Unexpected but welcomed surprises from Philadelphia Eagles training camp

Training camp rolls on. Can you believe it's week three already? This one ends with the Philadelphia Eagles' first preseason game, one they'll participate in versus the Baltimore Ravens.

Injuries have been a story. So has Jalen Hurts' efficiency and the brilliance of both AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. None of that shocks us though. How many times have we seen them construct highlights?

The beauty of every camp comes in seeing surprises. Guys will turn heads for good and bad reasons (and, they have). We have seen stock in individual players rise and fall.

Unexpected surprises have come often. Here are a handful that have become some of camp's best stories so far.

This Eagles offense has jelled under Kellen Moore very quickly.

Typically, at this time of year, the defense is ahead of the offense. That hasn't been the case early in Eagles camp. Though there is no scoreboard at practice, you can best believe the players are well aware of who's winning more reps, and the offense has certainly held its own.

What's more important than that is the Birds are learning new schemes under new coordinators, sort of. The defense is being reintroduced to a familiar scheme, one they ran under Jonathan Gannon and now Vic Fangio, but it's great to see Jalen Hurts and company gel under Kellen Moore so quickly.

Johnny Wilson is better than Ainias Smith.

Many thought after the Eagles selected two wideouts during the 2024 NFL Draft, that both would make the 53-man roster by being selected. We've paid attention to most of what both have been doing. Here's what we have figured out while doing so.

There were theories that Smith had the potential to be a slot weapon and an option for the return game. A few practices have followed, and we believe we have changed our minds. Johnny Wilson might be the better of the two.

It has been Wilson who has shown up and made big plays in practice. Don't be shocked if he is called on earlier and if he earns more playing time during their respective rookie seasons.

Vic Fangio has been a Milton Williams fan for quite some time.

We have all known Milton Williams can ball for a while. He has also been one of Philly's better kept secrets. Though we understand his value in the Delaware Valley, he hasn't often garnered the same level of praise nationally, among the fans at least.

Coaches and peers grade these guys differently Ask a coach or coordinator if you know one. They'll tell you how good Milton Williams is.

As a matter of fact, his current defensive coordinator Vic Fangio had hopes of stealing him while serving in the same role for the Miami Dolphins last season. Thankfully, Howie turned the offer down.

Williams has been a dominant force at camp. Don't be shocked if he breaks out and earns an extension after the coming regular season.

Tanner McKee supplanting Kenny Pickett as the Eagles backup quarterback isn't out of the question.

This is one of those angles you have probably been seeing brew on social media for a while, especially among fans. What can we say? Sometimes, the fans get it, right.

Both have had ups and downs. That's to be expected, but days where Tanner McKee outplays Kenny Pickett haven't gone unnoticed. The Eagles backup quarterback competition may be closer than you think. Don't slot McKee into the QB3 role yet. There's a chance that Tanner may wind up winning the job.

Kelee Ringo and Isaiah Rodgers have a battle going on.

There are varying opinions about this, but shortly after the NFL Draft, it wouldn't have been difficult to find Birds enthusiasts who were under the impression that Ringo would probably make the team as a reserve. Those same voices probably would have told you that Isaiah Rodgers might help out in the slot and as a returner after being reinstated,

It appears that both had loftier ambitions.

Fast forward to the present. Ringo and Rodgers have battled their way to the top of the depth chart. They have taken the majority of the snaps across from Darius Slay as outside corners with the first-team defense. Whether one or the other wins the job or neither does so, this is a good thing.

It's good to have as many guys who can start on the outside as possible. They took slight steps backward here and there, but both have been solid for the most part. We expect they'll be fine once the season begins.