Sean Mannion plans to blend under-center offense with Eagles RPOs

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles’ increased use of under-center formations does not mean they are abandoning the run-pass option concepts that have helped Jalen Hurts throughout his career. Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion believes both approaches can remain part of the offense, with their usage determined by matchups, game situations and what opposing defenses present each week.

“I think there’s definitely room for both,” Mannion said. “A lot of it is just dependent on week by week or situationally.”

“I think there’s definitely room for both,” Mannion said. “A lot of it is just dependent on week by week or situationally.”

Philadelphia displayed several under-center play-action looks during the opening week of training camp. Those formations could help create varied rushing angles for Saquon Barkley while giving Hurts opportunities to attack defenses with play action. Operating under center can also make Philadelphia’s intentions less obvious. The Eagles can run the football, use conventional play-action or build movement passes from similar formations. That forces linebackers and safeties to process more information after the snap.

Hurts has traditionally done some of his best work from the shotgun, where his ability to read defenders powers Philadelphia’s zone-read and RPO packages. Mannion does not view adding under-center concepts as an either-or decision. Instead, the Eagles want enough variety to select the approach that best attacks each opponent. Some defenses may be vulnerable to play-action from under center. Others may struggle to account for Hurts as an additional runner from shotgun formations.

“There’s a lot of different things that come up throughout the game from one week to the next, things you’re seeing from the defense,” Mannion said. “To have all those different elements in your back pocket, I think there’s room for many different things.”

“There’s a lot of different things that come up throughout the game from one week to the next, things you’re seeing from the defense,” Mannion said. “To have all those different elements in your back pocket, I think there’s room for many different things.”

The challenge will be connecting those concepts without making the offense feel disjointed. Mannion wants Philadelphia capable of shifting between them based on the situation. Under-center play action, RPOs, and zone-read concepts can all remain. The Eagles’ goal is to have the right answer available when defenses force them to choose.