Another major challenge for the Eagles is Browns DE Myles Garrett. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Garrett was named the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, the first Browns player to win the award.
No amount of preparation can fully ready the Eagles for Garrett. Through two joint practices, the Eagles' offensive line witnessed Garrett's ability to rush the passer and apply pressure. Eagles T Lane Johnson has gone against Garrett a handful of times in the last few years and knows the challenge of going up against him.
"Anytime you can go against one of the best guys, maybe ever, on the edge, definitely have your work cut out," Johnson said. "You gotta get off the ball or it's gonna be a long day for you."
Offensive lineman Tyler Steen agrees with Johnson and said the prospect of lining up against Garrett brought extra adrenaline in joint practices. Steen is only in his second season of the NFL, making Garrett even more jarring.
"It's definitely a little different," Steen said. "Everybody is on high alert when you see him on the field. Obviously, you see what he's done throughout his career but then when you see him on the field and you see him move, you see the power that he plays with, it's just different. Definitely concerning to see him on the field for sure."
T Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player who had never played football before being drafted by the Eagles in 2018, believes facing Garrett in joint practices has helped him personally improve.
"There's nothing like Myles, he's just a freak," Mailata said.