The Super Bowl LIX champion Eagles set their 2025 training camp dates. As the dynasty quest begins, can Nolan Smith lead a new defense? Get the full schedule.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The confetti has been swept, the rings have been ordered, and the Lombardi Trophy has found its new home in Philadelphia. After a dominant 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles are no longer hunting; they are the hunted. The first official step in their title defense began Tuesday with the announcement of the 2025 training camp schedule, signaling that the quest for a dynasty is officially underway.
After losing Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Bryce Huff, the Eagles' biggest question is clear: Can 10.5-sack man Nolan Smith lead a completely retooled edge rusher group back to the promised land?
The path to Super Bowl LX starts July 22nd. The Eagles announced that veterans and rookies alike will report to the NovaCare Complex on that date, with the first full-team practice kicking off the next day, July 23rd. Fans will get their first look at the defending champions in preseason action on August 7th against the Cincinnati Bengals. The schedule also features a highly anticipated joint practice and game with the Cleveland Browns on August 13th and 16th, before wrapping up on the road against the New York Jets on August 22nd. It's an aggressive schedule designed to get the team battle-tested early as they embrace the target on their backs.
While the offense looks poised to pick up where it left off, the defense—the NFL's best last season—faces a significant makeover. The championship-caliber edge rush unit has been completely transformed following the departures of Josh Sweat (free agency), Brandon Graham (retirement), and Bryce Huff (trade). The torch has been passed to a new generation, led by 2024 breakout star Nolan Smith and his 10.5 sacks. He's joined by Jalyx Hunt, a pair of one-year 'prove-it' signings in Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, and Day 3 rookie Antwaun Powell-Ryland. The front office may not be done, with speculation swirling about another potential addition before camp, but for now, the pressure is on this new group to gel quickly.
This is why analysts are calling the Eagles a 'reloaded' team, not a rebuilding one. The organization's culture, recently praised by Jeff Kerr for its stability and leadership, is built for this exact scenario. It's about developing talent and trusting the next man up. Look no further than defensive tackle Moro Ojomo. The former seventh-round pick is now considered one of the team's 25 most important players after logging 388 snaps last season—matching Jordan Davis—and recording his first career sack in the playoffs. Ojomo's rise is a testament to a system that consistently turns overlooked players into crucial contributors, a necessary ingredient for sustained success.
The 'reloaded' philosophy extends throughout the roster, creating intriguing depth battles and fantasy football implications. In the backfield, for example, analysts have already pegged Will Shipley as a priority handcuff. While he may not have standalone weekly value yet, his role as a key depth piece is critical for a team with championship aspirations. His performance in camp will be something to monitor closely, as every spot on this deep roster will be fiercely contested.
With the schedule now set, the narrative for the 2025 season is clear. The Eagles are the undisputed kings of the NFC, but repeating as champions will require new heroes to emerge, particularly on the defensive edge. The foundation of a dynasty has been laid, but the real work begins on July 22nd. All eyes will be on the NovaCare Complex to see if this reloaded roster has what it takes to do it all again.
