5 Questions The Philadelphia Eagles Must Answer During 2016 NFL Training Camp

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off of a 2015 NFL season that saw them go 7-9 and miss the playoffs. It was a rough season, but it ended with Chip Kelly getting fired and the Eagles beginning a new era of football. Kelly simply wasn’t getting the job done, so the struggles that they went through could very well end up being a good thing.

Doug Pederson was hired as the new head coach of the Eagles and is excited to turn the franchise around. He is a great offensive mind and has put together a solid all-around coaching staff.

Looking at the roster, there are a few concerns and question marks as 2016 NFL training camp continues to draw closer.

Philadelphia is not going to have an easy road in the NFC East division. Dallas is going to be back looking to prove themselves with all of their primary talent healthy again. Both the New York Giants and Washington Redskins have a lot of talent, with the Redskins having the potential to win the division and make a run in the playoffs.

All of that being said, what five questions must the Philadelphia Eagles answer heading into 2016 NFL training camp?

Can Sam Bradford Turn His Career Around?

Sam Bradford is the starting quarterback for the Eagles this season and there are a lot of question marks surrounding him. He completed 65.0 percent of his passes last season for 3,725 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Those numbers are not going to get the job done and Bradford has to prove that he is capable of being a long-term starter for the Eagles.

Who Will Step Up And Grab The Starting Running Back Job

At this point in time, there is no running back that sticks out as the obvious starter for the Eagles. Ryan Matthews and Kenjon Barner are likely the front-runners, but rookie Wendell Smallwood could make a push for the job. Pederson has a lot of decisions to make in the backfield, and he needs one player to step up and separate themselves in training camp.

Will The Defensive Secondary Improve?

Philadelphia wasn’t the worst secondary in the NFL last season, but they certainly had a lot of work that needed to be done. They traded Byron Maxwell this offseason and there are major question marks at the cornerback position. If the Eagles want to be serious contenders to make it into the playoffs, they will need their secondary to come through with a big season.

Do The Eagles Have Enough Firepower At Wide Receiver?

Jordan Matthews was the Eagles’ leading wide receiver last season, but finished short of 1,000 receiving yards. That is a major concern for Philadelphia looking ahead to the 2016 season. Nelson Agholor will have to make major improvements, and free agency pickup Ruben Randle will be asked to handle a large role, but that certainly doesn’t mean that the Eagles will have enough firepower to go up against the better defenses around the league.

Will The Philadelphia Eagles Buy Into Doug Pederson’s System?

Every single time a coaching change is made, it is interesting to see how the team reacts and responds to the new coach. Doug Pederson has the potential to become one of the best coaches in football, but the team has to buy into his system. That will show in training camp and preseason action and hopefully the transition goes smoothly.

Do you think the Philadelphia Eagles are a serious contender to win the NFC East? Are they a playoff caliber team with all of the talent that the NFC possesses? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!

[Photo by AP Photo/Michael Perez]