Overview

• Philadelphia announced eight captains for 2025: Jake Elliott, Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, A.J. Brown, Zack Baun, Saquon Barkley, and Reed Blankenship.
• The defending Super Bowl LIX champions open the season against Dallas on Sept. 4 as they begin their bid to repeat.
• Analysts spotlight a challenging early slate that includes the Chiefs, Rams, Buccaneers, and Broncos, with projections calling for more tests than in 2024.
• ESPN projections label the Cowboys’ defense as one of the league’s weakest after major departures, heightening scrutiny of Week 1.
• Offensively, Kevin Patullo takes over as coordinator and added running back depth (including AJ Dillon and a larger role for Will Shipley) is expected to help manage Saquon Barkley’s workload, while Vic Fangio’s front seven remains a strength despite questions at CB2 and edge.