7 key Eagles players who need to elevate their game in 2026

The Eagles have enough star power to enter 2026 with championship expectations, but their season may be defined by the players who still have another level to reach.

Philadelphia has elite building blocks in Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Zack Baun. The front-line talent is not the question. The more important issue is whether the next group of players can grow into larger roles, stabilize key roster spots, and help the Eagles transition smoothly after a busy offseason that reshaped the wide receiver room, defensive backfield, and pass-rush rotation.

Here are seven key Eagles who need to elevate their game in 2026.

Hurts is already a franchise quarterback, but 2026 still feels like an important season for his individual development, the direction of the offense, finally quieting the doubters, and landing a new historic contract. With A.J. Brown no longer on the roster, Philadelphia needs Hurts to fully command an offense built around Smith, Barkley, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, Elijah Moore, Dallas Goedert, and a deeper group of complementary weapons.

The arrival of offensive coordinator Sean Mannion creates another layer. The Eagles have talked about building the offense around how all the pieces fit together, not one single player. That puts more responsibility on Hurts to distribute the football, protect the operation, attack favorable matchups, and show consistent comfort with more motion, play-action, and timing-based concepts. Hurts does not need to reinvent himself, but he does need to elevate the passing game’s rhythm and efficiency if Philadelphia is going to remain among the NFC’s most dangerous teams.

Campbell’s talent is not in question, but availability and development are. The former first-round pick missed significant offseason work for the second straight year because of a shoulder issue, and that makes training camp even more important. The Eagles need Campbell to become more than a long-term projection. They need him to become a reliable, explosive second-level defender next to Baun.

Philadelphia has other linebacker options, including Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr., Chance Campbell, Deontae Lawson, and others, but Campbell has the highest ceiling in the room. His athleticism, range, and blitz potential give Vic Fangio a different kind of chess piece if he is healthy and assignment-sound. The next step is turning those traits into dependable snaps in coverage, run fits, and communication. If Campbell elevates, the Eagles’ linebacker group becomes far more dynamic.

Smith has already shown flashes, but 2026 should be the year he becomes a more consistent, every-week pass-rush force. The Eagles added Jonathan Greenard and Arnold Ebiketie, while Jalyx Hunt remains a key young edge defender, and A.J. Epenesa gives the room another veteran option. That competition raises the standard for Smith, who has the burst and athletic profile to be one of the most disruptive defenders on the roster.

The Eagles need Smith to affect games even when he is not finishing sacks. That means setting a strong edge, converting speed to power, winning with a more complete rush plan, and becoming more reliable in Fangio’s structure. Philadelphia’s defensive front is at its best when it can create pressure without blitzing. Smith taking another step would make life easier for Carter, Davis, Greenard, and the secondary behind them.

Hunt is one of the most intriguing players on the roster because his development could determine how deep the edge rotation becomes. The Eagles have invested in the position, but Hunt still has a real path to a larger role if he can turn athletic traits into production. He does not have to be the No. 1 rusher, but he does have to prove he can handle more than a developmental workload.

The jump for Hunt is about consistency. Philadelphia needs him to play with better hand usage, more power at the point of attack, and more comfort within the details of the defense. If Hunt elevates, the Eagles can rotate more aggressively on the edge, keep Greenard and Smith fresh, and maintain pressure through four quarters. If he stalls, the staff may have to lean more heavily on veteran options.

Steen’s role is critical because the Eagles’ offensive line standard remains extremely high. Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Lane Johnson give Philadelphia four proven pieces, but right guard remains one of the spots where the Eagles need clear answers. Steen has the size, experience, and system familiarity to hold down the job, but the competition around him will not make it automatic.

Philadelphia has several young linemen trying to climb the ladder, including Myles Hinton, John Ojukwu, Willie Lampkin, Jake Majors, Jaeden Roberts, and others. Steen’s challenge is to become steady enough that right guard is no longer a weekly question. The Eagles do not need him to be the best lineman on the field. They need him to avoid mistakes, hold up in protection, and bring physicality in the run game. If he elevates, the offensive line remains one of the clearest strengths on the roster.

Ringo still has the traits that made him an intriguing young cornerback, but the room around him has changed dramatically. Mitchell, DeJean, and Riq Woolen headline a loaded secondary, while Jakorian Bennett, Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams, Michael Carter II, Shaun Wade, Tariq Castro-Fields, Ambry Thomas, and others give Philadelphia plenty of options. Ringo is no longer just being evaluated on potential. He has to show he can earn trust in a crowded group.

The Eagles need Ringo to become more consistent with his technique, route recognition, and ball skills. His size and speed still give him matchup value, especially against bigger receivers, but clarity of role will matter. If he elevates, he can give Fangio another outside corner option and help Philadelphia preserve flexibility with DeJean and Carter. If he does not, the depth chart could squeeze him into a smaller role than expected.

Wilson’s size and blocking ability give him a unique profile in the Eagles’ receiver room, but 2026 is about proving he can be more than an interesting projection. Philadelphia reshaped the position after Brown’s trade, adding Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Wicks, and Moore to a group led by Smith. That makes the battle for complementary snaps more competitive.

Wilson’s path is built around doing the work that does not always show up in the box score. At 6-foot-6 and 228 pounds, he can help in the run game, contribute in heavy personnel packages, and provide a big target on possession downs if he earns Hurts’ trust. The challenge is staying healthy, separating well enough to be more than a blocking receiver, and showing he can contribute on special teams. If Wilson elevates, he gives the Eagles a physical receiver type that the rest of the room does not fully replicate.

The Eagles do not need all seven players to become stars. They need enough of them to become dependable answers. Hurts can raise the ceiling of the entire offense. Campbell can change the athletic profile at linebacker. Smith and Hunt can deepen the pass rush. Steen can stabilize the offensive line. Ringo can strengthen an already talented secondary. Wilson can bring size and physicality to a reshaped receiver room.

Philadelphia already has the high-end talent to contend. Its 2026 season may depend on how many of these players turn potential, opportunity, or pressure into production.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 7 Eagles with the most to prove entering the 2026 season