Apparently the Eagles think leadership will be really important in 2020 because they have more captains this year than ever before.
The Eagles have named eight (!) captains for the 2020 season — 3 on offense, 3 on defense and 2 on special teams. In the past few seasons, since they began having captains, they have had just five each year.
Here are this year’s eight:
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
- Carson Wentz
- Jason Kelce
- Jason Peters
- Fletcher Cox
- Brandon Graham
- Rodney McLeod
- Duke Riley
- Craig James
And the process was different this year too. In previous seasons, players voted for captains. This year, head coach Doug Pederson simply named them.
"It's a little bit of a different approach this year," Pederson said to the Eagles’ website. "It is important to me to select players who are great leaders, who are going to be captains all year. I felt like these gentlemen represented what we're looking for in the way they've worked so hard and led the way for the team on and off the field. It's a group I'm proud to call our captains for the season."
Here’s a closer look at Pederson’s choices:
NFL
Offense
Carson Wentz: The franchise quarterback is a captain for the fourth straight year. But he has taken on an even bigger leadership role in 2020. He has also worked very hard to endear himself to all of his teammates.
Jason Kelce: This is Kelce’s third time being a team captain. The 2011 draft pick is one of the longest-tenured Eagles and has put together a great career in Philly. He has been the glue for the offensive line this offseason as injuries have already disrupted that group.
Jason Peters: Peters is the addition among the offense. While he wasn’t a captain last year, the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer already had the respect of his teammates and had been a captain before. His selfless gesture to move from right guard to left tackle without a reworked contract to start the season clearly meant a lot to Pederson. He’s the longest-tenured Eagle and one of the longest-tenured athletes in the city.
Defensive
Fletcher Cox: This is the third straight year as a captain for Cox, who has been to the last five Pro Bowls. It’s hard to believe but this is Cox’s ninth season in Philly.
Brandon Graham: Graham is back at the captain’s table. But he’s been with the Eagles since 2010 and is a tremendous leader. Even though he’s 32, Graham refuses to take any practice time off and is always bringing energy.
Rodney McLeod: With the departure of Malcolm Jenkins, McLeod has really stepped up in his leadership role. That obviously extends off the field into areas of social and racial injustice. But on the field, McLeod is the only member of the secondary returning to his position. He has a big responsibility in 2020.
Special teams
Duke Riley: After Kamu Grugier-Hill went down for the season late last year, Riley was elevated to the special teams captain. He won over his teammates in a relatively short period of time and is definitely a locker room favorite. Even though he’s a starter on defense, he is a special teams captain again.
Craig James: It’s been a great week for Craig James. He got a contract extension, made the team over a couple of high draft picks and now he’s named a captain. James has really won over the coaching staff. Right now, he’s a top backup corner and the top gunner on the punt team.
The Eagles began naming captains in 2017. Here are the Eagles captains for each season:
2017: Carson Wentz, Jason Peters, Malcolm Jenkins, Brandon Graham, Chris Maragos
2018: Carson Wentz, Jason Kelce, Malcolm Jenkins, Fletcher Cox, Kamu Grugier-Hill
2019: Carson Wentz, Jason Kelce, Malcolm Jenkins, Fletcher Cox, Kamu Grugier-Hill/Duke Riley
2020: Carson Wentz, Jason Kelce, Jason Peters, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Rodney McLeod, Duke Riley, Craig James