The Philadelphia Eagles have only one more preseason game to prove themselves against the Cincinnati Bengals before final decisions are made.
Some players are fighting to stay on the roster and keep their football dreams alive. The others, though, are looking to build momentum heading into the 2026 season or need extra momentum before sitting on the bench all year.
Philly has six players who really need to play in the final preseason game and get those snaps for any reason. Here's a look at why each of those six needs to be on the field.
Which Eagles need to play on the field entering preseason finale?
Eli Stowers, TE
It's been a rough start for Stowers at OTAs and training camp. He's just not producing the kind of numbers Eagles fans were hoping he would when they drafted him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. If he can get healthy and back on the field one more time and make some big catches, it might give him the momentum he needs entering the 2026 regular season.
Fred Johnson, OT
Johnson hasn't had a bad training camp and preseason, but it feels like a lot of the younger guys are outperforming him. Looking at Markel Bell, Jake Majors, Willie Lampkin, and Drew Kendall, they are getting way more buzz than Johnson. There is no way Johnson gets left off the roster, but he could use a good performance before the year begins.
Smael Mondon Jr., LB
This isn't about Mondon's performance, as he has played well in training camp and preseason. It's more about him getting the valuable reps he needs before spending most of the 2026 season on special teams. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. took this same route, and it worked out well for him. Mondon might be following a similar path to more playing time in 2027 and beyond.
Mac McWilliams, CB
McWilliams is having a bad preseason and needs a good game under his belt. He could still be in line to make the 53-man roster since he is a draft pick, but he hasn't been good. In the open practice the Eagles just had, he was limited, so it'll be worth monitoring if he plays. He should fight to get on the field, though.
Kelee Ringo, CB
Ringo was slightly better in the 24-21 preseason loss to the New England Patriots in Week 2, but overall, he has not been good. That one interception in the Baltimore Ravens game is really bailing him out, so if the Eagles really want to keep him, Ringo just needs a good game under his belt to feel good entering the season.
Read more: Eagles fans saw 5 big winners (and one concern) from their open practice
Andy Dalton, QB
This feels like a no-brainer after the kind of rough preseason he has been having, with him completing just 6-of-16 passes. Another go might help Dalton a bit if he wants to make the team or boost his trade value. He may not play, but the hope is he does and can bounce back.
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