There are some considerable questions about the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, despite their 11-6 record in 2025, but one has not been discussed nearly enough.
FOX Sports NFL reporter Ralph Vacchiano is finally getting to the Eagles offseason question that should be asked more than whether wide receiver A.J. Brown should be traded or if the team should draft a quarterback in the second round. Vacchiano's question is whether Philly can thrive without former offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who left the team.
"Perhaps the biggest earthquake in years in the NFC East came from a social media post that ended with "Stout Out." Stoutland is one of the finest offensive line coaches ever, and he’s a big reason why the Eagles’ line has been dominant for years. It did regress a bit last season, though, and key players such as 35-year-old right tackle Lane Johnson are getting older and more fragile. Normally, they would have just trusted Stout to figure it out and kept the conveyor belt of talent rolling. But with the revered coach out, can they still piece things together? Because, at heart, the Eagles are a running team. Without a strong front, they won’t be the same."
Eagles must answer offseason question about offensive line
Stoutland is off somewhere instead of being with the Eagles, still after the drama of him reportedly being removed as run game coordinator at some point last season. Now, the Eagles have former Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper replacing Stoutland in that role.
Kuper has his work cut out for him, as he has to deal with an offensive line with more questions than ever. Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Lane Johnson all have injury concerns, with Dickerson and Johnson nearly retiring before deciding to return in 2026. Jurgens went overseas to help with his health issues.
Jordan Mailata is the only one without any issues and should be the long-term starter at left tackle. Tyler Steen had an average first season at right guard and might have a chance to develop, but he is behind the pace of everyone else.
The most important thing about this offseason is making sure the Eagles have the right pieces in place in the future at the offensive line. That means using multiple draft picks to secure Johnson's eventual replacement and potentially a guard to step in for Steen if he struggles or Dickerson if he retires due to injury.
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There's no doubt Kuper has his work cut out for him and has massive shoes to fill to replace Stoutland. Anything short of what the Eagles have done over the last 13 years with Stoutland will have Kuper on the hot seat quicker than any assistant coach in the NFL.