Winning a Super Bowl changes everything. It changes the target on your back, the way you practice, and definitely how the coaching staff views three "meaningless" games in August. After the Philadelphia Eagles hoisted the Lombardi Trophy following the 2024 season, the philly eagles preseason schedule for 2025 became less about finding a diamond in the rough and more about "load management" for stars like Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.
People think preseason is a bore. Honestly, if you're only watching for the final score, it is. But for the Birds, these three games were the laboratory where Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo—taking over for Kellen Moore—had to figure out how to keep a championship offense fresh while integrating new pieces like veteran AJ Dillon and rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
Breaking Down the Philly Eagles Preseason Schedule
The 2025 preseason was a three-week sprint that started at the Linc and ended with a short trip up the Jersey Turnpike. If you missed the specific dates, here is how the slate actually played out before the Eagles kicked off their title defense:
Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Philadelphia Eagles
Thursday, August 7 | 7:30 p.m. ET
This was the big homecoming for the champs. Jalen Hurts played exactly one series. He looked sharp, completing a few passes before handing the keys to the backup carousel of Dorian Thompson-Robinson and rookie Kyle McCord. The Eagles walked away with a 34-27 win, mostly thanks to some late-game heroics from the depth guys.Week 2: Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles
Saturday, August 16 | 1:00 p.m. ET
The NFL Network picked this one up for a national audience. It wasn't pretty. The Browns’ defensive depth really put the Eagles' second-string offensive line to the test. Tyler Steen, who was fighting for that starting Right Guard spot for the third year in a row, had a bit of a "Welcome to the NFL" afternoon against some heavy hitters. Cleveland took it 22-13.Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets
Friday, August 22 | 7:30 p.m. ET
This was the "MetLife Tune-Up." Usually, the third game is a total toss-away for starters, and 2025 was no different. We saw a lot of Kelee Ringo and Adoree' Jackson battling it out for cornerback snaps. The Eagles eked out a 19-17 win to finish the preseason 2-1.
Why These Games Actually Mattered
Look, nobody is going to tell their grandkids about a 19-17 win over the Jets in late August. But the philly eagles preseason schedule was the only time we got to see how the team handled the target that comes with being the defending champions.
The most interesting thing wasn't the scoreboard; it was the chess match. Literally. Jalen Hurts and new backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson actually bonded over chess, sharing the same mentor, Seth Makowsky. That kind of mental preparation is something you don't see in a box score.
The Battle for Right Guard
The Right Guard spot was basically a soap opera. Tyler Steen was the favorite, but he’d been here before. In 2023, he lost to Jurgens. In 2024, he lost to Becton. During these three preseason games, Steen had to prove he could handle the "pulling guard" responsibilities that the Eagles love so much. He eventually locked it down, but the preseason film showed he still has some work to do in pass protection against speed rushers.
The Rookie Impact
We also saw a lot of "Steal of the Draft" Jihaad Campbell. Picking a linebacker in the first round is something the Eagles haven't done in forever—literally over 40 years. Watching him roam the middle of the field against the Bengals and Browns gave fans a glimpse of why Howie Roseman broke his own "no LBs in the first" rule.
New Rules You Probably Missed
Preseason wasn't just about the roster; it was about the rules. The 2025-2026 season brought some massive changes that the Eagles had to test-drive in August:
- The Virtual First Down: Goodbye, chain gang. The NFL started using Sony’s Hawk-Eye cameras to measure first downs. Seeing the ref just look at a tablet instead of waiting for the guys in orange vests was... weird.
- The 35-Yard Line Touchback: If a kickoff lands in the end zone and is downed, the ball goes to the 35. It makes kickers actually want to land the ball in play to force a return.
- Overtime Equality: For the first time, even in the regular season, both teams are guaranteed a possession in OT. The Eagles actually proposed this change, and we saw them practicing those specific scenarios during the preseason practices open to the media.
Looking Back at the Results
If you're wondering how the preseason momentum carried over, it was a bit of a mixed bag. The Eagles started the regular season with a win over Dallas on September 4, but that grueling schedule—playing the 49ers, Chiefs, and Bills—was a lot.
Preseason is often criticized for being too long or too risky for injuries. For the 2025 Eagles, it was a necessary evil. It allowed them to manage Saquon Barkley's workload (who had the heaviest volume of his career in 2024) and see if Will Shipley or AJ Dillon could truly carry the rock if Saquon needed a breather.
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Actionable Takeaways for Next Season
- Don't bet on Week 3: The "dress rehearsal" game is a myth now. Starters rarely play more than a series in any preseason game under Nick Sirianni.
- Watch the "Pulling" Guards: If you want to know if the Eagles' offense will work, watch the guards in preseason. If they aren't mobile, the screen game dies.
- Monitor the Waiver Wire: The most important part of the preseason isn't the games—it's the roster cut-down day (August 26). The Eagles are notorious for trading away depth for future picks right at the deadline.
The philly eagles preseason schedule isn't just a countdown to the real thing. It’s the only time the coaching staff gets to see if the "next man up" philosophy is actually a reality or just a locker room slogan.