Returning Eagles in contract seasons who probably won't make the 53-man roster

We made it! Every member of the Philadelphia Eagles roster and every coach on the staff is back. Training camp is underway. Veterans and rookies have reported, and it's time for optimism.

We won't say every NFL team has a shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy, regardless of what league offices want you to believe, but Philly ranks among the true contenders. All 32 squads are 0-0 as we begin work.

We have talked about the Birds' roster and how stacked it is ad nauseam. There are depth concerns at some positions, but there are also stars at every position.

A 90-man roster will have to be trimmed to 53 players and a 16-man practice squad by September... or in Philly's case, 17 players. An international player, Laekin Vakalahim, is a special exemption and won't count towards that scout team's player count.

Ultimately, Philly will have to part with good players and familiar faces. Roster cuts often mean we have to play the numbers game and say goodbye to guys we've gotten to know over the years.

Here are a few worth mentioning.

Also read: The Eagles' best early contenders for each major NFL postseason award

Zech McPhearson

Much has changed since this time last July. In 2023, most believed Zech McPhearson would make the team as Avonte Maddox's backup at the slot cornerback position. Then, he tore his Achilles versus the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game. He was waived on August 19th and placed on the injured reserve afterwards.

Since then, Isiah Rodgers' suspension has been lifted. Philly also drafted Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Nothing looks promising for McPhearson. He most certainly isn't one of the top seven cornerbacks on the Eagles depth chart.

Patrick Johnson

Typically, when NFL teams draft players in the seventh round, they're just hoping to get lucky. No one expects those guys to make rosters and be productive. That being said, Patrick Johnson should already be proud of himself no matter what happens.

A seventh-round draft choice in 2021, he played 111 and 213 snaps in 2021 and 2022 respectively. He has also evolved into one of the Eagles better special teams players. He has played 254 snaps, 315 snaps, and 299 snaps for Michael Clay's unit during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 NFL seasons. That equates to 57%, 74%, and 76% of the snaps respectively.

It's hard to imagine scenarios where he makes the Eagles' roster though. We believe Philly will keep five pass rushers and those five pass rushers will be Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, Bryce Huff, and Jalyx Hunt. The rookie (Hunt) will peobably occupy the spot formerly owned by Johnson.

Tarron Jackson

In 2021, it felt like the Eagles may have had something with Tarron Jackson, and the fact of the matter is they still might. But after turning in 253 defensive snaps as a rookie and another 86 on special teams, those numbers dipped to 27 defensive snaps and 13 on special teams in 2022.

He was waived during final roster cuts last August and signed to the practice squad for the duration of last season. He signed a future/reserve contract in January.

Jackson has talent, but the fact is the Birds have always just had better options, and, if Patrick Johnson doesn't make this team as a pass rusher, the truth is that Tarron Jackson probably won't either.

On the bubble: Avonte Maddox

Typically teams keep six corners. Last year, the Eagles kept seven. Even if they do so again, Avonte Maddox isn't assured of a roster spot.

Maddox is better than Zech McPhearson, and we'd take the former over the latter. Still, Maddox's best chance at making the roster will probably be if James Bradberry leaves and he makes the roster as a safety. We'll see what happens with Sydney Brown.

Read more Eagles news and notes