Eagles hope changes on offense lead to another run to the Super Bowl

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-7)

Behind a record-breaking season from running back Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles featured a rush-heavy offense on the way to the franchise’s second Super Bowl victory in the 2024 season. But the ground game went stagnant last season, and quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown could not make enough explosive plays to avoid a frustrating season that ended with a disappointing wild-card round playoff exit. The result? Changes on offense, both in terms of personnel, coaches and scheme.

Brown, often unhappy with his role last season as seen with his public comments and posts on social media, was traded to New England. Fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was replaced with Sean Mannion. Philadelphia also parted ways with longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. Coach Nick Sirianni has repeatedly spoken about the need for explosive plays, something the new offense is said to feature, but Mannion’s scheme remains a bit of a mystery following a vanilla approach in three preseason games that did not feature Hurts, Barkley, Smith, and many other regulars. Philadelphia’s offense will be different. Time will tell if it will be better.

With star power up and down the lineup, led by Hurts, the Eagles are expected to be a contender for the franchise’s third Super Bowl. But after last season’s offensive struggles, there are some questions the Eagles will first need to answer on that side of the ball.

Hurts remains a dual threat after combining for 33 touchdowns last season, 25 of which came through the air and eight on the ground. He threw just six interceptions last season, though some have called for him to be more aggressive through the air. Hurts also will have to thrive without Brown.

WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, WR Makai Lemon, WR Dontayvion Wicks, CB Riq Woolen, OLB Jonathan Greenard, OC Sean Mannion.

WR A.J. Brown, Edge Jaelan Phillips, LB Nakobe Dean, S Reed Blankenship.

Despite parting with longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, the Eagles offensive front remains strong under new coach Chris Kuper. The unit is anchored by 36-year-old Lane Johnson at right tackle. The six-time Pro Bowl selection indicated at the start of training camp that this is “probably” his final season before retiring. Alongside Johnson are expected to be LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson, C Cam Jurgens and RG Tyler Steen. The group is talented and experienced. Philadelphia also is stout on the interior of the defensive line with tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. The former University of Georgia teammates both received contract extensions this offseason with Carter getting $106 million guaranteed and Davis getting $65 million guaranteed.

Philadelphia’s defense, generally, is expected to be strong, but there are question marks at safety after the departure of starter Reed Blankenship this offseason. Blankenship, an undrafted free agent who started 50 games over the past four seasons and had nine interceptions, signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal with the Houston Texans. The Eagles likely will rely on 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba to fill Blankenship’s role. Philadelphia’s depth at the position took a hit in its final preseason game when safety Andre’ Sam was carted off the field with a knee injury and subsequently waived (injured). There also are some questions about the backup quarterback position after neither Tanner McKee nor Andy Dalton impressed during three preseason games.

First-round pick Makai Lemon, selected to help replace Brown at wide receiver, missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury. The USC product won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top college receiver last season when he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lemon finally returned to practice for the final week of camp, and the Eagles certainly are hoping for a healthy Lemon for Week 1 as they look to fill in the production vacated by Brown, who caught 339 passes for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns in four years with the Eagles. But Philadelphia will have to hope it gets more from Lemon than he showed in the preseason finale against Cincinnati on Aug. 28. Seeing his first NFL action, Lemon caught three passes for 3 yards on five targets and dropped a McKee pass that was intercepted.

Smith will likely become the No. 1 receiver. He has topped 1,000 yards receiving in three of his five seasons with the club, totaling 5,019 yards and 31 touchdowns in Philadelphia. He likely will get even more targets, and potentially more deep targets in new coordinator Mannion’s offense. But he also likely will be the focus of the opposition’s top cornerback.

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Philadelphia Eagles running backs Saquon Barkley, left, and Will Shipley (28) perform field drills during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts participates in an interview on the sidelines during the first half of a preseason against the Cincinnati Bengals on NFL football game Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks during a news conference after a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, center, performs field drills during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) warms up with teammates during a joint NFL football practice with the New England Patriots, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — At least one person was killed and six others injured in a shooting at an apartment building in downtown Minneapolis shooting, according to officials.

The Minneapolis Police Department warned the public to stay away from the area and said two police officers were among those wounded.

Video posted to social media showed police aiming rifles upward at an apartment tower near the Minneapolis Convention Center. Officials warned residents to avoid the densely populated Loring Park neighborhood nearby.

No additional information was immediately released about the conditions of those wounded.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in a post on social media that state officials are on the ground helping local law enforcement respond to the shooting.

“Grateful to law enforcement actively working to ensure the safety of our neighbors in Downtown Minneapolis this afternoon,” Walz said. “Minnesota is praying for our first responders.”

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth said she is praying for the victims of “this heinous crime.”

“I’m incredibly thankful for the massive response of our brave law enforcement officers,” she said in a post on social media.

AP journalists Hallie Golden and Mark Vancleave contributed to this report.

Law enforcement respond to a shooting Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in downtown Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Police respond to a shooting Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in downtown Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)