The question for Vic Fangio and the Philadelphia Eagles is now this: With all of these new pieces, how is the defense going to look for the remainder of the 2025 season?
Defensive end Brandon Graham isn't really a new piece, but he's new this season. Nolan Smith isn't at all new, even this season, but he's been out for five games and is returning to the edge position fresh and full of energy. Cornerback Jakorian Bennett, acquired in the summer via trade, hasn't played enough here to really get a handle on his skill set in this scheme.
And the three players Howie Roseman traded for in the last week? All new and all trying to impact the defense in a positive way immediately.
Make no mistake, though, this is a work in progress and Fangio is learning about what the six players can do to make the Eagles a better football team.
"It's been awesome. Everyone has been extremely helpful and I'm hitting the ground running. This is an amazing opportunity for me to play and help the team," outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips said after practice on Thursday. "We'll see how it shakes out, but this is a talented team, a winning culture, a great defense, great scheme, great defensive front, great DBs. Everything kind of matches up for me to be as productive as possible."
With Green Bay and its high-powered offense on the horizon on Monday night, the Eagles have an extra day to put things in place. And then they have eight games after that to tweak and tinker and make things right for what they hope is a long and productive postseason run.