After pushing the boundaries of what a light, health-conscious offseason training regimen may look like, the Philadelphia Eagles are returning to the pack, thanks to a nudge from old-school defensive coach Vic Fangio.
Some changes will be visible at training camp later this month, when the Eagles are anticipated to spend more time on the field after reducing the amount of practices and length of sessions in past years.
“We’re probably on the low end of time out [on the field],” coach Nick Sirianni stated. “There are teams at the top end. And I believe we need to come up with some.
The Eagles prioritize avoiding injuries during training camp, so they often fall short of the collective labor agreement’s 2½-hour padded practice limit. Philadelphia’s fast-paced practices often last an hour or less, and the schedule includes more days off and practices without full pads than is necessary.
That strategy performed well heading into the 2022 season. The Eagles started the season 8-0 and advanced to Super Bowl LVII. All 22 of their initial starters appeared in that game.
They went a step further in 2023, limiting the frequency of back-to-back workouts while increasing the number of walkthroughs during camp. Nonetheless, they began 5-0 and won ten of their first eleven games.
However, they appeared out of sync early and were inches away from losing the opener against the New England Patriots, who concluded the season with a 4-13 record. Sirianni later expressed remorse for not playing quarterback Jalen Hurts and other important starters in the preseason, stating that he would “definitely reevaluate some of the preseason stuff next year.”
After a 1-6 collapse down the stretch, the organization fired offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinator Sean Desai and replaced them with Kellen Moore and Fangio, highlighting the need for increased summer activity. With new strategies being introduced on both sides of the ball, the Eagles staged a three-day minicamp in June, despite not doing so the previous two years.
During his first press conference since being named defensive coordinator, Fangio suggested he asked Sirianni for more offseason sessions.
“You’ve got to make do with what you got,” he told me, “but I keep pushing for more.”
The 65-year-old Fangio was also asked about how his players have changed over the course of his 40-year coaching career.
“They really haven’t changed very much at all,” he informed me. “What has changed is the people they are with. People no longer expect as much from players as they once did. These players will work hard and give you everything they have, within reason. It begins at a young age, when they are in high school, college, or anywhere else — less is more, so conserve your energy. In the NBA, you hear about load management. I’ve talked to coaches from other sports I know, and it drives them insane.
“The players are ready to work. Never had a problem with that. And they are still willing to work. But we, the so-called grownups in the room, need to push them.”
Fangio stated that he is not recommending that the Eagles return to full-pad two-a-days, but it is evident that his preferences do not completely coincide with the more modern method.
Perhaps the sweet spot lies in the middle. And the Eagles are getting closer to that this offseason.
“I believe what is most essential is that we do not overcorrect. Sirianni cautioned against overcorrecting. “You need to adjust. “You need to evolve.”