In a promising shift for the Philadelphia Eagles, the new offensive system under Sean Mannion is designed to enhance the team’s running game while also providing a significant boost for wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed strong confidence in Smith’s potential growth, stating that he believes the player will continue to excel as he enters his sixth season.
Sirianni’s enthusiasm was evident when he responded to questions about Smith’s development, emphatically stating, “Oh, no,” when asked if Smith has reached his ceiling. “I think he continually gets better,” Sirianni elaborated. “Guys that are tough, that love football, that are smart football players, and are talented, have a tendency to reach their ceiling, God-willing.”
Implications of A.J. Brown’s Future
The future of fellow wide receiver A.J. Brown remains uncertain. Both Sirianni and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman provided vague responses regarding Brown’s status for the upcoming season during a media session on February 20, 2026. Roseman noted the nature of offseason discussions, emphasizing that the Eagles are always looking to improve the team. “We’re trying to get better, and it’s hard to do that if you’re just subtracting great players,” he stated. “Every decision will be made with that, no matter who the player is.”
Smith’s performance has been noteworthy, as he has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three of his five seasons with the Eagles. Last season, he led the team with 1,008 yards, narrowly edging out Brown, who recorded 1,003 yards. In 2022, Smith achieved a career-high of 1,196 yards, while Brown set a franchise record with 1,496 yards.
If Brown is traded, it could open up more opportunities for Smith, allowing him to become the clear number one receiver. The Eagles might look to supplement Smith’s role through a veteran free agent acquisition or an early-round draft pick. Last season, Smith had 113 targets, which was eight fewer than Brown.
Optimizing the Offensive Strategy
Sirianni acknowledged the need for improvement in the Eagles’ offensive strategy, particularly following a 2025 season where the team ranked 24th in total yards and 19th in points. “Getting DeVonta Smith the ball, and getting him targets, is always going to be important,” he emphasized. The team also hopes to see an effective running game, especially following Saquon Barkley’s drop in rushing yards from 2,005 to 1,140 last season.
Barkley’s performance improved as the previous season progressed, averaging 4.7 yards per carry in the final nine games, compared to 3.3 yards in the first seven. The Eagles’ offensive adjustments under Mannion are expected to facilitate further growth for both Barkley and Smith.
Sirianni expressed confidence in Barkley’s adaptability to the new offensive schemes. “My experience with great football players is you come in and you’re like, ‘Hey, Saquon, we’re going to run inside zone.’ He’s going to be really good at it,” Sirianni noted. The coach believes Barkley’s skills will translate well across various offensive setups.
The Eagles are looking to build on last season’s challenges and leverage Mannion’s offensive strategies to enhance both their passing and running games. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, DeVonta Smith stands out as a key player to watch, with his potential to thrive in this evolving offensive landscape.
For further updates, contact Martin Frank at [email protected], or follow him on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the “Eye On The Eagles” newsletter for weekly insights.
