In the modern-day NFL, minicamp is mostly a fun way for NFL teams like the Philadelphia Eagles to get their players together, throw on some pads, and connect with their teammates, old and new.
Sure, there is some system programming, with offensive players of all experience levels getting a crack at Sean Mannion's playbook, but in the end, it's mostly about the good without a massive roster crunch approaching, where dozens of players around the league will see their NFL teams come to a screeching halt on August 26.
And yet, because almost a third of the players on the Eagles' 90-man roster won't end up on the team's 53-man roster or their practice squad, occasionally Howie Roseman – or any GM for that matter – will release a veteran or two to help give them an opportunity to find a new home with months to spare. While the Eagles don't have to release anyone before things really kick off during the summer, there are a few obvious cut candidates who may end up having their training camp elsewhere.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scores a touchdown defended by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) and cornerback Jakorian Bennett (23) during the second quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
CB Jakorian Bennett
Last summer, the Eagles traded to bring Jakorian Bennett to town, but after failing to do much of anything during his first season in midnight green, it's fair to assume he won't be back in 2026 after Roseman brought in quality additions like Riq Woolen and Jonathan Jones to fill roster spots.
A speedy Day 3 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bennett looked promising during his first two seasons under then-Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, but when Pete Carroll took over as head coach, he looked for different measurables for his outside cornerbacks, which placed the Maryland product firmly on the block.
Acquired for depth tackle Thomas Booker, many hoped that Bennett could play a role for the Eagles after Kelee Ringo fell out of favor, but after playing just 98 defensive snaps over 11 games and not looking impressive at that, it feels like that moment has passed. If a team offers a seventh-round pick for his services or another depth player, maybe the Eagles could trade Bennett to a CB-needy team, but if it's clear he won't make the 53-man roster, he could be released mid-summer to free up a roster spot.
New York Jets tight end Stone Smartt (84) runs the ball for a touchdown against Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah Simmons (28) during the second half at Lambeau Field.
Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images.
TE Stone Smartt
When the Eagles signed Stone Smartt, it genuinely looked like they might go tight end by committee, especially if they couldn't land an elite option in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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With Dallas Goedert still an unrestricted free agent, the Eagles added not one, not two, but three tight ends to their roster in the hopes of finding a legitimate contributor or two for Mannion's offense, with Smartt joining Eagles draftee Grant Calcaterra and blocking specialist Johnny Mundt on a roster that also featured players like EJ Jenkins.
And then the Eagles added a pair of starting-caliber tight ends, and suddenly, it's a whole lot harder to imagine a world where Smartt is wearing midnight green on opening day.
With Dallas Goedert and Eli Stowers now expected to play the brunt of the Eagles' offensive snaps at tight end, with Mundt having an inside track to make the team as a blocker, Smartt and Calcaterra look like they're on the outside looking in, to the point where neither player might end up on the roster. If that looks like the case, Smartt may be allowed to find a new team in June instead of scrambling for a new one in August.
San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (25) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
RB Elijah Mitchell
And last but not least, of all the players on the Eagles' roster, the one least likely to make the roster if he's on the bubble is Elijah Mitchell, as he doesn't even have a month on the team thus far.
Signed to a contract on June 2, the Eagles mark Mitchell's fourth team over the past two years, going from the San Francisco 49ers, to the Kansas City Chiefs, and then the New England Patriots without logging a single regular season snap. At one time, Mitchell was an absolute force in Kyle Shanahan's offense, becoming a starter as a rookie, but he's been hit by injury after injury pretty much ever since, to the point where he's barely hanging on to the hopes of making an NFL roster at all.
Could Mitchell become a contributor for the Eagles? Sure, but if it looks like, say, Dameon Pierce has a better chance of making the 53-man roster, the Eagles may be willing to allow the former 49ers to take another crack at finding an NFL home in 2026, as at this point, he's running out of chances.
In the modern-day NFL, minicamp is mostly a fun way for NFL teams like the Philadelphia Eagles to get their players together, throw on some pads, and connect with their teammates, old and new.