Takeaways and observations from Eagles joint practice with Patriots

Philadelphia got their most extensive day of competition this summer after the team joined the Patriots for one joint practice session ahead of Thursday night’s preseason contest at Gillette Stadium.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts looked sharp throughout the session, while DeVonta Smith put on a route running clinic. On defense, Nakobe Dean and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. stood out, while Cooper DeJean returned to practice for the first time since training camp started.

With the Eagles scheduled for a Wednesday walkthrough, here are takeaways and observations from the joint practice.

Isaiah Rodgers is going to start

Aug 1, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (34) during a training camp practice at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Joint practices are essential in Philadelphia. Isaiah Rodgers’s taking first-team reps on Tuesday all but solidifies his starting spot opposite Darius Slay in the opener against Green Bay.

First up at CB with the 1s in 7v7: Isaiah Rodgers/Slay. #Eagles

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) August 13, 2024

LB depth chart

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the second quarter in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Devin White is a lock to start at inside linebacker, while Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean alternated reps with the first-team defense in various situations.

Correction: Nakobe Dean and Devin White were up on first team. Zack Baun and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. running second team at LB.#Eagles

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 13, 2024

Kellen Moore using pre-snap motion

Aug 9, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore looks on as quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles offense won’t be stale in 2024, as Kellen Moore is showing more pre-snap motion and zips in his formations.

Kellen Moore’s pre-snap motions, which were absent in preseason game 1, are more at play — as expected.

Necessary work as a new offense prepares for the season.

— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) August 13, 2024

Drake Maye has been steady

August 8, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Drake Maye didn’t play a lot of snaps in the Patriots’ first preseason game, but the rookie quarterback is getting plenty of work against the Eagles.

Maye and the Patriots hosted a joint practice with the Eagles on Tuesday. Head coach Jerod Mayo said before the workout that Maye and Jacoby Brissett would be getting most of the work because “we’ve got to get ready to play some real football.”

Mayo labeled Maye “steady,” and the former UNC star made some big throws on Tuesday.

Dime 😮‍💨@DrakeMaye2 | @jpolk_22 pic.twitter.com/NtrmCD0tzc

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 13, 2024

Jalen Hurts was sharp

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 09: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles watches the game in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

The Eagles star quarterback looked sharp on Tuesday morning,

🎯Jalen Hurts just dropped a dime🎯

RB Saquon Barkley beat edge Matthew Judon on a wheel run in the red zone. Made a touchdown look easy.

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) August 13, 2024

Nakobe Dean is surging

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the second quarter in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Dean has gone from getting second-team reps behind Zack Baun to having a solid preseason opener, and he’s flashed again during the joint practice.

🚨Nakobe Dean Alert 🚨

Nakobe Dean just broke up a TD in the EZ, breaking it up and causing an INT by Baun

Huge play

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 13, 2024

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. continues to shine

Nov 18, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) celebrates after sacking North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (not pictured) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Trotter Jr. had a sack in the preseason opener and flashed again during the joint practice.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. picks off Jacoby Brissett over the middle on a pass intended for K.J. Osbourn.

— Olivia Reiner (@ReinerOlivia) August 13, 2024

Eagles pass rushers dominated

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during Training Camp at Lincoln Financial Field on August 9, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

It was only a joint practice against the rebuilding Patriots, but the Eagles’ pass rush was intense and stout all morning.

In one practice, the Eagles D recorded FIFTEEN sacks.

It’s the Patriots, but man. https://t.co/DoXulawjm7

— 𝐃𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞 (@RochesRWinners) August 13, 2024