Eagles Fans: Say the Quiet Chris Kuper Part Out Loud
How the Eagles’ New Offensive Line Coach Chris Kuper Is Already Winning Over Philly Fans
The Big Picture: A New Coach with Big Shoes to Fill
Imagine you’re on a sports team, and your favorite coach—the one who helped everyone get really good—leaves. That’s exactly what happened with the Philadelphia Eagles. Their legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland left after many successful years.
Enter Chris Kuper, the new guy hired to replace him. But there was a problem: Kuper wasn’t kept by his previous team, the Minnesota Vikings. Some fans worried: "If the Vikings didn’t want him, why should we?"
Important Point
Chris Kuper was under more pressure than any other assistant coach in the NFL entering the 2026 season. Replacing a legend is never easy, and his recent departure from Minnesota made people nervous.
Why Everyone’s Talking About the "Backup" Guys
In football, the starting players usually get all the attention. But in the first two preseason games, something surprising happened: the backup offensive linemen looked amazing.
Game 1: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Loss 24-7)
Five backup linemen played 68 pass-blocking snaps combined. The result?
- Zero sacks allowed
- Zero quarterback hits
- Zero pressures (when the defense almost gets to the quarterback)
Game 2: vs. New England Patriots (Loss 24-21)
The same five players kept it up. Here’s the breakdown:
| Player | Snaps | Sacks Allowed | Pressures | Hurries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Majors | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Markel Bell | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Willie Lampkin | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Drew Kendall | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Micah Morris | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Total: Just 1 sack allowed across two full games!
Important Point
Kendall and Lampkin were pulled out of the second game early. In football, that usually means the coaches have seen enough—they’re confident these players have made the team.
Meet the Rising Stars
Markel Bell (Rookie)
- Position: Right Tackle
- Why he matters: Seen as the future replacement for Lane Johnson, the Eagles’ All-Pro right tackle
- Preseason performance: Flawless in pass protection
Micah Morris (Rookie)
- Position: Guard (can play both left and right)
- Why he matters: Provides insurance for Landon Dickerson, who had injury issues last year
- Preseason performance: Only player to allow a sack (1 in 20 snaps)—still very good for a rookie
Jake Majors
- Role: Hybrid backup (can play Center AND Guard)
- Why he matters: Versatility is gold in the NFL—he’s getting the most reps and performing well
Willie Lampkin & Drew Kendall
- Both look like locks for the 53-man roster after being pulled early in Game 2
It’s Not Just Pass Protection—The Run Game Is Working Too
Against the Patriots, these same five linemen opened holes for 90 rushing yards on 24 carries (3.75 yards per carry) and a touchdown.
Important Point
Last year, the Eagles’ backup offensive linemen struggled badly in preseason. This year? They’re dominating. That’s a direct reflection of coaching.
Why This Is Probably Chris Kuper’s Doing
You might wonder: How do we know this is because of Kuper and not just talented players?
Here’s the logical chain:
- OTAs & Training Camp → Kuper works with these players daily for months
- Preseason Games → Those same players execute at a high level immediately
- Year-over-Year Comparison → Last year’s backups struggled; this year’s excel with same/similar talent
- Technique & Consistency → All five showing similar discipline suggests shared coaching
The Bigger Lesson: Sometimes a Fresh Voice Helps
Jeff Stoutland was amazing. But sometimes, even great teams need:
- New teaching methods
- Different communication style
- Fresh energy and perspective
Kuper spent four years with the Vikings learning and developing his own coaching philosophy. Now he’s bringing that to Philadelphia—and early returns suggest it’s working.
Summary
- Chris Kuper replaced a legend and faced massive skepticism
- Backup offensive linemen have dominated two preseason games (1 sack allowed total)
- Rookies Bell and Morris look like future starters
- Run game and pass protection both improved dramatically vs. last year
- Kuper’s coaching during practice is the common denominator
- Early verdict: This might be the best coaching hire of 2026 for the Eagles
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Who is Chris Kuper?
A: A former NFL offensive lineman (played for the Denver Broncos) who became a coach. He spent the last four years coaching the offensive line for the Minnesota Vikings before the Eagles hired him in 2026.
Why were people worried about hiring him?
A: The Vikings chose not to keep him after the 2025 season. In sports, when a team lets a coach go, other teams sometimes wonder "what did they see that we don’t?" But the Eagles saw something they liked.
What are OTAs?
A: Organized Team Activities—these are official team practices in the offseason (spring). They’re voluntary but most players attend. It’s where coaches install their systems and teach techniques before training camp.
What does "pass-pro snaps" mean?
A: Pass protection snaps—these are plays where the offense throws the ball, and the offensive linemen’s job is to block defenders so the quarterback has time to throw. "68 pass-pro snaps" means 68 plays where they had to pass block.
Does preseason performance actually matter?
A: It’s not everything—preseason games don’t count in the standings, and starters barely play. BUT: for backup players fighting for roster spots, it’s their audition. Dominating against other teams’ backups is a very good sign for depth.
Who is Lane Johnson and why does his replacement matter?
A: Lane Johnson is one of the best right tackles in NFL history and a future Hall of Famer. He’s in his 30s, so the Eagles need to find his successor now so they’re ready when he retires. Markel Bell looking good is huge for the team’s future.
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