Doug Pederson addressed the media on Monday, officially kicking off the Eagles 2020 training camp which will be held during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’ll be a different training camp and regular season for all 32 NFL teams, and it’ll be extremely difficult for the other three NFC East franchises who underwent changes to the coaching staffs and front offices.
While addressing the media on Monday, Pederson again addressed the elephant in the room and that’s the distinct advantage the Eagles have had during a COVID-shortened offseason.
“I’ve thought about that, with the new staffs, just in our division here and in our conference, and it’s got to be extremely tough not to be around,” Pederson said. “They spent a little bit of time, maybe a few weeks, way back in February and March, maybe together. It’d be hard.
“And then not having your players in the offseason, and trying to teach a new offense, defense, special teams, I’m sure is probably difficult in its own right. We’ve been blessed – I’ve been blessed – going into my fifth year here in Philadelphia and maintaining the staff that I have, and adding some great additions to the staff this year.
“And I think that our players are excited, because they’re not having to learn a new offense, defense, or special teams.
The Cowboys moved on from Jason Garrett and hired Mike McCarthey during the offseason, while the Giants hired a young coach in former Patriots special teams coach Joe Judge and the Washington franchise finally got it right landing Ron Rivera.
Pederson, Jim Schwartz, and Wentz have been together for five years now, while the rest of the division will continue to get acquainted while on the run.
It’ll be interesting to see when and if that advantage surfaces.
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