Despite a hot start from Joe Burrow, the Eagles held off the Cincinnati Bengals 34-27 for their first preseason victory of 2025. Jalen Hurts, along with many other starters, didn’t suit up for this game, but there were plenty of standouts on Thursday night.
Here are some notable storylines coming out of Philadelphia:
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Tanner McKee is a future NFL starter
Micah Parsons for Tanner McKee straight up, who says no? In all seriousness, McKee could start for maybe 12 NFL teams right now. The Browns, Jets, Colts, Saints, Giants, and Vikings immediately come to mind. Luckily for the Eagles, GM Howie Roseman isn’t shipping this man out for anything less than a first-round pick.
McKee, who honestly should’ve been Hurts’ backup as early as 2023, displayed poise and accuracy throughout the night. He led four scoring drives and finished 20/25 for 252 yards, three total touchdowns (one tush push), and a 135.3 passer rating. McKee’s throw to Darius Cooper down the right sideline was a thing of beauty, hitting him in stride en route to the endzone.
If Hurts misses any time this season, McKee is more than capable of winning games in a pinch, and he’s under contract for another two years.
The Eagles have intriguing options at receiver
Beyond A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson, Philadelphia doesn’t have much proven depth at wide receiver. Three young guys took advantage of the opportunity on Thursday night.
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The aforementioned Darius Cooper was the team’s leading receiver, recording six receptions for 82 yards and a 20-yard TD from McKee. The undrafted free agent from Tarleton State has been consistently making plays in training camp and carried that momentum into preseason.
Johnny Wilson has had a quiet summer but impressed in live action, using his physically imposing frame to haul in three tough catches. Not many receivers, if any, possess his size (6-6, 228 pounds). If Wilson can have consistent hands, he’ll be a dangerous weapon within the offense.
Wilson’s draft-mate, Ainias Smith, also had a productive night. He caught a six-yard touchdown pass from McKee and later returned a punt 46 yards to set up another scoring drive. Special teams was Smith’s most ideal path to a roster spot; he improved his chances mightily with this outing.
The defense has some work to do at cornerback
Third-year player Kelee Ringo and veteran Adoree’ Jackson have been entrenched in a camp battle to determine the starting cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Neither player helped their case in the preseason opener.
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Ringo was targeted four times in coverage and allowed four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase. Jackson was targeted five times in coverage and allowed four catches (one was dropped) for 45 yards. Granted, Burrow played the entire first quarter, and Chase is arguably the league’s best wide receiver, but Vic Fangio can’t be too thrilled with what he watched.
Roseman trading for Jakorian Bennett lends credence to the theory that Fangio isn’t sold on his current cornerback room. The coming weeks will be interesting.
Defensive tackle rotation will be fine without Thomas Booker IV
Thomas Booker was a productive player for Philadelphia, but the team felt good enough about their DT depth to move on from him. The performances of Ty Robinson and Gabe Hall vindicated that decision.
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Robinson, a fourth-round pick out of Nebraska, got his first NFL sack on Jake Browning in the second quarter. Hall was a disruptive force all game long, consistently generating pressure and pushing his way into the backfield. Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Robinson, and Hall give the Eagles a strong top-five.
Tyler Steen is ready to be the starting right guard
At long last, it seems Tyler Steen has a firm grasp of the starting right guard job and isn’t letting go. Steen has gotten every first-team rep ten days into training camp and, surprisingly, played on Thursday night while other starters sat.
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Steen executed a tremendous seal block that helped running back Will Shipley break loose for a 38-yard gain in the first quarter. One series was enough for Nick Sirianni to pull Steen for the remainder of the game. After losing his spot to Mekhi Becton last season, Steen is laser-focused in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 5 things we learned in the Eagles’ preseason victory over the Bengals