The Philadelphia Eagles defensive line is already wreaking havoc in training camp, and the season hasn’t even started yet. The story coming out of the NovaCare Complex is simple: barring any injury concerns, this unit is going to be very, very good. That’s even without edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who the Eagles traded for during the draft. When you think about it, this defensive front has been the anchor of the team for a couple of years now, and nothing about that is changing.

Vic Fangio is the godfather of this defense

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is a savant. The man has been around the game long enough to know exactly what he needs to do, and he has so much talent on that side of the ball to work with. So despite whatever the offense looks like early on, and maybe they don’t come out on fire to begin the season, Philadelphia should be in every single game because this defense is going to be top 3, top 5 in the NFL again.

Fangio’s track record speaks for itself. He’s been good enough over the years, he’s smart enough, and he will have these guys ready to go on Day 1. And if they’re already dominating like this in late July, imagine what the potential can look like once the regular season rolls around. A lot of these younger players have another year of maturity under their belt, another year of knowledge, another year of just playing together and building chemistry.

Eight sacks in one practice

Elliott Shurpark reported from Day 2 of camp, and the number is absurd. The Eagles defense had eight sacks in one training camp practice. Are you kidding me? Eight sacks. In one practice. That is insane.

Now, training camp stats always come with a grain of salt because the offense is still installing new concepts, and the quarterbacks are working through timing with new pass catchers. But that many sacks in a single session tells you everything you need to know about the mentality and the talent on this defensive line. These guys are flying around, and they’re doing it without Greenard even being out there yet.

When you add Greenard into the mix with Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and the rest of that front, this defense has a chance to be legitimately suffocating. We saw what Fangio’s scheme did last season when everything clicked. Now picture that same system with more depth, more experience, and more pass-rushing firepower.

This defense is going to be scary. And honestly, that might be exactly what carries the Eagles while the offense finds its footing with a new coordinator and a reshuffled receiving corps. Philadelphia doesn’t need to light up the scoreboard every week if Fangio’s defense is holding teams to 14, 17 points a game. That blueprint has worked in this league, and the Eagles are built to run it.

The Eagles are going to be just fine. The defense will make sure of it.