Things may not be perfect through five practices at Philadelphia Eagles training camp, but there are still a lot of good things happening to keep fans excited for the season.
Once Jalen Hurts and the Eagles' wide receivers can consistently be on the same page, this offense is going to be dangerous. The defense is already looking elite, from the defensive line to the secondary.
There was one concern about the secondary entering Eagles training camp, though, that had everyone worried. Now it may be something they can work with in 2026.
Are the Eagles' safeties better than fans expected early on in training camp?
Losing Reed Blankenship in free agency was a crushing blow to the Eagles. Not having a veteran back there who played at a high level made everyone say that safety is the biggest weakness on the team.
Going into training camp, 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba was a lock to be one of the starting safeties. The other one was going to be a battle between Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II.
SportsRadio 94 WIP Eagles reporter Eliot Shorr-Parks gave his analysis of the team's Day 5 practice. Instead of focusing on the offensive struggles, Shorr-Parks went all in on the safeties and how well they have played in training camp so far.
"So far through practice, I think the safety position has actually been one of the strengths on this team. Uh, Andrew Mukuba is having an awesome camp. He is all over the ball. It feels like two, three times a practice he is forcing an incompletion. He's right there to help a pass fall incomplete, and you can see like the physical ball-hawking nature of his game really shining. And then today, Michael Carter came away with an interception. Michael Carter did an excellent job, uh, reading the ball from Jalen Hurts. He got over in time. Not the best throw from Jalen. Michael Carter jumps up, gets it, was able to return it quite a bit.
"If Mukuba is a good safety— and look, he was a second-round pick, he's looked good so far— if Michael Carter transitions well to safety, and I think he's been good so far, and Marcus Epps is just Marcus Epps, which is a solid veteran player, the safety position is actually not looking like a weakness on this team."
Mukuba is the big factor in this safety position. He has to be the playmaker that he was advertised to be when the Eagles drafted him. Last year, he showed signs of that by collecting interceptions, sacks, and more, but that has to be elevated in Year 2.
Epps feels like the favorite to win the other spot since he played well enough at the end of last year to earn it. Carter is coming on strong in training camp, though, and could make the position more competitive than expected.
Regardless, this news is exactly what the Eagles needed for them to take the next step in 2026. They have their defensive line secure for the next five years, and their linebackers are primed for a strong season. Their cornerbacks will eventually land long-term deals next offseason and stick around for a long time.
Read more: 4 Eagles players dominating camp and 3 who are fading quickly
The safety position might end up being the position that gets rotated in and out, but that's okay because Mukuba, Epps, and Carter are making it easy for general manager Howie Roseman to not touch the position for the moment. If they can keep up this high play, it will only give Roseman more ammunition to improve at another position. The three safeties are doing the Eagles a huge solid and must keep the momentum going at camp.
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