Eagles will not have joint training camp practices this year, says Doug Pederson

Earlier this week, ESPN suggested that we might see the two teams from Super Bowl LII face off in joint training camp practices at the New England Patriots’ facility this summer.

Prior to the Eagles’ minicamp practice on Wednesday, Doug Pederson was asked if the Eagles will have any joint training camp practices.

His response?

“No.”

Why?

“Because.”

Boom. Crusher Doug strikes again.

Pederson did elaborate a little more when pressed further on the topic.

“I don’t think it’s an every year thing. I think last year [with the Dolphins] was great for us. It was a great change-up for us to go against Miami. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Teams are already booked, teams are already full, teams are already doing other things. For us, it’s just get better as a team.”

Prior to Pederson’s arrival in Philly, joint training camp practices were a common thing during the Chip Kelly era. The Eagles practiced against the Patriots in Philly in 2013 before heading up to their Massachusetts facility in 2014. Then the Baltimore Ravens came to town before the 2015 season.

The Eagles did not hold joint training camp practices in Pederson’s first year on the job back in 2016. They did practice with the Dolphins last summer in Philadelphia.

During the 2017 season, some Eagles players pinpointed the practices against Miami as the moment when they knew they were bound to have a special season. The pratices also benefited the Eagles in the sense that the team got an up-close look at Jay Ajayi, whom they eventually traded for before the NFL trade deadline.

The feeling here is that the Eagles may have been a little more receptive to having joint training camp practices if they weren’t playing away in both their second and third preseason games. They probably prefer to host them in Philly. In any case, it’s a no go this year.

The Eagles have yet to officially announce their entire 2018 training camp schedule, though that information will likely be revealed soon.

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