against a Jaguars defense, led by DC Anthony Campanile, that has stymied opponents this season. Jacksonville has accumulated 41 pressures without blitzing (tied for fifth in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats), while Philly’s O-line, as previously constructed, allowed 12 sacks (fourth-most) and a 43.2% pressure rate (third-highest, per NGS).
Life has been hard enough for the Eagles without Johnson alone; since 2024, Philly has averaged 4.8 yards per carry with Johnson on the field, compared to 4.0 without him.
The pressure is quite literally on. How will Philly respond?