Three Eagles must step up in training camp or be handed the pink slip

Training camp is on the horizon, with Philadelphia Eagles players scheduled to report on July 22, and the first practice set for the next day.

The Eagles will be looking to defend their second Super Bowl title in franchise history. While training camp often brings a lot of promise for fans and players alike, it also brings a reality check for several players who may be looking for new teams later in the year.

Jahan Dotson, WR

Dotson enters his fourth NFL season and second with the Eagles, having been selected as a first-round pick in 2022. Dotson had his fifth-year option declined in April and had his contract renegotiated, with his new contract set to earn around $2.7 million, approximately $1.7 million of which is a roster bonus. Dotson played 58% of snaps in 2024, registering 19 receptions in the regular season. While Dotson was technically WR3 last season, he ranked 6th on the team in receptions and yards.

The Eagles do have some competition for Dotson, with 6-foot-6 Johnny Wilson, whom the Eagles hope will take a step forward. The Eagles have also allocated three undrafted free agent roster spots to the position, aiming to deepen the room. With Dotson clearly in a "prove-it" year, if any of the younger receivers step up, Dotson could be finding his way on the waiver wire come the last week of August.

Parry Nickerson, DB

Nickerson was brought in for some depth last year by Philadelphia as a veteran option before his release after training camp. The Eagles brought Nickerson back on the practice squad, where he remained inactive till the conclusion of the season. Nickerson signed a futures deal with Philadelphia after the Super Bowl in hopes of extending his career.

Nickerson does own plenty of NFL experience since coming out of Tulane in 2018, however has not appeared in an NFL game since 2023. At 30 years old, going on 31, Nickerson is an expensive option to have as a reserve, as he is due $1.1 million on the active roster and anywhere between $303k and $383k as a veteran on the practice squad. With cheaper and younger options available, Nickerson may be a camp body for the Eagles this upcoming season.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB

In two seasons in Cleveland, "DTR" has already played way more football than your average fifth-round quarterback. Thompson-Robinson has seen action in 15 games, starting five of them with a TD:INT ratio of one:10 over 400-plus snaps. As we've discussed before, the Eagles, historically behind Jalen Hurts, have had extremely competent quarterbacks, which Thompson-Robinson has proven not to be. As the Eagles say goodbye to Kenny Pickett, Howie Roseman has not only swapped for the UCLA alum, but also drafted Kyle McCord along with Tanner McKee returning for his third year.

Thompson-Robinson is set to earn just over $1 million with two years remaining (as does McKee), with McCord set to begin his four-year contract as a 2025 sixth-round pick. With McKee proving to be a competent option in his spot start last year (totaling six quarters), it does appear that Thompson-Robinson could be the odd man out this fall in the quarterback room.