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Eagles’ Midseason Standouts: Unsung MVP, rookie breakout, and veteran slump

At 6–2 and once again in the thick of the NFC race, the Eagles have maintained their identity -- physical, efficient, and a group that just finds ways to win football games.

Yet the makeup of their 2025 success looks a little different than in years past. It’s not a flashy quarterback run or a 1,500-yard receiver driving their dominance; it’s the quiet excellence of a veteran in the trenches, the emergence of a versatile rookie on defense, and the unexpected struggles of one of football’s most talented running backs.

As the Eagles hit the midway point of the season, here’s a look at their team MVP, most impressive draft pick, and biggest disappointment so far.

Team MVP: OT Lane Johnson

When most fans think of “MVP,” they picture quarterbacks lighting up scoreboards or pass rushers wrecking offensive lines. For the Eagles, however, the title belongs to Lane Johnson, the 35-year-old right tackle who’s been nothing short of dominant -- and indispensable.

A mainstay in Philadelphia since 2013, Johnson continues to set the standard for what elite offensive line play looks like.

Through eight games in 2025, he’s allowed just seven total pressures -- no sacks, no quarterback hits. That’s perfection in a league where opposing defensive coordinators send everything they can at Jalen Hurts from every angle.

With more than 11,200 career snaps at right tackle, a truly staggering number, Johnson’s blend of power, balance, and technique remains as sharp as they were when they drafted him out of Oklahoma over a decade ago.

He’s the emotional and physical tone-setter for one of the NFL’s premier offensive lines, and his consistency has kept Philadelphia’s offense on schedule even through moments of turbulence. While MVPs are rarely awarded to offensive linemen, Johnson’s 2025 performance demands that level of recognition.

For the Eagles, he’s been the foundation of everything.

Most Impressive Draft Pick: LB Jihaad Campbell

Howie Roseman’s 2025 draft class was both deep and balanced, but it’s the Eagles’ first-round selection in Campbell who’s made the earliest, and loudest impression.

Selected 31st overall in April, Campbell has immediately stepped into a key role next to veteran Zach Baun on all three downs.

His range allows him to impact every level of the field -- setting the edge against the run, blitzing off the line, and covering tight ends and backs in space. And in just eight games, Campbell has already flashed the instincts and play recognition of a seasoned pro.

What makes Campbell’s emergence even more valuable is how seamlessly he’s fit into Vic Fangio's system. The Eagles’ defense thrives on positional flexibility and speed, and Campbell embodies both. He reads quickly, closes faster, and finishes with authority.

For a team that has struggled in past years to find stability at the position, Campbell and Baun look like the short, and long-term solution.

Most Disappointing: RB Saquon Barkley

It feels strange labeling Barkley a disappointment, especially after how dynamic he was during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run last winter. But expectations for the superstar ball-carrier were sky-high entering the campaign, and so far, he’s underwhelmed to say the least.

Through eight games, Barkley has topped 100 rushing yards just once (Week 8 vs the Giants). And overall, he’s averaging just 4.1 yards a carry with four touchdowns.

For a player of his caliber, behind an elite offensive line, those numbers are simply not enough.

The issue hasn’t been effort -- Barkley still runs with power and explosiveness -- but defenses have schemed effectively to limit him. Opponents are daring Hurts to win through the air and are closing running lanes with disciplined run fits. But regardless of what a defense is doing schematically, given Barkley’s talent, the production should be at a level above where it currently is.

Read more:Jason Kelce brought the laughs with his Jaelan Phillips Eagles-Dolphins story

Adding backs like Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby have added competition for carries, but halfway through, he’s been far from the game-changer he was last fall.

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