Early reviews positive on new Eagles OC Sean Mannion within the building: ‘I think he’s just got a good confidence’

Almost in unison, reporters observing the Eagles practice field at the Jefferson Health Training Complex turned their heads and pointed their phones toward the 20-yard line on Friday, hoping to get a glimpse of the man tasked with reviving the offense.

It was offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s first public appearance with the team since the Eagles hired him on Jan. 29. His mere presence at rookie minicamp made headlines.

The attention makes sense, too.

Fans have high hopes for the 34-year-old Mannion after last year’s offense drew harsh critiques under former coordinator Kevin Patullo, who was removed on Jan. 13. Under Mannion — a former NFL quarterback who learned from coaches like Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and Klint Kubiak during his playing days — the expectation is that there will be a jolt of creativity in the play-calling.

Mannion has received rave reviews so far within the complex.

“I think he’s just got a good confidence, calm confidence, conviction about the way he goes about it, very detailed, and it has been fun,” coach Nick Sirianni said Friday of Mannion. “It’s been fun sitting in the back of the room listening to him talk, listening to him at install, and building a connection with the guys. He’s done a good job so far and just got to keep stacking days upon days.”

Mannion’s new players have gushed about his scheme, too. The Eagles almost certainly are trading wide receiver A.J. Brown after June 1, which means that Mannion will have to replicate his production in the aggregate with veterans like DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Hollywood Brown, and Dontayvion Wicks, plus rookies Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers.

While they were mum on specifics, the latter two seemed impressed after their early exposure to Mannion’s mindset entering the season.

“[I’m] getting to know him more and more as a person and then as a coach, really,” said Lemon, whom the Eagles selected in the first round on April 23. “He’s super invested into the players, so I’m excited to learn a lot from him.”

Said Stowers on Thursday: “He’s a really smart mind. I can tell that it’s going to be a really good scheme and that we’re going to be able to make some really good plays, and our offense is going to be powerful because of him.”

The Eagles know they’re not the only local team making headlines this week. Newcomers Lemon and Jonathan Greenard were among those who attended the Sixers’ first-round playoff series against the Celtics last week, and Sirianni said he was tracking the Flyers’ and Sixers’ playoff progress.

“Obviously, we’re all excited. My kids are excited,” Sirianni said. “I know that one thing they get really excited about is that they get to stay up a little bit later to watch into a couple periods or into halftime of the Sixers game. So, yeah, it’s an exciting time. ... We’re pulling for them and wishing them luck.”

The big news beyond Mannion’s appearance on Friday was the Eagles signing eight undrafted free agents to add to their 2026 draft class.

Defensive back Kapena Gushiken (Mississippi), defensive back Tucker Large (Washington State), linebacker Deontae Lawson (Alabama), defensive back Maximus Pulley (Wofford), guard Jaeden Roberts (Alabama), long snapper Rocco Underwood (Florida), defensive end Joshua Weru (International Player Pathway program), and tight end Dae’Quan Wright (Ole Miss) signed deals. Could one break through and become a starter?

“I think that you’ve seen it every year that we’ve been here, we’ve been able to have guys that are undrafted free agents that make it,” Sirianni said. “Whether that’s [former Eagles cornerback] Josh Jobe or [ex-safety] Reed Blankenship or [ex-tight end] Jack Stoll. I’m missing a bunch of guys, but those are the first three that I thought of. [Former Eagles cornerback] Eli Ricks, a bunch of guys that have made this team. It’s exciting to see the first steps of who’s going to kind of emerge from that group.”