The Philadelphia Eagles get their first opportunity to showcase a new-look offence in their season opener against the Atlanta Falcons tonight, with quarterback Sam Bradford making his debut as one of many new faces.
Philadelphia swapped quarterbacks with the St. Louis Rams in the offseason, sending Nick Foles in exchange for fifth-year man Bradford. After missing 15 games and underwhelming in his time with St. Louis, Bradford gets a new, quarterback-friendly offensive system.
Bradford is just one of many new players who will make their first appearance in a Philadelphia uniform against Atlanta.
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Joining him in the backfield will be running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews, both having arrived via free agency to fill the void left by former franchise back LeSean McCoy, traded to Buffalo for linebacker Kiko Alonso.
“Every offseason there’s always turnover on a team,” said Eagles coach Chip Kelly.
“I don’t think turnover when it’s finally settled and how many players we have new, it’s not really different than any other team. It’s just the nature of the business.”
The Falcons’ defence will have an immediate test under first-time head coach Dan Quinn, who served as defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks the past two seasons.
Quinn is expected to improve a unit in Atlanta which allowed the passing yards per game in the league last year with 279.9, as well as the most yards overall with 398.3.
The second act of Monday Night Football will feature Adrian Peterson’s return to the field for the Minnesota Vikings as they face the San Francisco 49ers.
Peterson played in only one game last season before being suspended for a child abuse case, forcing him to sit out and leaving Minnesota without much of a run game to aid quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are under new leadership with Jim Tomsula replacing Jim Harbaugh as coach.