August 06, 2026
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke with reporters for the second time during 2026 training camp. As always, he did not shy away from answering questions honestly, so, you know, let's round up the most important nuggets.
Hunt said on Monday that he added muscle this offseason. Smith said he "put on some LBs." So, Fangio was asked if they did that on their own or if that was a team directive, and if so, why?
"I don't think they have," he replied. "Jalyx is weighing the same that he was last year. Nolan came back in the spring heavier and now he's back down to where he should be.
#JimmySays: So, Hunt added muscle without gaining weight overall. Smith showed up in the spring above the team's desired weight.
"He's had a good camp up to this point," Fangio said. "He's doing the little things better, which when you're in good shape, the little things are done better because when you're not in good shape and you're just kind of getting through practice, the little things suffer. I think he's doing a much, much better job and I'm really excited for what the possibilities are with him."
#JimmySays: It would certainly make sense for Carter to show up to spring practices in shape, and not give the team any reason not to do a monster contract extension. Still, credit Carter for putting himself in position to have a big season.
(In my opinion, Carter has been an absolute beast so far.)
Fangio also talked about the shape that Jordan Davis is in.
"It first started towards the end of the '24 season," he said. "He got in better shape. He's a much better pass rusher in the 330's than what he was. That, to me, is the biggest thing. He's 6'6", right? What is he? 6'5" — We'll call it 6'6" for discussion. He needs to be 6'6" when it's to his advantage, and he needs to bend his knees and be 6'3" when he needs to be. When you're in better shape, weighing less, that's easier to do and you can do it for a longer time. That's what's made his game take off."
"It's just experience, knowledge and know-how of the defense, Fangio said of the difference between Mukuba this year and last year. "You might look and say, 'Man, he looks quicker. He's in better shape. This, that.' I think it's just the thought process [speeding] up, comfortability with the defense and what he has to do. He's in a little bit better shape too."
#JimmySays: I haven't often seen Mukuba beaten through the first six practices. He is having a sneaky-good camp, in sort of a quiet way.
"Michael's had a good camp so far," Fangio said. "He might be the only guy — I'd have to think — he's learning three positions. He's playing safety, nickel, and when we do go to our six-DB stuff, he's the sixth DB in there. I think he's had a very good camp and has done nothing but helped himself and not eliminating himself from anything. At safety, he's progressing nicely."
#JimmySays: Michael Carter is a legitimate player. At one point during his career with the Jets he signed a three-year extension worth $30.75 million. Maybe that wasn't a good idea by the Jets, but it's not as if this guy is some bottom of the roster player just hoping to make the team. He's going to play in games, even if the Eagles' defensive backs stay healthy.
"Don't sleep on Chance now," Fangio said. "You guys, when you make your list out there, we like Chance. Chance is a good football player. He had some injuries earlier in his career that set him back. Since the day we picked him up last year, he's shown that he's a football player and we like him. Interestingly, last year we picked him up the last week of the preseason. I don't remember the exact date. It was just a few days before the game, and he didn't need that acclimation period."
#JimmySays: I'm awake, Vic. Campbell was on my pre-camp 53-man roster projection.
Zach Berman of The Athletic publishes a great yearly feature in which he asks Eagles regulars which scout team players stood out to them. Last year, Chance Campbell got love from Saquon Barkley, Jordan Mailata, Cam Jurgens, Brett Toth, Moro Ojomo, Jahan Dotson, Jihaad Campbell, Jalyx Hunt, and Grant Calcaterra.
As Fangio noted, the Eagles signed Campbell in late August last year, so we didn't really get a good look at him in camp. He spent the entire season on the practice squad. Campbell is 6'2, 232, and he's a good athlete:
He was a Titans sixth-round pick in 2022, but missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. He was on and off the roster in 2023, until he suffered a pregame injury in November, ending his season. And then in 2024 he missed the entire season with a torn ACL suffered in training camp. So, you know, he's injury prone.
But if he can stay healthy the Eagles might have themselves a find.
"Trot's had a very good camp," Fangio said. "Trot, to me, along the same lines as we talked about with Mukuba, looking better, moving better, playing better. I just think it's not so much a conditioning and physical thing. It's more of [he] knows what he's doing, seeing things quicker, faster, and playing faster. He's had an excellent camp. It's the best I've seen him look since we've had him."
#JimmySays: Even after losing Nakobe Dean in free agency, the Eagles still have good depth at off-ball linebacker.
We noted in our last Vic post that he got a mango water ice after practice. On Wednesday he was headed toward the Rita's truck again, and I asked, "Mango again?" He reluctantly acknowledged, "Yeah, probably."
#Journalizin'.
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