Why Eagles offense could be 'boom or bust' to start 2026 season

Another year, another new offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. This time, Sean Mannion, a former NFL quarterback and never once a play caller before this season, will be calling the shots in Philadelphia.

It's not the same offense the Eagles have used for a while now; it's a new-look offense that is going to ask Jalen Hurts and the offensive line to play a bit differently than before. This offense is going to be more Kyle Shanahan-esque.

While the fresh offensive style will be exciting, there are a lot of unknowns for the Eagles. ESPN's Tim McManus expects this offense to be "boom or bust" to start the season, and for good reason: It'll take time for Hurts to mesh well with this offense.

Eagles expected to be a 'boom or bust' offense to begin 2026 season

"The results were mixed this summer, as Hurts leans into elements of the game he has not majored in previously, and the group overall works to sync up," McManus writes. "Expect some boom or bust early."

Mannion's new-look offense will take some time for Hurts to get used to. But it's not just about Hurts figuring out this new offense; it's about the supporting cast as well.

Alongside learning a new offense, Hurts has had to work with some new receivers, as Jahan Dotson and A.J. Brown are no longer in Philadelphia.

Saquon Barkley is still the starting running back, and Dallas Geodert is the starting tight end. But at wide receiver, it's pretty much an entirely new room outside of DeVonta Smith.

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Dariius Cooper is the only familiar face for Hurts, as Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore make up this new-look WR room.

With a new-look offensive scheme and a new group of receivers, it would not be a surprise if the Eagles had a shaky start to the year.

Similar to how the 2024 season began, it took Kellen Moore's offense a lot of time to figure things out. That could happen again in 2026 with Mannion, especially since it's been such a massive change.

It would be surprising if Hurts and the offense thrived from day one. There will be growing pains, and it's something Eagles fans should not panic about.

The reason why is simple: The sky is the limit with this offense. If they can get things clicking, this offense could be one of the best in the NFL, and with an elite defense, the 2026 season could result in a third Eagles Super Bowl in the last decade.

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